FRANKFORT — The influential Catholic Conference of Kentucky began backpedaling Monday from a bill that opponents claim would expand gambling just as much as the proposal for casinos at horse tracks.

        Jane Chiles, executive director of the public policy organization of the Catholic church, issued a statement that apologized for what she said was an “apparent inconsistency” in supporting legislation to expand gambling conducted by charities and opposing the proposal to place slot machines at race tracks.

        “The Catholic Conference's commitment to oppose any gaming expansion includes charitable gaming,” Ms. Chiles said. “In no way will the Catholic community lobby to expand charitable gaming and at the same time oppose slots at the tracks or any place else.”

        The Catholic Conference has been in an uncomfortable position on gambling for some time. Individual Catholic parishes hold a large number of state licenses to conduct gambling for charity, meaning they operate bingo games, sell pull tabs and hold casino nights.

        On the other hand, the Catholic Conference is also a member of Citizens Against Gambling Expansion, the leading opponent of legislation that would let Kentucky's eight horse tracks open slot-machine casinos.

        The contradiction came to a point with the filing of legislation on behalf of the state Department of Charitable Gaming, which regulates the bingo halls. The legislation would raise the prize limitations and critics say it would open the door to slot machines at bingo halls.

        Rep. Jim Callahan, D-Wilder, prime sponsor of the race track legislation, said it appeared religious groups were being hypocritical

        Ms. Chiles said when the Catholic Conference endorsed the bill, it had not recognized the likelihood it would mean expanded gambling by charities. Ms. Chiles said the staff has now “recognized the excess of the bill” and would work to “create a version that does not include any gaming expansion.”

        Most of the charitable gambling legislation is technical, dealing with such items as reporting procedures.

        Unlike the race-track gambling bill, which has lain dormant since its introduction two weeks ago, the charitable gaming legislation has already been approved by a House committee.

        Race tracks, which have privately criticized religious groups for opposing their gambling bill while promoting their own, did not return telephone calls for comment on Monday.

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