The House gave initial approval Wednesday to legislation authorizing sports betting and the deadline for amendments to the bill [was] 5 p.m. Wednesday, according to the House clerk’s office.

Shortly after the House Ways and Means Committee voted 28-0 to advance its version of a sports betting bill (H 3977), the House accepted the changes and teed the bill up for debate and consideration of amendments on Thursday. The bill, which would inch Massachusetts closer to joining most neighboring states where wagering on sports is already allowed, is expected to clear the House, which has signed off on sports betting before.

The Senate, which has been reluctant to take up the topic, has not set a day for its debate.