In an effort to convince North Carolina lawmakers to expand legal sports betting, a pair of former players for the Charlotte Hornets along with the team president did a knock-on-doors campaign.
Players Muggsy Bogues and Dell Curry along with Fred Whitfield talked about the benefits of such gambling, even in the face of opposition. Don Waddell, president and general manager of the Carolina Hurricanes, also lent his support. PNC Arena could become a sports betting hub, he said.
“Gambling happens everywhere,” Waddell said. “Legalize it. Get rid of the next-door neighbor bookies and make it safer. I think it’s a win-win for everybody.”
In a WRAL Investigates series, the North Carolina Education Lottery said legalization could add millions to the state coffers.
But John Rustin, president of the North Carolina Family Policy Council, said such betting would bring corruption and an erosion of values. He says research indicates the more prevalent gambling is, the more citizens are going to gamble and that gambling can result in addiction, bankruptcy and even domestic violence and suicide.
The only legal sports betting in the state takes place at the Cherokee casinos in Western Carolina.
