Last fall, North Carolina Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger attempted to attach a casino amendment to the state’s 2023-2025 budget bill. The measure, which would have allowed gaming licenses for Rockingham, Anson and Nash counties, would generate regional economic activity and keep North Carolina gamblers from spending money in Virginia, Berger said.
Although numerous polls indicated residents supported commercial casinos, House Republicans suggested Berger made a backroom deal with Maryland-based Cordish Companies, allowing it to develop casinos in the three targeted counties.
House Speaker Tim Moore, who is running for Congress and who initially supported Berger’s casino amendment, said the incident caused considerable controversy, with numerous House lawmakers stating the issue should have been handled with more transparency.
While considering a video lottery terminal bill that would allow the machines in restaurants and bars, Moore said “hard feelings” regarding Berger’s casino efforts have led to less support for expanded gaming.
He said, “I think the conversation last year as it related to casinos could overshadow the discussion about updates to the lottery with VLTs.”
Berger said the defeat of his amendment plus supporters’ threats to finance a primary challenger in his 2024 re-election bid mean he will not pursue casino legislation in the current session, which will run from April 24 and through the end of July.
