Due to term limits, Democratic North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper will not be on the November ballot.
But recently, the two likely candidates running for the office–Republican Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson and Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein–outlined their positions on expanding gambling in the state to the Charlotte News & Observer. Both expressed a cautious approach.
The newspaper asked, “Would you sign a bill allowing additional casinos and legalizing video gambling machines, and why or why not.”
Robinson replied, “With any future gaming legislation, it needs to be evaluated based on its potential economic and social impacts, and the people will need to have their voices heard by their elected representatives, be it by municipal, county or other local leaders, or by legislators and other state officials.”
Stein responded, “I believe every North Carolinian should have a fair shot at prosperity, to get a good-paying job or start a small business anywhere in our state, including small towns. We need to invest in infrastructure, a clean energy economy and good-paying jobs in every corner of the state, and make sure our rural counties have access to good health care and strong public schools. Building a more durable economy for our rural communities is a better winning economic development strategy than casinos.”
The subject may be moot since no specific gambling bills have been filed ahead of the upcoming 2024 legislative session. Senate leader and casino proponent Phil Berger has said he will not file any gaming bills in the work session that starts in late April. Berger added he has not had a discussion with any colleague that “leads me to believe that somebody is going to champion moving forward” with expanded gambling legislation.
House Speaker Tim Moore said there have been conversations about bringing back a bill authorizing video lottery terminals, which was the highlight of a measure last year that “just kind of went totally off the rails,” he said.
That legislation also would have permitted four more casinos across the state. Moore noted a fiscal analysis by the General Assembly staff indicated video lottery terminals could generate more than $400 million in annual gaming tax revenue for the state by mid-2028.
Berger said although some lawmakers may be discussing video lottery machines again, there may not be enough time in the upcoming session to put together the legislation. Typically, legislative sessions in even-numbered years last only two or three months. Berger said, “Some of that may need a little more runway than what we’ll have for the short session.”
In addition, observers noted because 2024 is an election year, lawmakers are likely to be wary of introducing controversial topics that could affect their campaigns, like expanded gambling.
Still, recent surveys indicate a growing majority of North Carolinians support more casinos. And the online gaming publication NCSharp has found commercial casinos in the state would boost property values in host counties.
Currently, legal gambling options in North Carolina include sports betting, which will debut March 11; casino gambling at three casinos operated by two Native American tribes; the North Carolina Educational Lottery; daily fantasy sports; and charitable bingo.
