The North Carolina House recently voted 78-38 to approve a bill that would allow nonprofits to operate casino-style games at “game nights” in restaurants, bars, social clubs and other facilities licensed to serve alcohol. The legislation now will move to the Senate.
The proposed law states instead of cash, winners would receive chips that could be converted to raffle tickets. The nonprofits could hold four game nights a year.
Under current state law, games of chance are illegal except for the state lottery, Harrah’s Cherokee casinos and some bingo. The nonprofit game nights still would not be allowed to take place near the Cherokee casinos.
The bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Jamie Boles, said the measure is necessary because in some locations, prosecutors are not enforcing the law and shutting down these events.
Earlier the bill passed out of the House Finance Committee despite opposition from anti-gambling groups who said current gambling laws should be enforced.
