Stalled Efforts to Expand Gambling in North Carolina Amid Political Tensions
North Carolina’s online sports betting market is off to a rocky start, and the likelihood of further expanding legalized gambling in the state this year appears slim. House Speaker Tim Moore suggested that last year’s legislative gridlock could stymie progress in 2024.
Political Disagreements and Budget Issues
The state has been considering extending casino gambling, but efforts have been hampered by political disagreements. Last year, Republican opposition halted a push to legalize commercial casino gambling and install video lottery terminals (VLTs) in locations such as restaurants and bars.
Moore noted that gaming is the primary issue holding up the state budget, indicating significant political hurdles remain.
Moore, who initially supported Senate President pro tempore Phil Berger’s proposal to add a casino amendment to the 2023-25 state budget, has since retracted his support.
Berger’s plan would have allocated multiple casino licenses to The Cordish Companies, aiming to keep gambling revenue within the state rather than losing it to neighboring states like Virginia.
Estimates suggested that VLT legalization could generate about $1 billion annually for North Carolina.
Internal Divisions and Legislative Gridlock
Despite public support for casino expansion, internal divisions among House Republicans have created a roadblock. Concerns were raised about the transparency of the process, with some legislators feeling excluded from behind-the-scenes negotiations. This lack of consensus led to “hard feelings,” diminishing legislative support for the proposal.
In February, Berger acknowledged that he would not pursue the casino legislation again this year, leaving the decision to the House. He indicated that there had been little progress in discussions, making significant advancements before the legislative session ends in July seem unlikely.
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