NC Senator That Backed Casino Expansion Changes Direction

Article by : Erik Gibbs Feb 15, 2024

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Senate leader Phil Berger has shifted his stance on introducing more casinos in North Carolina, stating a lack of specific intent for the upcoming short legislative session in April. In the previous long session, a standoff over the inclusion of casino legalization in the $30 billion state budget marked a significant issue.

Despite Berger’s advocacy for casino legalization, Speaker Tim Moore expressed reservations about securing sufficient votes for casino approval within the budget. Opposition arose from Democrats and local residents, particularly in counties identified for potential casinos, including Berger’s Rockingham County.

Currently, casinos are limited to tribal lands in the state’s western region. Berger had previously supported statewide casino legalization to prevent neighboring states, like Virginia, from drawing potential revenue away.

Virginia plans to open a new casino in Danville, just 20 miles from Rockingham. Following extensive deliberations, the Senate conceded, leading to the exclusion of casinos from the budget.

The compromise on the budget, announced by legislative leaders and omitting casinos, prompted Senate leader Phil Berger to suggest a potential revisit during the next year’s short session, as reported by various sources.

Berger emphasized that proponents had overlooked the prospective revenue and job advantages for rural counties. He added that, at that time, it became evident that the facts were nearly secondary in considering the impact of those proposals on rural areas.

Berger displayed diminished enthusiasm for casino legalization during Wednesday’s session. While there is ongoing interest in exploring new revenue sources for the state, he clarified that he had not identified a lawmaker championing a casino bill and expressed a lack of intent to pursue specific actions.

Open to developments initiated by others, he acknowledged the need for more time and consideration, especially for aspects related to gambling terminals, within the constraints of the short session.

On the House side, Moore echoed these sentiments, emphasizing increased discussions about Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) in comparison to casinos. Moore reflected on the previous year’s casino bill, noting its significant derailment.

However, despite the withdrawn support, it doesn’t appear that North Carolina is going to slow down. It’s getting ready to launch its sports betting market on March 11, and that will likely be a precursor to expanded gambling in the state this year or next.