North Carolina residents on board with commercial casinos

Article by : Charles Perrin Mar 21, 2024

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North Carolina has received approval from its residents to push ahead with legalizing commercial casinos.

According to the results of a recent survey carried out by polling firm Survey USA, more than one in two residents would be in favor of bringing Las Vegas-style casino resorts to the state.

Roughly 850 adults were canvassed for their opinions, and the poll deduced that 55% of correspondents strongly supported the initiative.

Only 28% objected to the erection of commercial casinos, while 16% of those surveyed were unsure or undecided.

In gauging support, men were the biggest proponents of legalizing commercial casinos, with 61% of respondents giving their approval.

The Survey USA poll isn’t the only poll to have taken place to establish if there is a general consensus for commercial casinos. Last month, the Meredith Poll from the private women’s liberal arts college in Raleigh, shared its findings, illustrating that 57% of North Carolinian voters would lend their support to commercial casinos.

Commercial gambling, nevertheless, is firmly on the agenda. State Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) spearheaded the 2023 casino effort as he sought to bring commercial casinos to the rural counties of Rockingham, Anson, and Nash.

However, Berger’s gambling push failed as fellow GOP lawmakers insisted that consideration of expanding gambling options in the state should not be tagged onto the state’s budget bill.

The North Carolina General Assembly is set to convene next month for the 2024 legislative session where commercial gambling will come into strong focus.

At the moment, the Tar State is home to three tribal casinos. In the meantime, gamblers have to drive to neighboring Virginia should they wish to play slots and table games.

While there is some hostility towards commercial gambling from a political perspective from North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein (D), the potential economic benefits shouldn’t be overlooked.

Ultimately, this story has a long way to go, but the poll results make for interesting reading.