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Earlier this month, North Carolina lawmakers passed legislation to legalize sports gambling and horse race wagering, which Governor Roy Cooper signed on Wednesday, June 14. It was the most significant gambling expansion in socially conservative North Carolina since casino gambling was federally mandated on Cherokee lands in 1997 and a state-operated lottery passed by the North Carolina General Assembly in 2006.

Pro-family organizations like the Christian Action League of North Carolina, a long-time friend of AFA, now are saying that there are serious discussions among legislative leaders to take the gambling expansion even further this year.

N.C. House Speaker Tim Moore recently told reporters that legislators would “take a look at” legalizing casinos this session. Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs), which the state fought desperately to eliminate, may also be brought back.

Phil Berger, Senate President Pro-Tempore, told the press that since a new casino had opened on North Carolina’s border in Danville, Virginia, his state would need to consider legalizing casinos this session to recoup the money that would be lost to Virginia.

The Christian Action League confirms this gambling threat is genuine. Casinos would likely be authorized for Rockingham, Anson, Nash, and Robeson counties, although these locations could change.

In a recent editorial published by the Charlotte Observer, former Speaker Pro-Tempore, Paul “Skip” Stam also sounded the alarm, saying:

They could even allow gas stations, convenience stores, supermarkets, bars, and restaurants to begin carrying slots [video lottery terminals] and other casino-style games. Do we really want to allow so many N.C. businesses to turn into mini casinos when we haven’t studied the effects that sports betting may have on our communities? There are a lot of potential harms that can come from moving too fast on this issue.

Legalizing gambling in a community can have several adverse effects. It can lead to gambling addictions and increased crimes like theft and embezzlement. Casinos can also exacerbate economic inequality, as low-income individuals are likelier to experience gambling debt. Moreover, gambling contributes to social problems like domestic violence and suicide. While states rely on gambling revenues for taxes, this form of taxation is considered regressive and disproportionately affects low-income individuals who cannot afford to gamble.

Please call your lawmakers in the North Carolina House and Senate, urging them to discourage and reject any legislation that would increase gambling in our beloved state. All contacts are imperative, but it is vital if you live in Rockingham, Anson, Nash, or Robeson counties. Please call today.

Your call can make a difference and the message to your lawmaker is simple: “Gambling is not good. Please do not approve any more gambling legislation this year. My family and I are very much against it.” Be sure to identify yourself and where you live. Remember to be firm but polite in your messaging.

Please act now! Time is of the essence! The legislative session will likely end within the next two weeks.

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