Eastern North Carolina county seeks to slow down casino plans

The Nash County Board of Commissioners has called for a referendum on whether a casino should be built in their community.

Politicians in an Eastern North Carolina county are demanding that residents get to vote on a potential casino sited for the area.

Late last week, the Nash County Board of Commissioners voted 6-1 for a resolution calling for a referendum on whether a proposed casino should move forward.

The vote came after reports that Republicans in the North Carolina Assembly were working on legislation that would allow casinos in Nash, Anson and Rockingham counties. For now, commercial casinos are banned in North Carolina, although three tribal casinos operate in the state.

Nash County is an intriguing location for a potential casino because Interstate 95 runs through the county, between Nashville and Rocky Mount.

Nash County Board of Commissioners Chair Robbie Davis has reportedly said the county board has not been approached about the casino and knows little about it.

Apparently, Nash County cannot hold a referendum on its own. It would need the state legislature to approve the request.

Rocky Mount Mayor Sand Robertson has publicly supported the casino proposal. The gambling consultant Spectrum Gaming Group released a report in March that found that three general casinos could generate $336m to $589m in annual tax revenue.  

Three years ago in Virginia, four locations – Bristol, Danville, Portsmouth and Norfolk – held referendums on whether casinos should be built in their areas. All passed.

Elena Rodriguez

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