After lengthy discussions among North Carolina legislators surrounding adding casino expansion to the state budget, House Speaker Tim Moore and Governor Roy Cooper want to move forward with the budget without including state casinos and expanded gambling, according to a local report in The News & Observer.
Lawmakers met for several hours this week to tackle the proposed budget plans. Although the state Senate has pushed for casino expansion and its inclusion in the new budget, the House is not on board.
Moore told The News & Observer that the House would not pass a new state budget that included gaming. He also noted that “there are 30 House Republicans who will not vote for a budget that includes legalizing up to four new casinos as well as video lottery terminals in other locations.”
Moore went on to say that casino expansion in the state budget has held up the approval process. He described the matter as “the only thing holding up the budget.”
State lawmakers and lobbyists have brought up increased casino activity across state borders as a compelling reason to allow for new casino construction in North Carolina.
Part of the motivation to open a regulated sports betting market was due to pre-existing gambling throughout the state, as well as the opportunity to provide a safe space for an already present market.
However, several Rockingham County residents have pushed back against new casino construction, expressing concerns that the new addition could negatively impact other local businesses.
More than 3,000 Rockingham Country residents have signed an online petition on change.org to block casino development.
