Senate Passes Video Gambling Ban

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Senate Passes Video Gambling Ban

Special Report - June 22, 2010
Last night, the North Carolina Senate overwhelmingly passed a more explicit ban on video gambling in North Carolina. According to HB 80—Ban Electronic Sweepstakes sponsor Sen. Josh Stein (D–Wake), “the bill bans electronic sweepstakes and it eliminates any uncertainty created by the superior court.”

The General Assembly first outlawed gambling more than 200 years ago, and expanded the ban to include slot machines in 1937. In 2006, the legislature explicitly banned video poker. Since that time, two Superior Court judges have issued injunctions against applying that ban to a new form of gambling known as Internet sweepstakes. In committee, in a press conference, and on the Senate floor, Stein emphasized the importance of the legislature acting “to make crystal clear for once and for all that running a sweepstakes casino is illegal.” After approving an amendment to clarify that the prohibition would not apply to legitimate sweepstakes by retailers like grocery stores, soda bottle companies, and restaurants, the Senate voted 47–1 to send the bill to the House for consideration.

“We thank the Senators who voted to protect North Carolina families by strengthening and clarifying the state’s ban on such predatory and harmful gambling activities as those conducted at these sweepstakes parlors around the state,” said Bill Brooks, president of the North Carolina Family Policy Council. “Gambling destroys families. It is an addictive activity for many that causes the gambler to be unresponsive to the needs of their families and to put scarce family resources toward the unlikely chance of hitting it big. These illegal gambling activities have already spread like cancer around North Carolina in only a few short months. This bill is a welcome response to support North Carolina families in making wise decisions to provide for their families in these difficult economic times.”