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Video Poker and Perdue Lottery This week, the North Carolina “Education” Lottery requested details from gambling companies on running casino-style video gambling across the state in the event that the General Assembly and Governor Beverly Perdue opt to legalize and regulate what has long been considered the most predatory form of gambling and that is currently outlawed. While this move is not a formal request for operational bids, it does open up communication with gambling companies that are able to operate video lottery terminals and suggests that such a plan may be given serious consideration in the coming months. According to the Associated Press, Governor Perdue is considering a proposal that the State legalize and regulate video gambling, rather than continue to outlaw it, in order to generate revenue. Even though many legislators have previously opposed legalizing video gambling, the proposal may have gained traction in recent months, as the state faces an estimated $3.5 billion dollar budget shortfall. Executive Director of the North Carolina “Education” Lottery, Alice Garland, told the media that the lottery does not have a position on whether the state should legalize and regulate video gambling, but is being precautionary in taking the steps to be prepared—should such a measure be approved this legislative session. Next Monday night, February 14, Governor Perdue will give her biennial “State of the State” address to the full General Assembly and is expected to give an outline of her budget recommendations for state legislators. Her formal budget recommendations will be released in full later next week. “Governor Perdue and the General Assembly should resist the urge to add another layer of gambling to the State lottery, based on its predatory nature of gambling in general and video poker in particular,” said Bill Brooks, president of the North Carolina Family Policy Council. “We have confidence in the ability of legislators to balance our State budget with responsible decisions, rather than creating thousands more problem gamblers and further preying on struggling North Carolina families.”Related resources: Video Poker Perdue Lottery. Copyright © 2011. North Carolina Family Policy Council. All rights reserved.
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