Video Poker Banned from North Carolina

Special Report - July 3, 2007
The culmination of years of work to eliminate from North Carolina what many gambling experts refer to as the “crack cocaine” of gambling, came to fruition on Sunday, July 1. This date marked the last stage in a year-long phase-out of video gambling machines that was passed by the North Carolina General Assembly in June 2006.

“We are delighted to see this day finally arrive,” said John Rustin, director of government relations for the North Carolina Family Policy Council. “The Council, the North Carolina Sherrifs’ Association, and many others have worked with lawmakers since the 2000 session to eradicate this highly addictive form of gambling from our state.”

Some news stories have suggested that the video poker ban will simply force gambling machines underground to be used in illegal back-room gambling operations. Rustin responded, “Unlike the law before July 1, the mere possession of these machines is now illegal. They should have been moved out of the state already, and any that remain are subject to seizure by law enforcement officers. It is a bright-line test: if you have a video gambling machine, you are breaking the law.”

The video poker ban does include an exemption for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, which operates a gambling casino in Western North Carolina.

Copyright © 2007. North Carolina Family Policy Council. All rights reserved.