The games would take cash to buy credits, but would not be allowed to pay out cash directly. The games would have to be considered “lottery games” by the North Carolina Lottery Commission. The bill would legalize machines that simulate games of chance, like someone might see on the casino floor in Las Vegas or Atlantic City. A temporary casino in Danville, Virginia, not far from the Triangle and the Triad regions, opened May 15. Virginia plans to open four Vegas-style casinos along the North Carolina border in the coming years. Lawmakers are also keeping an eye on North Carolina’s neighbor to the north. Support for the proposals does not break down along party lines, with detractors coming from both sides of the aisle.

Senate leaders could pick up debate on that bill as soon as this week.īut gambling is still a sensitive topic in the General Assembly. The House already passed a bill that would legalize betting on sports in North Carolina. Gambling has been a big topic for the legislature so far this year. The committee did not take a vote on the bill Tuesday. Legalizing these types of gambling machines would help shut down illegal gambling or sweepstakes parlors, he said. 'For more than a decade, the General Assembly’s been trying to close down now what we refer to as sweepstakes parlors across the state,' Warren told the House Commerce Committee. He proposed a similar bill in the last General Assembly session two years ago, but that never made it to the floor. Harry Warren is the only sponsor of the legislation.

The Senate could take it up as soon as this week

A separate bill to legalize betting on sports already passed the House.

The bill got its first House committee hearing Tuesday afternoon, but the members did not take a vote.

Revenue from the lottery-style games would fund North Carolina's HBCUs and scholarships for community college students.

A bill in the North Carolina House would legalize digital games of chance, similar to Vegas-style electronic slot machines.

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