New Tribal Casino In North Carolina? Highly Likely, If Tribal Members Vote For It
Simple majority needed in Tuesday special election, Lumbee Tribe pushing for ‘yes’ votes
The midterm elections are still more than four months away, but there are seven states holding primaries, runoffs, or local elections this Tuesday. And while June 23 is not an election day in North Carolina statewide, there is one special election for a specific segment of the population in the Tar Heel State that is of particular interest to the gambling world.
Members of the Lumbee Tribe — of which there are about 55,000 — are eligible to vote on an amendment that would open the door for the tribe to build a casino-resort in Robeson County, which is in the southern part of the state, bordering South Carolina. The tribe has already introduced a proposal for the development, which would include not just the casino, but also two hotels, condominiums, a convention/entertainment center, a golf course, and a museum and heritage center.
If a simple majority votes “yes,” that changes the Lumbee Constitution to allow the tribe to pursue the proposal. Polls are open until 7:30 p.m. local time.
Lumbee Tribal Chairman John L. Lowery released a video statement in May, making the case for tribal members to vote in favor of the amendment.
‘Economic sovereignty’ on the line
“This amendment does not take away the rights of tribal members. It gives tribal members the right to decide whether the tribe moves forward with gaming or not,” Lowery laid out in the video. “If the amendment passes, the Lumbee Tribe will pursue gaming. If it does not pass, we will not.”
Even-handed assessment, and from there Lowery proceeded to make a case in favor.
“If you vote yes, you are voting for economic sovereignty for the Lumbee people,” he noted. “The programs and services our tribe need to address many of the challenges facing our people can be supported through a strong economic development venture that includes gaming and entertainment operated in a safe, professional, and fully regulated manner.”
Lowery added: “No outside entity will own, control, or receive the profits intended for the Lumbee people. … One hundred percent of the profits generated through these ventures will remain with the tribe and be reinvested directly into programs, services, infrastructure, and opportunities that improve the quality of life for Lumbee citizens and strengthen our communities for generations to come.”
He also emphasized that the amendment fully complies with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 and with the regulations of the National Indian Gaming Commission.
Lowery also noted the governance structure would be “the same process used by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), whose gaming operations transformed their economic future.”
The EBCI operate two casinos in the state — Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Hotel & Casino. There is also a third casino in North Carolina, Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort, which is operated by the Catawba Indian Nation.
The Lumbee Tribe paid a reported $6 million for 240 acres of land off Interstate 95 in Robeson County last year. The tribe has full federal recognition and owns land in Robeson, Cumberland, Hoke, and Scotland counties.
Random fun fact: If Tuesday’s vote ends in a tie, the passage of the amendment will be determined by a coin flip.
Eric has been a professional editor and writer for more than 25 years, including nearly 20 years of experience covering the gambling industry. He was editor-in-chief of the poker magazine All In from 2005-2015 and manag…
