North Carolina’s Growing Interest in Commercial Casinos

North Carolina is showing a growing inclination towards further expanding its gambling industry. The state, already benefiting from a steady stream of revenue from sports betting and existing tribal casinos, seems poised to consider the introduction of commercial casinos on non-tribal lands. This shift is supported by a significant portion of the population, who appear ready to embrace this next step in the state’s gaming evolution.

North Carolina’s Interest in Commercial Casinos

A recent survey conducted by Meredith College in Raleigh delves into several key issues important to local residents. Among these topics, casino gambling on non-native lands emerged as a leading subject. According to the poll, a majority of 58% of respondents expressed their support for legalizing casino gambling beyond tribal territories.

Conversely, 32% of those surveyed were generally opposed to this idea. However, a deeper analysis reveals interesting patterns within specific age demographics. The youngest and oldest segments of the population showed a notable resistance, with 35% and 52% of these groups, respectively, considering the expansion of casinos to non-tribal lands as unfavorable.

Commenting on these findings, Meredith Poll Director David McLennan remarked:

We have the lottery and have just adopted online sports wagering in the state. Plus, many states, including those on the border of North Carolina, now have casino gambling so even citizens who might have had objections to casino gambling 20 years ago might be resigned to the fact that all forms of gambling are inevitable.

The poll further dissects the data by examining the responses to two key questions, providing a clearer picture of public sentiment.

Unity Among the Youngest and Eldest

One of the survey questions asked: ‘Would you support or oppose allowing casino gambling in the State of North Carolina (on non-native lands)?’ The responses were distributed as follows:

With a prevailing trend of support for the legalization of commercial casinos, North Carolina stands on the brink of potentially significant changes in its gambling landscape.

Meanwhile, neighboring Virginia has already established commercial casinos near the state border, which could motivate lawmakers in North Carolina to consider expanding their own gambling framework to retain revenue within state lines.