Poker Issue Political Prompting Online Debate
State House Speaker Jim Black said Thursday that investigations into campaign contributions he received from video poker operators will play no role in whether the House votes on banning the games statewide. He also said the issue has become political, citing video poker raids by Cumberland County Sheriff Moose Butler three days before Butler's re-election.
Video poker games are legal in North Carolina if they fall within certain guidelines, including no more than three machines at any premises and no cash payouts. Prizes can be worth no more than $10. The Senate unanimously passed a ban earlier Thursday, setting up the fifth time in six years that the House and Senate have clashed over the issue.
Video poker bans have cleared the Senate but failed in the House largely because of Black's opposition. But this year's showdown comes after the N. C. Board of Elections investigated Black's ties to video poker. The board has asked the Wake County district attorney to take over the case, which is pending.
May 11, 2006
Posted By Terry Goodwin
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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