Video Poker Phase-Out Ban Nears Reality After N.C. House Approval
The state House voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to ban video poker machines by next summer, a move that seems to signal the end of the profitable industry in North Carolina. The vote of 114-1 comes after House Speaker Jim Black, the General Assembly's most staunch supporter of the games, was tied in recent months to investigations of the gambling industry, including video poker and the state lottery.
The measure would slowly reduce the number of machines any retailer could operate or distributor set up at one location from three to none by July 1, 2007. Repeat offenders or those caught with five or more machines would be guilty of a felony. The bill now heads to the Senate, which has approved a ban five times since 2000. Gov. Mike Easley would be asked to sign the bill into law.
June 1, 2006
Posted By Bob Hartman
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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