Casino Coverage

Editorial: Action needed to protect college athletes, integrity of competition from bettors' influence

Monday, April 1, 2024 -- College athletes and the sports they participate in must be free from the undue influences of gamblers who only care about winning money.

WRAL news poll: Most say they don't plan to bet on sports in NC

A new WRAL News poll found that more than half of North Carolina adults support bringing casinos to rural parts of the state. However, a plan to do so never got a vote in the legislature.

Lawmakers scrapped casino plans last year. Here's what NC adults think about more gambling

More than half of North Carolina adults support bringing casinos to rural parts of North Carolina, a new WRAL News poll found. A plan to do so never got a vote in the legislature.

Brian Murphy, WRAL

What NC lawmakers left on the table: Casinos, happy hour, medical marijuana

While casino gambling, loosening alcohol laws and medical marijuana all had some bipartisan support, each received strong pushback from religious conservative groups that divided the Republican majority.

Casinos, marijuana, happy hour: What NC lawmakers left behind this year

When lawmakers finished up their work for the year last week, some of the highest-profile proposals of the 2023 session were left on the table. Why they didn't pass, and what could happen next.

Laura Leslie, WRAL capitol bureau chief

Virginia sees many wins, few losses so far after betting big on casinos

In the parking lot of Caesars Virginia in Danville, North Carolina license plates dominate. Since the casino opened in May, residents of the Tar Heel state have regularly made the short trip to legalized gambling.

Laura Leslie, WRAL capital bureau chief

WRAL Investigates: Could casinos be a boom or bust for NC?

Will casinos be a boom or bust for our area? We went to Virginia to find out. From business owners to lawmakers, WRAL investigates the effects casinos could have on North Carolina communities.

Rocky Mount, Nash County leaders signed NDA on casino plans

Rocky Mount and Nash County leaders were briefed on plans for a proposed casino in Rocky Mount and signed non-disclosure agreements months before the proposal became public knowledge.

Before casino proposal died, other localities wanted in on the action

Roanoke Rapids changed its zoning laws this summer to allow a casino at the site of the Roanoke Rapids Theatre.

Brian Murphy and Keenan Willard, WRAL reporter

Rocky Mount, Nash County leaders agreed to keep casino plans secret for months

Rocky Mount and Nash County leaders were briefed on plans for a proposed casino in Rocky Mount and signed non-disclosure agreements months before the proposal became public knowledge.

Keenan Willard, WRAL reporter

Proposal: 14 NC counties can apply to bring a casino to town

WRAL News has learned 14 counties have a shot at getting a new casino.

Latest maneuvering on NC budget, casinos could end with Medicaid expansion going down

Republican legislative leaders moved forward Tuesday with maneuvers that could by week's end approve a long-delayed state budget, provide Medicaid to several hundred thousand low-income adults and multiply legal gambling through video gaming machines and new casinos.

NC Republicans in need of Democrats on budget, casino deal as bill drafts emerge

Opposition to casinos among some conservatives has thrown a wrench into GOP leaders' plans for the new state budget. But Democrats indicated they may not be willing to come to Republicans' rescue. Drafts of the proposals emerged late Monday.

Brian Murphy, Will Doran and Travis Fain, WRAL News reporters

Before public caught on, Rockingham County made crucial change to allow casino

As lawmakers debate whether to legalize more casinos in North Carolina, and as local officials lay groundwork with developers, a question remains: Who knew what, and when?

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

NC Republicans try new tactic to legalize casinos, expand health insurance for the working poor in budget fight

A proposal emerged Saturday to remove from the state budget plan a provision to expand Medicaid and legalize casinos throughout the state.

Travis Fain and Brian Murphy, WRAL

DRAUGHON DRAWS: Risky state budget betting

Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023 -- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist.

House, Senate making 'major progress' toward state budget deal, key lawmakers say

The North Carolina House and Senate are close to a deal on the state budget, top budget writers tell WRAL. The progress comes after negotiations stalled between the chambers over whether to include expanded gambling in the spending plan.

Travis Fain, Will Doran and Brian Murphy, WRAL News

Democrats slam Republicans over proposed casinos and budget delay

On Thursday, Democratic lawmakers sounded off about a stalemate between Republican lawmakers.

NC Democrats slam Republicans over casinos and budget delay, propose new compromise

The budget is months overdue, held up as GOP lawmakers have failed to come to a consensus on whether to use the budget to legalize casinos.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

Frayed nerves, flaring tempers: Republican fight over casinos, budget shows limits of party unity

Despite legislative supermajorities in both chambers, House and Senate Republicans can't agree on the final details of a budget proposal, fraying nerves and exposing tensions between House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate leader Phil Berger.

Brian Murphy, WRAL

NC budget talks at an impasse: What happens next

The General Assembly's top Republican lawmakers planned to meet throughout the day Wednesday to negotiate a state budget plan that has been derailed over a controversial plan to expand legalized gambling.

Cooler tempers as budget negotiations resume, but no end in sight for casino, spending deal

The General Assembly's top Republican lawmakers planned to meet throughout the day Wednesday to negotiate a state budget plan that has been derailed over a controversial plan to expand legalized gambling.

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

NC gambling expansion in jeopardy with budget

It's now official - the state House and Senate have hit a budget roadblock -- and that roadblock is gambling.

Budget turmoil: Senate leader says House broke agreement on gambling proposal

The House and Senate are hoping to pass a state budget this week, but a proposal to add casinos and video lottery terminals in the state is causing problems.

Brian Murphy and Travis Fain, WRAL

Bet on casino gambling in NC could come up empty

There are not yet enough GOP votes to pass a budget with expanded gaming in it, Republican leaders say.