Last Call for Video Poker in North Carolina
2 June 2006
NORTH CAROLINA – As reported by the Jackson Daily News: "Sheriff Ed Brown, a longtime supporter of a proposed ban on video-poker machines, said Wednesday's House vote to approve a phaseout of the gambling machines by summer 2007 is the right move.
"'It should have been done a long time ago,' he said.
"The state House passed the measure with a resounding 114-1 vote Wednesday. The bill is now pending in the state Senate, where a vote is expected on Monday. The Senate has passed similar measures in previous sessions but lacked House support for such action to become law.
"Currently, video poker machines aren't illegal; there are about 10,000 legal machines in the state. An establishment can only have a maximum of three machines and must register them with their county sheriff's department.
"The problem is that many machines are operated illegally, either by not registering them or by giving out cash prizes to winners instead of the legal $10 merchandise prize…"