Lumbee Tribe Says "No" To New North Carolina Casino

A new tribal casino will not be gracing the landscape of southeastern North Carolina, at least not anytime soon. The Lumbee Tribe has delivered a resounding "no" to the prospect, overwhelmingly voting against the construction of a gaming establishment on 240 acres of land in Robeson County.

This decision, revealed this week by the Lumbee Tribe Elections Board, saw approximately 62% of the 9,000 tribal members casting their ballots against the plan. The outcome arrives despite the tribal council having voted in favor of the proposal just last May, setting the stage for what many believed would be a significant expansion of the state's gaming footprint. The land in question was originally purchased by the tribe last January, with an eye toward diverse development.

Tribal Chairman John Lowery openly expressed his disappointment regarding the vote's outcome. "A majority of the Lumbee people have spoken, and they have said ‘no’ to progress and have decided to stay with the status quo," Lowery lamented, underscoring the unexpected nature of the community's rejection.

Initial conceptualizations for the newly acquired property extended beyond just a casino, encompassing a vision for a comprehensive entertainment hub. Plans had included the potential for a shopping center, a golf course, a water park, and other recreational amenities designed to draw visitors and stimulate the local economy. With the gaming referendum now off the table, Chairman Lowery had previously indicated that the land could pivot towards a different form of economic development, specifically as a business and industrial park.

This development follows decades of persistent effort by the Lumbee Tribe to secure federal recognition, a milestone finally achieved in December as part of a spending bill signed into law by then-President Donald Trump. This recognition opened new avenues for self-governance and economic development, making the casino proposal a highly anticipated venture for many within the tribe and the wider community.

North Carolina's current casino landscape remains sparse, with only three tribal properties in operation: Harrah's Cherokee, Harrah's Murphy, and the Catawba Two Kings Casino in Kings Mountain. Efforts to introduce additional commercial casinos elsewhere in the state have consistently met with legislative roadblocks and public opposition, further highlighting the significance of the Lumbee Tribe's decision.

The Lumbee casino rejection also comes on the heels of notable resistance from influential figures within the state. A prominent businessman and significant Republican donor had actively urged lawmakers to oppose any casino expansion, even going so far as to advocate for the rejection of contributions from the gaming industry. Such sentiment reflects a broader debate within North Carolina regarding the expansion of gambling.

For the state's dedicated poker enthusiasts, the status quo means that the Harrah’s Cherokee properties in Cherokee and Murphy will continue to be the exclusive destinations for live poker action. Harrah’s Cherokee, in particular, has long been a favored stop on the World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC) tour, regularly hosting major events that attract players from across the region and beyond.

Just last December, Harrah's Cherokee hosted a successful WSOPC event, culminating in Derek Sein-Lwin's victory in the Main Event. Sein-Lwin topped a field of 1,190 entries, securing a substantial $281,514 top prize and his inaugural championship gold ring. With the Lumbee Tribe's decision, the spotlight on these established poker rooms is set to remain undimmed, as the prospect of new competition fades into the background.