House Speaker Jim Black apologized Wednesday for what he called "mistakes in judgment" over the startup of the state lottery and his ties to a Raleigh lobbyist who also served as his campaign's political director.

Black, a Democrat from Mecklenburg County and the four-term leader of the state House, said he regrets some of his actions and promised to be more careful.

"I have made some mistakes in judgment," said Black, who spoke at length with reporters for the first time in months. "And if I could do those things again, I would do some things differently."

Black said he will no longer take gifts from lobbyists -- "not even for $1."

"That would mean a fruitcake, ham, meals, golf," Black said. "I will not accept any of those things from a lobbyist. That's hoping to set an example for other legislators."

Black has been the subject of numerous news stories in recent weeks about the lottery's creation and people tied to him. They include Raleigh lobbyist Meredith Norris, who was also Black's political director; and Kevin Geddings of Charlotte, a public relations firm owner whom Black appointed to the lottery commission.

Federal investigators have subpoenaed Black's office for scores of documents related, in part, to Norris' work. They won't provide details, but Black's lawyer has said the U.S. Attorney has said that the speaker is not a target of investigators.

In addition, state authorities are investigating possible lobbying law violations by Norris, Geddings and the lottery company Scientific Games, which employed both this year and is expected to seek contracts to operate the lottery.

Black has remained mostly silent, saying through his lawyers and others that he has done nothing wrong.

But his tone changed Wednesday, hours after he met privately with other House Democrats.

Black, meeting with reporters in his legislative office, said he wishes he had not chosen Geddings for the lottery commission.

But he repeated earlier statements that he did not know that Geddings was also in business with Scientific Games. Black originally did not want Geddings for the commission, and said Wednesday that he could not specifically recall how he came to choose Geddings.

Once appointed, Geddings did not reveal in a required state filing his ties to Scientific Games or its payment of $24,500 to him this year. Black said he wants to see tough penalties for filing false reports about financial interests.

Black also said he wishes he had not put Norris in a key role as director of his political organization while she simultaneously represented tobacco, energy and economic development interests before the legislature.

Norris was also employed by Scientific Games this year in a role monitoring legislation but has said she was not a lobbyist for the company.

Black said he should not have had a lobbyist involved in his campaign organization, even if it is legal.

"In retrospect, that was a poor judgment on my part," Black said. "I take full responsibility for that. ... And I think in the future, anyone running for office should be careful about someone associated with their campaign having a role in this process as a lobbyist or otherwise."

Records show that Black dined with Norris and Alan Middleton, a Scientific Games lobbyist, numerous times this year and that the lottery company spent more than $3,000 on the entertainment.

Asked what the nature of those dinners was, Black said, "Eat food and, you know." Pressed for details, he said: "You know, I don't remember any particular [thing]."

He said no lobbyist or company influenced the passage of the lottery.

Black's comments Wednesday came as he wrapped up previously scheduled political strategy sessions and meetings with House Democrats.

Black said that he addressed the recent controversies with other Democrats but that he was not pressured to make an apology or other statements. He said he has the full support of House Democrats, who continue to seek his help raising campaign money.

Two Democrats from the Triangle who attended the sessions said the issues enveloping Black were not discussed in any formal setting.

Rep. Deborah Ross, a Raleigh Democrat, called Black's remarks "positive and reflective."

She said the House is serious about tightening ethics rules, noting that Black has already appointed a special committee on ethics. "Regardless of what you think about what has happened," Ross said, "it appears we were taking actions that will make the situation better in the future."

Rep. Joe Hackney, the House majority leader from Orange County, sat in on Black's meeting with reporters.

Hackney said the session gave Black a chance to explain his decisions. "He wishes all along he hadn't appointed Kevin Geddings," Hackney said.

Black said news reports in recent months have made him and his party uncomfortable.

"The ... members don't like reading these things, and I wish they were not being printed," he said. "But they are. If you don't have a pretty thick skin, you shouldn't run for public office. Because you are subjecting yourself to criticism -- and some of it warranted."

(Staff writer Lynn Bonner contributed to this report.)