Lumbee tribe’s vote today decides path on gaming, casino on Interstate 95
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- Lumbee tribe members vote today on a constitutional amendment to pursue gaming.
- The planned resort would be built on 241 acres the tribe already purchased.
- Supporters cite thousands of jobs and billions in regional economic development.
The Lumbee tribe is voting Tuesday on whether to pursue gaming as a tool for economic development, a “turning point” decision that would open the doors to a casino, hotel and golf complex on its land along Interstate 95.
Tribal leaders urge the 68,000 members to vote “yes” on a constitutional amendment allowing the move, arguing that doing so could bring thousands of jobs and billions of dollars to a region of North Carolina long struggling with poverty and unemployment.
Rough plans are already drawn for the Dark Water Resort, which would go up on 241 acres of land the tribe already purchased after receiving long-sought federal recognition in December.
Spread across Robeson, Scotland, Cumberland and Hoke counties, the Lumbee spent decades lobbying Washington for recognition, perpetually falling short of needed votes until last year.
Arguments against recognition frequently came from leaders of the Eastern Band of Cherokee, until recently North Carolina’s only federally recognized tribe, who said the Lumbees’ history was lacking in either a language or documentation.
But crossing the line last year allowed the Lumbee to officially call the question, which along with excitement about much-needed economic growth has raised concerns about relying on gambling and its potential for addiction.
“Casinos with glamorous ‘table games’ also include thousands of sophisticated electronic machines that are no different from the video poker machines that are already prevalent in many strip malls,” wrote Bob Luddy of Raleigh and former NC House Rep. Skip Stam of Apex in a letter to The Robesonian. “These are not old-time video poker machines. They are designed by neuropsychiatrists in league with the gambling syndicates to intentionally addict young people, ages 15 to 25.”
Supporters counter that anyone with a cell phone is already allowed to gamble in North Carolina.
“This is about economic development, the bringing in of thousands of well paying jobs with benefits,” wrote Donnie Douglas, former Robesonian editor and current columnist, in a Facebook post. “The primary people who will be visiting the casino will be travelers, who will leave their dollars behind, not just at the casino, but at hotels, restaurants, retail outlets, golf courses, etc.
Polls are open until 7:30 p.m.
This story will be updated when results become available.