Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina Gives Casino Vote the Green Light
The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina has been given the green light to vote on whether to build tribal casinos on its land.
The Lumbee Tribal Council voted this month to amend its constitution, paving the way for land-based casinos. However, the tribe faces one more hurdle: a tribe-wide vote to authorize gaming.
At a glance:
- A vote will be put to the entire tribe to allow casinos on tribal land
- Lumbee Tribe received federal recognition in December
- No date set for final casino vote
- Tribe purchased 241 acres last year in preparation
- North Carolina already has three successful tribal casinos
Lumbee Tribe wastes no time after federal recognition
The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina only achieved full federal recognition last December after President Donald Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The Lumbee joins 574 other Native American tribes, affording them “the responsibilities, powers, limitations, and obligations of such tribes.”
What federal recognition also affords the Lumbee Tribe is the freedom to have legal gaming on tribal lands. A vote will be taken among the whole tribe to gauge appetite for the types of tribal casinos already operating in NC.
The Lumbee Tribe was quick to get to work acquiring land for a potential casino. In early December, they purchased over 240 acres in preparation for any project.
Should the tribe give the go-ahead, the 241-acre tract “could serve as the site of a casino and resort, accompanied by a shopping outlet and additional amenities such as a golf course, a high-end driving range, a water park, or similar attractions,” according to Tribal Chairman John L. Lowery.
Lumbee Tribe to join Eastern Band of Cherokees in tribal casino race
North Carolina currently has three tribal casinos, two of them operated by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. All three casinos offer retail sportsbooks following the state's legalization of sports betting in 2023. It’s too early to say whether the Lumbee Tribe will offer online sports betting, and with whom they would partner.
Tribal casinos in North Carolina
- Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort (Eastern Band of Cherokee)
- Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino (Eastern Band of Cherokee)
- Catawba Two Kings Casino (Catawba Indian Nation)
Catawba Two Kings Casino recently opened its Introductory Casino, five years after its ‘temporary casino’ launched. The Introductory Casino covers 80,000 square feet and features over 1,300 slots and 20 table games. The final ‘Permanent Casino’ is due for a 2027 launch, and will cover a huge 300,000 square feet.
According to a Prospeo report, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort made annual revenue of $86.5 million. Those are the sorts of figures the Lumbee Tribe ‘Yes’ camp will be eyeing eagerly in the years ahead.
