Legislators bickering over the now past due budget are ignoring a great source of revenue.
The video poker industry, now prohibited in NC, is begging for permission to exist. In a committee meeting Tuesday morning, an industry representative made it clear that they are willing to jump through whatever hoops the legislature decides to enact.
HB 1537 sponsored by Rep. Earl Jones (D-Guilford) would allow video gaming to return to NC.
Rep. Jones estimates that the bill would generate 3,000 to 4,000 private sector jobs and bring in $480 million in tax revenue every year.
Opponents to the bill say that video poker would turn us all into gambling addicts. This is the same problem they have with the lottery.
The lottery has been around for a while now and I haven’t seen any signs that it has had any substantial impact in the number of gambling addicts in the state.
We all know how much NC likes to tax and create jobs. Why aren’t they letting an industry that wants to be taxed exist?
Leave a Comment