Odds changing on videoppoker ban

RALEIGH, North Carolina -- The state would ban video poker under a bill that senators sent speeding through the legislative process Wednesday, angering those in the amusement-machine business but delighting critics who say the industry has created more trouble than its worth.

Only casinos on federally recognized tribal lands would be able to have video-poker machines under the proposal.

Although the House has blocked similar efforts in recent years, advocates say this session may be different because of the industry's role in a campaign finance dispute swirling around House Speaker Jim Black.

By contrast, the outcome of a Senate vote today is in little doubt, as the chamber has passed similar measures by wide margins in recent years and is likely to do so again.

"It's just something we don't need in North Carolina," said Sen. Katie Dorsett, a Greensboro Democrat, after a powerful Senate committee approved the language for consideration Wednesday.

Guilford County Sens. Kay Hagan, a Democrat, and Phil Berger, a Rockingham County Republican, say they will also vote in favor of the ban. Sen. Stan Bingham, whose district represents High Point, said he wants to hear from local video- poker operators and sheriffs before deciding.

Industry critics say a recent bust in Cumberland County where about $1 million in cash was recovered from a company that police say had operated video-poker machines illegally will give the bill momentum. Michael Waguespack of Hope Mills, owner of Funtime Amusements and nine others were charged. Waguespack was a campaign donor to Black.

Video-poker machines are allowed to pay out no more than $10 in store credit. Law enforcement agencies have charged numerous businesses with operating the machines illegally, offering cash prizes well above the legal limit.

Randolph County Sheriff Litchard Hurley said most, if not all, of the machines are designed to break the law, displaying prizes worth much more than the limits. A crackdown has reduced Randolph's machines from several hundred to about 60 in the past year.

He and other critics assert that many players become addicted to the electronic games, losing large amounts of money.

"These guys have made millions of dollars at something that has hurt so many families," Hurley said of poker-machine owners. "I would love to see a statewide ban. I think it's way overdue."

Video-poker operators argue a ban is unwarranted.

Instead, legislators should start a system of statewide regulation of the machines, said George Trent, of Reidsville, speaking for the N.C. Amusement Machine Association.

Statewide registration would eliminate the confusing county-by-county regulatory system and make it easy for authorities to identify illegal machines, Trent said.

His Trent Brothers Music Co. owns a number of video-poker machines.

The machines are owned mainly by family-run businesses that provide employment for law-abiding residents, Trent said. They are harmless fun when operated according to the law, he said.

"If we can get rid of the illegal machines, the majority of our problems would be gone," Trent said.

The industry has continued to operate largely because of the good graces of the state House, where efforts to ban video poker have died. Critics blame Black, a Matthews Democrat who has received thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from donors related to the industry. Good government advocacy group Democracy North Carolina has shown that Black received at least $121,000 in video poker-related contributions during 2001 and 2002.

The State Board of Elections recently ruled that many of those contributions may have been made illegally under state law, but said that Black did not know of the violations.

Still, the contributions added to ethics and publicity troubles for Black, and video poker opponents say that now is the time to push a ban through the state House.

"They have a prime opportunity to, in one vote, get rid of video poker," said John Rustin, a lobbyist for the N.C. Family Policy Council.

Because of the method the Senate has used to create the ban, House members could vote it up or down without sending it to any committees, where it could be derailed.

When asked whether he were less likely to intervene in the bill's fate after his recent spate of bad publicity, Black brushed off the question.

"The spotlight doesn't have anything to do with what I'm doing this session," Black said. "We'll deal with every issue that comes over from the Senate."

Even if Black doesn't intervene, other House members are leery of the proposed ban, including some from Guilford.

"My initial reaction is video poker is legal in North Carolina presently and it would seem to me that it's a minor issue compared to the passage of the state lottery," said Rep. Earl Jones, a Greensboro Democrat. "Just to ban it straight out when we just passed the lottery is kind of hypocritical."

Reps. Alma Adams and Maggie Jeffus, Greensboro Democrats, said they wanted to see the bill before commenting.

Rep. Pricey Harrison, a Greensboro Democrat, said she was "aghast at the level of corruption associated with the industry" but didn't like the expedited process the Senate had used to create the bill.

Republican Reps. John Blust of Greensboro and Laura Wiley of High Point said they would vote for the ban.

Rep. Nelson Cole, a Rockingham Democrat, said the legislature shouldn't be dealing with such a controversial item during its short session.

Asked whether he supported or opposed video poker, Cole said, "At this point in time, video poker is legal in North Carolina."

If the Senate votes as expected today, House members would have the bill in their hands early next week.

News Added: 11 May, 2006

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