Video Poker (NC Insider)
House Majority Leader Hugh Holliman acknowledged that House Democrats are divided over what to do about video sweepstakes games, just over two weeks after sponsors of a bill to prohibit the games said they hoped for quick approval of a ban. Holliman, D-Davidson, said the issue of what to do about the games was discussed extensively in a recent House Democratic caucus meeting. “Some people want to ban it. Some people want to make it legal,” he said. Still, others in caucus prefer to take no action, he said. But Holliman added that legislation affecting video sweepstakes may still be taken up this year.
Supporters of the sweepstakes machines – the latest incarnation of video poker – contradicted Holliman, saying that both House Democrats and Republicans had agreed to delay any legislation until 2011. “We support that decision from the state lawmakers because it allows time to study and review the various proposals on the table that would regulate and tax video gaming in the state,” said William Thevaos, president of the Entertainment Group of North Carolina.(THE INSIDER, 6/16/10).
