Gaming Commission, beer at bingo near legislative passage

House members overwhelmingly approved the creation of a state Gaming Commission to oversee the lottery and other gambling enterprises and several tweaks to state liquor laws, including allowing alcohol to be sold at bingo parlors.

The Gaming Commission would assume control of the North Carolina Education Lottery and would also oversee bingo operations, raffles and boxing matches held in the state, including conducting background checks on operators, regulating event advertising and enforcing other rules.

"This doesn't expand gaming in any way," Warren told House members, adding that the commission would conduct a study on the impact of sports betting in the state.

Rep. Keith Kidwell, R-Beaufort, tried to tack an amendment on the bill that would have made gambling losses tax-deductible, but that idea was roundly criticized by Democrats and Republicans alike.

The overall bill passed 86-26 and returns to the Senate for a final vote before going to Gov. Roy Cooper.

An effort by Rep. Pat Hurley, R-Randolph, to strip out the bingo parlor section of the bill failed on a close 54-58 vote.

"There are many children in these bingo parlors, and I really feel that alcohol should not be present," Hurley said.

Hurley also objected to a section of the bill prohibiting the creation of any new local ABC boards, saying locales that approve liquor sales should have local control over sales. But bill supporters said some counties have up to nine local boards, and they want to encourage them to work together and consolidate operations.

The overall bill passed 86-28 and is also one Senate vote away from heading to Cooper.