Gambling Cruises Face NC Senate Vote

RALEIGH — The state Senate is expected to take up a bill Monday to keep most gambling boats from docking in North Carolina.

The bill would ban most so-called "cruises to nowhere."

Those are one-day trips that take passengers to international waters to gamble.

Tourism officials worry an outright ban would keep Caribbean cruise ships away from Wilmington or Morehead City.

They're pushing for an amendment that exempts ships with more than 200 sleeping cabins.

The House has already passed the bill.