GOP Donor Bob Luddy Urges North Carolina Lawmakers to Oppose Casino Expansion

Bob Luddy, a prominent Republican donor and founder of CaptiveAire Systems, has called on North Carolina legislators to reject casino expansion and contributions from the gaming industry. Luddy submitted an open letter to lawmakers on Tuesday, urging them to oppose casino expansion. “Casino gambling corrupts everything it touches and creates long-term costs for law enforcement, Medicaid, and families,” Luddy said. “I am asking lawmakers to refuse casino money and stand with voters who do not want gambling in North Carolina.”

In the letter, Luddy outlines what he sees as North Carolina’s recipe for economic success: taxes, school choice, and a pro-business and job growth environment. Luddy opposed the re-election bid of Senate Leader Phil Berger, who lost his Republican primary this month. Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page won that race after the two candidates sparred over the possibility of expanding gambling in the Tar Heel State. Luddy and his wife Maria each contributed $6,400 to Page’s campaign after supporting Berger in the past. In 2023, Berger supported a bill to bring three casinos to economically disadvantaged areas of the state.

The Lumbee Tribe announced the purchase of 240 acres of land in January with plans of building a casino on the site. North Carolina currently has just three tribal properties in Cherokee and Kings Mountain. Luddy’s efforts wouldn’t affect tribal casino expansion because of their tribal sovereignty. A recent poll from Meredith College found that 58% of North Carolina voters support legalizing commercial casinos, with just 32% opposed. “Most North Carolinians seem accustomed to all forms of gambling, so supporting casino gambling in the state does not seem unusual,” poll director David McLennan said.