Lumbee Tribe Moves Closer to Opening First Casino East of Charlotte

The Lumbee Tribe's governing council voted 17-2 to amend their constitution to allow for casino gambling. The tribe will host a full vote on June 23 to decide if the members approve of gambling. If the majority of the members vote “yes,” the Lumbees will open a casino.

The Lumbee Tribe purchased 241 acres of land in Robeson County for $6 million in December. If the group’s 60,000 members approve gaming, then the tribe could build a casino on the site after reaching a gaming compact with the state. The casino would be near the North Carolina-South Carolina border off the highly traveled I-95 interstate.

North Carolina currently has three casinos, all tribal properties in Cherokee, Murphy, and Kings Mountain. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians operates two casinos in the state and opposed federal recognition for the Lumbees. A Lumbee-operated property would be the first casino in the state east of Charlotte. The property could attract gamblers from South Carolina, which has failed in several attempts at legalizing casino gambling. The Lumbee are currently working to put the new land, tribal headquarters, and cultural center into a federal trust.