Published on: June 24, 2026, 07:08h.

Updated on: June 24, 2026, 07:08h.

• Approximately 9,000 Lumbee tribe members participated in the vote, with around 62% opposing the amendment to allow gaming
• Proponents argued that a casino could create as many as 3,500 jobs and stimulate investment in one of North Carolina’s most impoverished regions
• Opponents raised constitutional issues, concerns over the centralization of power, religious objections, and the rapid post-recognition timeline

North Carolina’s largest indigenous tribe, the Lumbee, has declined to move forward with plans for a casino. About 9,000 of the tribe’s estimated 55,000 members voted in a referendum that sought to amend their constitution to permit gaming, setting the stage for the state’s third casino.

Late on Tuesday, June 24, the Lumbee Tribe Elections Board disclosed that around 62% of voters opposed the amendment, though the official results are still pending.

In response, casino plan advocates, including tribal chairman John Lowery, have acknowledged their defeat.

“Today, a majority of the Lumbee have indicated their choice, opting against progress in favor of maintaining the current situation,” he remarked in a statement.

“This historic decision reflects the collective will of Lumbee voters and means we will not be pursuing gaming initiatives. I will respect this decision and will not raise the issue again during my remaining 18 months in office,” Lowery further stated.

A 130-Year Journey

In December 2025, Congress granted federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe, concluding a 130-year quest for official acknowledgment.

This recognition solidifies the tribe’s sovereign status and paves the way for potential benefits like federal funding, land trust opportunities, and the possibility for gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

Previously, the tribe acquired 240 acres along I-95 in Robeson County, where the tribe’s population is predominantly located.

Supporters of the proposed casino emphasized that it could significantly revitalize an area suffering from high unemployment and poverty rates.

Tribal officials estimated that a casino could create between 2,750 and 3,500 permanent positions, starting with starting salaries of around $45,000 annually.

Opposition to the Plan

Some critics contended that tribal leaders were circumventing the constitution’s mandate for a direct casino vote by advocating a constitutional amendment with a less stringent requirement, according to The Assembly.

Others expressed concerns over the potential centralization of power in the tribal chairperson, while additional objections stemmed from religious beliefs against gambling or apprehensions about the swift movement following federal recognition.

While the casino matter could be reconsidered by future tribal leadership, the current outcome appears to have set the proposal aside for the foreseeable future. Meanwhile, the Robeson County land may be utilized for different economic ventures.