Published on: April 8, 2026, at 11:16 AM.
Updated on: April 8, 2026, at 11:17 AM.
- Bob Luddy urges North Carolina lawmakers to turn down casino campaign funding
- The influential entrepreneur is calling on lawmakers to abandon casino legislation
A well-known Republican entrepreneur in North Carolina is expressing his stance that legislators in Raleigh should resist attempts to legalize casino gambling outside of tribal territories.
Bob Luddy has established himself in North Carolina through his philanthropic efforts and political outreach. Besides resisting requests from associates to support casino bills, Luddy urges the numerous Republicans he has financially backed to oppose gambling-related campaign funding.
“North Carolina does not require casino gambling as it deteriorates society and ultimately harms all it impacts. The revenue generated isn’t necessary and will impose extensive costs on law enforcement, social services, Medicaid, and civil society,” Luddy stated in a letter.
Luddy is the founder and owner of CaptiveAire Systems, a private company focused on commercial kitchens, HVAC, electrical controls, and duct systems.
Are Casinos a Possibility in NC?
North Carolina currently hosts three tribal casinos: Harrah’s Cherokee, Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River in Murphy, and Two Kings Casino in Kings Mountain. Phil Berger, a prominent Republican and former Senate President Pro Tempore, has recently proposed legislation to permit commercial casinos along Interstate 95 in the state’s rural regions.
Berger’s secret negotiations with The Cordish Companies, a Baltimore-based gaming and hospitality firm operating the Live! brand, faced significant backlash. Local governments where Berger and Cordish were allegedly planning to establish Las Vegas-style resorts claimed they were uninformed.
This casino-related controversy likely contributed to Berger’s recent defeat. In the March 2026 Republican primary, he lost to challenger Sam Page by just 23 votes, ultimately conceding after multiple recounts.
Page, the sheriff of Rockingham County, one of the areas proposed for a casino, received support from Luddy. Luddy had previously backed Berger but withdrew his support due to the gambling issue.
“[North Carolina is] thriving because it is a desirable place to live, and our economy is robust and diverse. The NC General Assembly has created a low-tax and business-friendly environment that fosters job growth,” Luddy explained.
Luddy and his wife, Maria, contributed the maximum allowable donation of $6,400 each to Page’s campaign.
Sports Betting in North Carolina
Currently, the only forms of commercial gambling permitted in North Carolina are the state-operated NC Education Lottery and both retail and online sports betting that is not tribal.
During the first nine months of the 2026 fiscal year (July-March), North Carolinians placed over $5.8 billion in sports bets, with bookmakers retaining approximately $610.5 million. This generated nearly $109.9 million in state tax revenue.
Seven online sportsbooks are active in the state, comprising FanDuel, DraftKings, Fanatics, Caesars Sportsbook, BetMGM, bet365, and theScore Bet.