City of Rocky Mount weighs in on potential casino as NC lawmakers work on gambling expansion bill

Rocky Mount in North Carolina could potentially become the host city of a land-based casino as Republican leaders of the General Assembly work on plans to expand gambling in the state, potentially leading to four new gambling properties across NC. Meanwhile, citizens are weighing in on the impacts casino gambling could have. 

Legislative leaders are working on a bill, which is expected to be filed soon, that would look to authorize four "entertainment districts" with casinos. Potential host counties for commercial casinos would include Nash, Rockingham and Anson counties; while a fourth property would open in southeastern North Carolina, run by the Lumbee tribe. The projects would also feature restaurants, hotels, housing and office space. 

Rocky Mount Mayor Sandy Roberson’s chief of staff Cary Cox told CBS17 that if the legislature votes to approve the casinos, one of them could go to the city. However, Cox did not specify where the casino would open. “We do want to participate because this opportunity could change our city in so many great ways,” he said.

Robbie Davis, chairman of the Nash County Board of Commissioners, was quoted as saying that the location for the new casino would be near the intersection of I-95 and US 64. However, there was no confirmation from Rocky Mount officials, who noted that they have not yet been contacted by any casino developer, although they expect the talks to begin "soon."

Davis cited various concerns about the idea but said he is open to discussing them with other commissioners before commenting further. He is also of the opinion that the matter should be put directly to voters to decide, like in the case of Virginia, where four of five casinos were authorized by voters to be built, most of them near the North Carolina state line.

Senate leader Phil Berger

Senate leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) said that the approval of a new casino would depend on local elected officials such as a city council or board of county commissioners, but that lawmakers are exploring ways in which to also include the communities in the conversation. 

House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) said: “The local governments, like the county commissions and those local bodies, I believe they’ve already been engaged with talking with their local legislators. And the report back to me is that they support it.” 

As per the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the Rocky Mount metro area had the highest unemployment rate in the state at 4.8% in May. The unemployment rate statewide that month was 3.4%.