North Carolina Tribe Votes Down Casino Proposal
The Lumbee tribe, based in North Carolina, received a coveted full federal recognition in December 2025 - nearly a year after then newly-elected President Donald J. Trump promised to do so in his first week in office.
After becoming the 575th tribe within U.S. boundaries to receive such recognition, the tribe quickly purchased 240 acres along interstate highway 95 for $6 million.
The Lumbee tribe majority said "no" to building a casino
The idea was to build a casino and entertainment complex to boost the fortunes of the impoverished residents of Robeson County.
Only one obstacle remained - a vote of the full tribe on June 23, 2026.
And on Tuesday, members soundly rejected the idea, with more than 60% of them voting "No" on the matter.
On the Lumbee Tribe Facebook page, one commenter said, "Absolutely great. I gamble, and I voted no..... I've seen gambling destroy people and families in my lifetime. I'm very familiar with casino gambling, have been for 40 years. the casino will come though eventually, but anything I can do to hinder it, count me in. i don't want my son or grandkids or no one to become a victim of gambling."
But another poster said, "Such an incredible opportunity for the Lumbee people lost, disappointing. I can only imagine this is the result of misinformation and a lack of understanding of the impact this could have."
A number of respondents on the page said they voted against the casino on religious and moral grounds.
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Tribal leader's recommendation was rejected
Lumbee Tribal Chairman John Lowery, who also represents Robeson County as a Republican in the state General Assembly, had advocated for the casino.
“A majority of the Lumbee people have spoken, and they have said no to progress and have decided to stay with the status quo or simply staying with the way things are,” Lowery said.
"As a federally recognized Indian tribe, we had the opportunity, like so many of our brother and sister tribes, to exercise our sovereign rights to the fullest and generate billions of dollars to assist our tribal members and lift this entire region. This decision by the majority of Lumbee voters is historic and ensures we will not move forward with gaming.”
A missed opportunity?
Supporters of the casino plan estimated that the project could produce more than 3,000 full-time jobs, with salaries starting at $45,000 - a strong number in the rural region.
The median household income in Robeson County is slightly under $45,000 is the lowest of all 100 North Carolina counties. The county's population has shrunk by 8% in the last decade.
Lowery, whose term expires at the end of 2027, said the results of the vote – a majority of voters in all 21 tribal districts opposed the proposal - means that he will not revive the effort next year.
In North Carolina, the three existing tribal casinos – all in the western part of the state - do not have to turn over any revenues to the state in the form of taxes.
The proposed casino is only 10 miles north of the state line in South Carolina, which has no casinos - nor sports betting. A casino in the county thus would have brought in discretionary income from outside the state as well.
