A new piece of legislation has caught the attention of North Carolina’s gambling community. The House Judiciary Committee has advanced a bill that would legalize betting on card games, board games, dice, and dominoes on private property. Currently, even low-stakes games among friends are considered illegal under state law. The bill aims to decriminalize what many see as harmless home entertainment. But critics, including Republican Rep. Dean Arp, warn the legislation may have unintended consequences: “The way this bill is written … you can open this up to casino-style gaming tables across the state, possibly inadvertently.” Still, backers argue it’s a long-overdue acknowledgment of personal liberty. Despite Arp’s concerns (he noted he “doesn’t know of anybody who’s been arrested” for hosting such games) the bill has sparked a much larger conversation: Is this the beginning of broader gambling reform in North Carolina? Could it set the stage for legalized online poker?
A Shifting Landscape for Gambling in North Carolina
North Carolina has traditionally taken a conservative stance on gambling. Aside from state-sanctioned lottery games, most forms of betting have remained off-limits, unless they fall under tribal gaming exceptions. Today, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in the mountains remains the state’s most developed legal casino. The Catawba Two Kings Casino in Kings Mountain serves as the closest alternative for residents of Eastern North Carolina, although it still operates in a temporary capacity. For those in Charlotte, the drive to a fully developed casino can be several hours long.
Legalizing private home games could be a subtle but significant shift, signaling a slow but growing acceptance of gaming culture. Economic indicators support such moves. According to the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, tourism brought in a record-breaking $1.1 billion in 2024, with major events and hospitality accounting for hundreds of millions. Integrating legalized gaming (even on a modest, community-based scale) with a vibrant hospitality industry could further boost local economic impact.
Moreover, tribal-run casinos have demonstrated positive downstream effects beyond gaming revenue. A study from BMC Public Health found that American Indian-owned casinos improve community wellness through better economic conditions, enhanced recreational infrastructure, and expanded social services. These casinos have brought jobs, increased disposable income, and better access to healthy lifestyle options for tribal members. It stands to reason that a carefully regulated expansion of gambling, even in the form of legalized private games, could eventually offer similar economic benefits to broader North Carolina communities.
But there’s a catch: expanding home game protections without a solid legal framework for regulation may create gray areas that complicate enforcement. Without proper oversight, informal games could evolve into unlicensed gambling operations, potentially putting hosts and participants at risk despite the bill’s intentions.
Could Online Poker Be the Next Frontier?
While the bill specifically targets in-person, private games, it may indirectly fuel momentum for a cause poker enthusiasts have long championed: legal online poker. Americas Cardroom pro and 2003 World Series of Poker champion Chris Moneymaker has become a vocal advocate for online poker legalization across the United States. Moneymaker, whose historic $2.5 million win launched the original “poker boom,” continues to push for regulated online platforms that allow players to compete from the comfort of their own homes.
So far, only six states—Nevada, New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and West Virginia—have legalized online poker. North Carolina isn’t yet on that list. But the growing dialogue around gambling rights, sparked in part by the home games bill, may open the door for future poker legislation. Moneymaker himself has said, “My goal is by the time I get to Doyle’s age [89], hopefully we’re all able to play poker wherever we want, whenever we want.”
The current legal gray area leaves many North Carolinians unsure whether participating in online games (even on offshore platforms) is worth the risk. Advocates believe a state-regulated system could offer consumer protections, generate tax revenue, and attract younger demographics to the state’s entertainment offerings. If home games become normalized, it strengthens the argument that adults should also have the right to play virtually with similar protections.
From a tourism and business perspective, online poker legalization could dovetail with Charlotte’s already booming economic profile. In 2024, the city hosted 45 major conventions and nine sports events, generating over $143 million through its convention center alone. Introducing legal online poker, perhaps even hosting future live-poker events associated with digital platforms, could be the next major draw.
While the current bill doesn’t touch digital gaming, the conversations it has sparked are impossible to ignore. The distinction between a casual poker night and a high-stakes online tournament may seem vast, but in terms of legal structure, both rely on the same fundamental principles: privacy, consent, and the freedom to wager responsibly.
North Carolina’s proposed bill to legalize gambling on private property may seem narrow in scope, but its potential ripple effects could be significant. By legitimizing home games, the state may be inching toward a broader acceptance of gambling culture: one that includes not only in-person games but, perhaps eventually, online poker as well. As figures like Chris Moneymaker continue to advocate for legal digital play and Charlotte’s economy thrives on tourism and innovation, the question isn’t just whether North Carolina will pass this bill. It’s whether the Tar Heel State is ready to go all-in on a modern, regulated, and expansive gaming future.
