North Carolina Senate Leader Phil Berger Flip-Flops on Casino Gambling

Posted on: February 20, 2025, 10:37h. 

Last updated on: February 20, 2025, 12:13h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.

Phil Berger, the top Republican in the GOP-controlled North Carolina Senate, no longer supports gambling after he led a controversial crusade to place commercial casino resorts in urban settings.

North Carolina casinos Phil Berger
North Carolina Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger says he will no longer try to bring commercial casinos to the state. That’s a stark change of heart from his gambling efforts in 2022 and 2023. (Image: Charter Communications)

In 2022, Berger, the Senate president pro tempore representing Rockingham County, quietly sought to include a provision into the state’s budget bill to allow commercial casinos in the counties of Rockingham, Anson, and Nash. Much backlash ensued after word got out that Berger had struck a backroom deal with The Cordish Companies to allow the Baltimore-based gaming operator that runs Live!-branded casinos in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Louisiana to develop and operate all three North Carolina casinos.

Local officials in the targeted counties and their constituents also expressed strong hostility to allowing casino resorts in their hometowns. County boards also said Berger didn’t include them in the gaming discussions.

Berger conceded that the budget approach was the wrong avenue. He returned in 2023 with a more traditional pathway to legalizing casino gaming — a motion supported by House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland).

Hard feelings among state lawmakers regarding how Berger initially sought to authorize slot machines and table games off Native lands led to gridlock in the Raleigh capital. The disclosure of substantial political donations from Cordish to Berger and other Republicans only further lessened GOP backing, which controls both chambers of the state General Assembly.

Change of Heart

Berger won reelection last fall in the heavily Republican District 26. He didn’t face primary opposition and went on to easily defeat Democrat Steve Luking during the November election.

North Carolina Senate members serve two-year terms, meaning Berger will be up for reelection for a 14th time in November 2026. Next year, however, he’ll face competition in the Republican primary.

The News & Observer in Raleigh reports that Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page will run to unseat Berger. A Republican, Page took great issue with Berger’s attempts to sneak casinos into the county his police force makes safe.

I think that when you bring up bills that definitely appear to be controversial, you need to be open and communicate with the public that you work for. If you want to pass a bill, you need to build support. I don’t think that was done. I think it was kind of just thrown on the citizens,” Page said in announcing his campaign.

“There are other kinds of businesses that the legislature can work towards supporting and encouraging to come to North Carolina besides just filling up the state with casinos,” Page added.

In response to Page mounting a campaign against him, Berger says he no longer will fight for casinos in Rockingham or anywhere else in the state.

I don’t think [casinos] are something that will see the light of day as far as the legislative session we’re in,” Berger said.

The Senate leader added he intends to continue being “the senator from the 26th District.”

Poll Shows Support

As Casino.org reported this week, public polling continues to show support among North Carolinians for commercial casinos. There are three tribal casinos currently operating in the Tar Heel State.

The latest Meredith College Poll conducted this month found that almost six in 10 adults in North Carolina support the legalization of commercial casino gambling.