The North Carolina Court of Appeals voted 2-1 to uphold a Robeson County ban on unlicensed electronic gaming machines. The decision effectively bans these co-called “sweepstakes kiosk” slot-style skill games in the state.
The court has found that such games are prohibited because “their prize is determined by chance.”
In the case No Limit Games v. Sheriff of Robeson Co., et al, the No Limit Games claimed a ban by law enforcement that shut down its gaming offerings in Greensboro was not lawful. The sheriff’s department in Robeson County had seized some of the machines and other items from No Limit Games in 2023. At that time, the kiosks were available at multiple locations in the Greensboro area.
In 2023, a trial court agreed with the gaming company that the seizure and action by county officials was unlawful. But now, the appellate court has reversed that decision, marking a decisive blow to games that some see as outside the boundaries of regulated gaming in North Carolina. No Limit Games could appeal the court ruling to the North Carolina Supreme Court.
North Carolina does not have online casinos, though it did launch online sports betting in March of 2024.
Virginia and other states shun “skill games”
Neighboring state Virginia had an opportunity to regulate skill games like those offered by No Limit Games. But in May of 024, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed a bill that could have allowed such games to be placed under a regulatory umbrella.
In Pennsylvania, regulators have wrestled with banning skill games and sweepstakes kiosks. In Kentucky, the legislature passed a ban, eliminating No Limit Games from doing business in that state.
Some observers feel a ban on skill games will make it easier for North Carolina to eventually pass legislation to permit online casinos or iGaming. So far, state officials have not tied the two products together. As of yet no lawmakers have been successful in guiding an online casino bill to the floor for a vote.
Digital lottery tickets surpass $1 billion in first-year sales
Many legal forms of online gaming have proven to be popular in the Tar Heel State, especially the online lottery.
Digital instants, which also fund schools and educational programs in North Carolina, eclipsed $1 billion in sales all-time as of June 2024.
The convenience of online lottery tickets and instant tickets has not cannibalized retail ticket sales: North Carolina lottery tickets reached $5 billion in sales for fiscal year 2024, which resulted in more than $1 billion raised for public education.
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