The Lumbee Tribe has taken another step toward possible casino development in Robeson County.
The Tribal Council voted 14–2 to approve a gaming ordinance that sets out rules for gambling on tribal lands. The decision moves the process forward, but it does not give a proposed casino permission to open. Tribal citizens will have another opportunity to weigh in through a required referendum.
For anyone following plans for a Lumbee casino in North Carolina, that distinction matters. The council has approved a legal framework—not a finished resort, a construction schedule, or an opening date. Additional votes and regulatory approvals remain ahead.
The news comes in the wake of a decision that forces sports betting operators to pay a higher tax in The Tarheel State. If approved it would join two additional North Carolina casinos.
What Did the Lumbee Tribal Council Approve?
The council approved Gaming Ordinance CLLO-2026-1015-04 during a special called meeting following its October business meeting.
Councilman Larry Soles made the motion, and Councilman Carrington Locklear seconded it. Harold Smith and Graylen Mitchell voted against the measure. Five council members were absent, including Billy Oxendine, who has criticized the tribe’s gaming efforts.
The ordinance would authorize and regulate Class II gaming on eligible tribal lands under the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Class III gaming, often described as casino-style gambling, would require a separate agreement between the tribe and North Carolina, known as a tribal-state compact.
After the vote, Tribal Council Speaker Alex Baker said the council had considered the ordinance and listened to citizens. He emphasized that the next decision belongs to the Lumbee people.
Lumbee Voters Have the Next Say
The next major step is a referendum.
Under the tribal constitution, an ordinance affecting fundamental rights must go through a process that includes certification by the tribal chairperson and a vote by tribal citizens. Chairman John Lowery has 10 days to certify the ordinance.
Tribal Attorney Joshua Malcolm said he expected the referendum to take place on December 10 or December 15, 2026. Those dates were described as anticipated dates, not a confirmed election schedule.
This means the council’s vote is not the final word on gaming. Tribal citizens still have a direct role in deciding whether the ordinance moves forward.
How This Differs From the June Casino Vote
The decision follows a major setback for the tribe’s gaming plans earlier this year.
On June 23, approximately 62% of participating Lumbee voters rejected a proposed constitutional amendment tied to gaming. That proposal would have expanded tribal leaders’ authority over gaming decisions and removed an existing requirement for a referendum on ordinances authorizing gaming.
The new ordinance takes a different approach. Rather than changing the constitution through the rejected amendment, the council pursued a gaming ordinance under the existing constitutional process, which still requires a public vote.
Two days after the June election, the council directed its attorney to investigate other legal paths. That work led to committee discussions, a draft ordinance, four public hearings, and further revisions before the October vote.
The distinction is important: voters rejected a particular constitutional amendment in June. The upcoming referendum concerns a separate gaming ordinance developed afterward.
Where Could the Lumbee Tribe Build a Casino in North Carolina?
The tribe has acquired roughly 240 acres near Interstate 95 in Robeson County. Reporting places the property near Exit 10, making it the focus of discussions about a future casino and resort development.
The proposed project has included more than a gambling floor. Plans discussed publicly have featured:
- Two hotels.
- A museum and heritage center.
- A casino.
- Convention and entertainment facilities.
- Condominiums.
- A golf course.
These features describe a proposed development, not a guaranteed construction plan. Following the June vote, reporting noted that the property could also support other economic development if gaming did not advance.
What Still Has to Happen Before a Casino Could Open?
The council’s approval is an early legal step. It does not complete the process needed to launch a North Carolina casino.
Beyond the tribal referendum, the gaming ordinance would need review and approval from the National Indian Gaming Commission. A Class III casino would also require a tribal-state compact with North Carolina.
Even if those approvals are secured, the proposed resort would still need to move from planning into an operating business. The October vote should therefore be understood as progress toward a possible project—not confirmation that construction or casino operations are about to begin.
Why the Debate Matters to Lumbee Citizens
The casino discussion is also a debate about economic opportunity and how the tribe makes major decisions. Supporters have presented gaming as a path toward greater economic independence and long-term prosperity.
At the same time, the June amendment raised questions about the authority given to tribal leaders and whether citizens would retain a direct vote on future gaming ordinances. Those governance issues help explain why the difference between a constitutional amendment and the current ordinance matters.
The Lumbee Tribe received full federal recognition in December 2025. The gaming debate has become one of its first major decisions in this new period, bringing questions about development, tribal authority, and citizen participation into the same conversation.
Is a Lumbee Casino Approved Yet?
Not for opening.
The Tribal Council has approved a gaming ordinance, but tribal voters and outside regulators still have important decisions to make. The expected December referendum is the next major milestone, and the proposed casino remains subject to further approvals.
