GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2025
H 1
HOUSE BILL 999
Short Title: Regulation of Video Gaming Terminals. (Public)
Sponsors: Representatives Warren and Loftis (Primary Sponsors).
For a complete list of sponsors, refer to the North Carolina General Assembly web site.
Referred to: Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
April 14, 2025
*H999 -v-1*
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1
AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE REGULATED PLAY OF VI DEO GAMING TERMINALS IN 2
THIS STATE. 3
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: 4
SECTION 1. Chapter 18C of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new 5
Article to read: 6
"Article 11. 7
"Video Gaming Terminals. 8
"Part 1. General Provisions. 9
"§ 18C-1100. Definitions. 10
In addition to the definitions in Article 1 of this Chapter, the following definitions apply in 11
this Article: 12
(1) Associated equipment. – Any hardware that is connected to the video gaming 13
terminal or to the central monitoring system for the purpose of 14
communication, validation, play, or other functions of the video gaming 15
terminal. 16
(2) Central monitoring system. – The system that maintains on a real-time basis 17
the financial, integrity, and security controls on video gaming terminals and 18
associated equipment and provides administrative services for its operation. 19
(3) Independent testing laboratory. – A nationally recognized testing laboratory 20
that is not otherwise subject to control by others and is approved by the 21
Commission for use in testing whether a video gaming game or video gaming 22
terminal complies with the standards set forth in this Article. 23
(4) Local law enforcement. – A municipal police department, a county police 24
department, or a sheriff's office. 25
(5) Manufacturer. – A person licensed by the Commission who manufactures, 26
assembles, services, or produces video gaming terminals or associated 27
equipment. 28
(6) Net machine revenue. – Gross revenue minus prizes actually paid per 29
machine. For purposes of this subdivision, prizes do not include a player 30
reward system, player tracking system, marketing, or promotional prizes or 31
credits. Unclaimed prizes shall not be included in the calculation of net 32
machine revenue unless redeemed by the player. 33 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 2 House Bill 999-First Edition
(7) Off-premises ABC permit. – An off-premises malt beverage permit, or 1
off-premises unfortified or fortified wine permit issued pursuant to Chapter 2
18B of the General Statutes. 3
(8) On-premises ABC permit. – An on-premises malt beverage permit, 4
on-premises unfortified or fortified wine permit, or mixed beverages permit 5
issued pursuant to Chapter 18B of the General Statutes. 6
(9) Operator. – A person licensed by the Commission who owns, leases, or 7
otherwise controls a video gaming terminal for which a video gaming terminal 8
permit has been issued by the Commission. 9
(10) Video gaming games. – Electronically simulated games of chance approved 10
by the Commission that are displayed and played on permitted video gaming 11
terminals. 12
(11) Video gaming merchant. – A person that meets all of the following criteria: 13
a. Is not primarily engaged in the business of offering video gaming 14
terminals. 15
b. Holds a valid on-premises or an off-premises ABC permit issued by 16
the Alcohol Beverage Commission, or a certificate of authority issued 17
by the Commission under Article 5 of this Chapter for areas that have 18
not approved the issuance of permits under Chapter 18B of the General 19
Statutes. 20
c. Is licensed by the Commission under this Article. 21
d. With whom an operator has contracted to do the following: 22
1. Provide video gaming terminals for the placing of wagers and 23
payment of winnings in accordance with this Article. 24
2. Pay cash prizes for video gaming games in accordance with 25
this Article. 26
(12) Video gaming terminal. – A device operated under the authority of the 27
Commission that shall be exempt under G.S. 14-306.1A and is any electronic 28
computerized video game machine that, upon the insertion of cash or a lottery 29
share, is available to play a video gaming game authorized by the Commission 30
and which uses a video display and microprocessors in which, by chance, the 31
player may receive free games or credits that can be redeemed for cash. The 32
term does not include a device that directly dispenses coins, cash, or tokens. 33
(13) Video gaming terminal permit. – A permanently affixed tag or other device 34
issued to a licensed operator for each video gaming terminal approved by and 35
registered with the Commission. 36
(14) Wager. – A sum of cash, or a redeemable share, risked on an uncertain 37
occurrence on any video gaming game. 38
"§ 18C-1101. Reserved for future codification purposes. 39
"§ 18C-1102. Video gaming. 40
(a) The Commission shall determine that video gaming games are a type of lottery game 41
in this State and shall license operators and video gaming merchants to operate video gaming 42
games for play by the public. Play of video gaming games shall be deemed a share for purposes 43
of this Chapter, shall be exempt from G.S. 18C-131(c), and shall be played only on video gaming 44
terminals with a valid video gaming terminal permit. Except as otherwise provided in this Article, 45
the provisions of this Chapter shall apply to operation and play of video gaming games in this 46
State. 47
(b) No video gaming terminals may be placed on any property owned or controlled by a 48
governmental entity. 49
(c) Video gaming terminals and associated equipment shall be connected to a central 50
monitoring system at all times during play and as otherwise determined by the Commission. 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
House Bill 999-First Edition Page 3
(d) The Commission shall allow each video gaming operator to operate up to three video 1
gaming terminals per location and may allow up to an additional three video gaming terminals 2
per location based upon a net machine revenue benchmark established by the Commission. 3
Nothing in this subsection shall limit the Commission from reducing the number of video gaming 4
terminals allowed based upon the net machine revenue benchmark. 5
(e) Each video gaming terminal for the placing of wagers and payment of winnings shall 6
comply with all of the following: 7
(1) Have affixed a valid video gaming terminal permit. 8
(2) Be located in a building that is more than 1,000 feet of any of the following: 9
a. A church. 10
b. A public school. 11
c. Any nonpublic school as defined by Part 1 or 2 of Article 39 of Chapter 12
115C of the General Statutes. 13
(3) Be located in plain view of the following: 14
a. Other patrons and customers of the video gaming merchant. 15
b. A surveillance camera that is operated continuously. 16
(4) Be located within the premises of the video gaming merchant as identified in 17
their ABC license. 18
(f) Subdivision (e)(2) of this section shall not apply if the church, public school, or 19
nonpublic school locates within 1,000 feet of the video gaming merchant after the video gaming 20
merchant began using the premises for video gaming terminals. 21
(g) Operators placing video gaming terminals for play in this State may only do the 22
following: 23
(1) Purchase, lease, or otherwise obtain video gaming terminals and associated 24
equipment from manufacturers licensed under this Article. 25
(2) Contract with licensed video gaming merchants for placement of video 26
gaming terminals for play by the public with the contract being in a form 27
approved by the Commission. 28
(h) Prizes for play of video gaming terminals shall be issued by a share that is redeemable 29
in accordance with the contract between the operator and the video gaming merchant. 30
"§ 18C-1103. Allocation of revenues. 31
The Commission shall determine the procedures for the monitoring, collecting, and remitting 32
of net machine revenues from video gaming terminals. The portion of net machine revenues 33
allocated to the Commission in subdivisions (1) and (2) of this section shall be transferred before 34
any other allocations are made from the net machine revenues and deposited into an account as 35
directed by the Commission. The net machine revenues shall be distributed by the Commission 36
in conformity with the following: 37
(1) Thirty-two percent (32%) of the total net machine revenues shall be 38
transferred to the Commission. The Commission shall transfer amounts 39
allocated under this subdivision to the North Carolina Video Gaming Fund 40
established under G.S. 18C-1104. 41
(2) Eight percent (8%) of the total net revenues shall be transferred to the 42
Commission to be credited in the following priority: 43
a. Costs of the Commission associated with administering this Article. 44
b. Costs associated with the central monitoring system. 45
c. Costs of the Department of Public Safety, Alcohol Law Enforcement 46
Division, associated with enforcement of this Article, which shall 47
include a transfer of at least three million dollars ($3,000,000) 48
annually. 49
d. One million dollars ($1,000,000) annually to the Department of Public 50
Safety for grants to local law enforcement to combat illegal gaming, 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 4 House Bill 999-First Edition
to be awarded upon recommendation by the Governor's Crime 1
Commission. 2
e. Two hundred twenty-five thousand dollars ($225,000) annually to the 3
Conference of District Attorneys for an attorney position dedicated to 4
the prosecution of illegal gambling activities. 5
f Remaining proceeds to the North Carolina Video Gaming Fund 6
established under G.S. 18C-1104. 7
(3) Thirty percent (30%) of the net machine revenues shall be allocated to 8
operators. 9
(4) Thirty percent (30%) of the net machine revenues shall be allocated to video 10
gaming merchants. 11
"§ 18C-1104. North Carolina Video Gaming Fund. 12
(a) An enterprise fund, to be known as the North Carolina Video Gaming Fund, is created 13
within the State treasury consisting of the transfer of net machine revenues by the Commission 14
under this Article, unclaimed prizes deemed abandoned under G.S. 18C-1115(e), licensing fees 15
collected by the Commission under this Article, and any interest earned on those funds. 16
(b) The General Assembly shall appropriate the monies in the North Carolina Video 17
Gaming Fund annually in the Current Operations Appropriations Act based upon estimates of 18
the net machine revenue from video gaming terminals to the North Carolina Video Gaming Fund. 19
(c) A security interest shall not be granted in any funds appropriated pursuant to this 20
section. 21
(d) Unclaimed prizes deemed abandoned under G.S. 18C-1115(e) shall be transferred to 22
the Commission who shall transfer the amount to the North Carolina Video Gaming Fund. 23
Unclaimed prize money allocated to the North Carolina Video Gaming Fund under this 24
subsection shall be considered separate from, and shall not reduce, the allocations made to the 25
Commission under G.S. 18C-1103. 26
"§§ 18C-1105 through 18C-1109. Reserved for future codification purposes. 27
"Part 2. Licenses and Permits. 28
"§ 18C-1110. Video gaming permit required on video gaming terminals. 29
(a) Every video gaming terminal shall have affixed to it a video gaming terminal permit 30
prior to play in the manner set forth by the Commission. The placement of the video gaming 31
terminal permit represents that the machine has been registered, inspected, and approved for 32
operation in the State. 33
(b) The Commission shall issue the video gaming terminal permit based on the number 34
of approved video gaming terminals registered with the Commission. The initial video gaming 35
terminal permit issued for each machine shall be valid for two years, and each successive permit 36
shall be issued annually thereafter. 37
(c) It shall be unlawful for a person other than authorized Commission personnel to affix 38
or remove a video gaming permit. No video gaming terminal may be transported out of this State 39
until the video gaming permit has been removed. 40
(d) Operators and video gaming merchants must make video gaming terminals and 41
associated equipment available for inspection by the Commission. No video gaming terminal 42
shall be issued a video gaming permit unless the software and hardware of the video gaming 43
terminal and associated equipment are compatible with the Commission's central monitoring 44
system and all games installed on the video gaming terminal are approved by the Commission. 45
(e) Any video gaming terminal that does not display a current and valid video gaming 46
terminal permit as required by this Article is subject to G.S. 14-298. 47
"§§ 18C-1111 through 18C-1113. Reserved for future codification purposes. 48
"§ 18C-1114. Minimum qualifications for all licensees. 49
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, an applicant whom the 50
Commission determines is qualified to receive a license under this Article shall be issued a 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
House Bill 999-First Edition Page 5
license. A person shall not engage in the manufacture, operation, service, or placement for play 1
by the public of any video gaming terminal without a license issued by the Commission under 2
this Article. 3
(b) The Commission shall not approve an applicant for licensure if any of the following 4
apply at the time of license: 5
(1) The applicant meets one or more of the following: 6
a. Has been convicted of a felony in any state or federal court of the 7
United States within 10 years of issuance of the license. 8
b. Employs officers or directors who have been convicted of a felony in 9
any state or federal court of the United States within 10 years of 10
issuance of the license. 11
c. Has completed a sentence for a felony in any state or federal court of 12
the United States within 10 years of issuance of the license. 13
d. Employs officers or directors who have completed a sentence for a 14
felony in any state or federal court of the United States within 10 years 15
of issuance of the license. 16
(2) The applicant is less than 21 years of age. 17
(3) The applicant has falsified the application. 18
(4) The applicant is not current in filing all applicable tax returns to the State and 19
in payment of all taxes, interest, and penalties owed to the State, excluding 20
items under formal appeal under applicable statutes. Upon request of the 21
Director, the Department of Revenue shall provide this information about a 22
specific person to the Commission. 23
(5) The applicant fails to provide all information and documentation requested by 24
the Commission. 25
(6) The Commission is not satisfied that the applicant is all of the following: 26
a. A person of good character, honesty, and integrity. 27
b. A person whose background, including criminal record, reputation, 28
and associations, does not pose a threat to the public interest of the 29
State or to the security and integrity of the Commission. 30
c. A person who, either individually or through employees, demonstrates 31
business ability and experience to establish, operate, and maintain the 32
business for the type of license for which the application is made. 33
d. A person who demonstrates adequate financing for the business 34
proposed under the type of license for which the application is made. 35
(7) The applicant resides in the same household as a member or employee of the 36
Commission. 37
(8) The applicant is an employee, director, officer, partner, or proprietor of 38
another manufacturer, operator, or video gaming merchant. 39
(c) The applicant shall furnish all information, documents, certifications, consents, 40
waivers, individual history forms, and other materials required or requested by the Commission 41
for purposes of determining qualification for that type of license. If the applicant is a public 42
company, the applicant shall file with the Commission a copy of any disclosure statement 43
involving ownership of the public company required to be filed with the United States Securities 44
and Exchange Commission. 45
(d) The applicant shall submit to a background investigation, including each partner, 46
director, officer, and all stockholders of five percent (5%) or more of any business entity, except 47
for institutional investors. The application shall be accompanied by a fee to cover the cost of the 48
criminal and financial record check conducted by the Commission. 49
(e) The burden of proof for establishing qualification under this section shall be on the 50
applicant. 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 6 House Bill 999-First Edition
(f) An operator shall not give anything of value, including a loan or a financing 1
arrangement, to any video gaming merchant as an incentive or inducement to locate video gaming 2
terminals in a specific location. The Commission shall adopt additional rules governing the 3
exchange of gifts, loans and other financing arrangements, gratuities, special discounts, favors, 4
hospitality, or service between licensees. 5
(g) In addition to the requirements provided in subsection (b) of this section, the 6
Commission shall not approve an application for an operator's license unless at least one of the 7
following applies: 8
(1) If an individual, the applicant has been (i) a resident of this State and (ii) an 9
amusement or game operator in this State for at least two years immediately 10
preceding the application, without interruption. 11
(2) If a business entity, the applicant meets all of the following criteria: 12
a. The applicant has (i) maintained a physical office location and (ii) has 13
legally been an amusement or game operator in this State for at least 14
two years immediately preceding the application, without interruption. 15
b. The applicant has been either of the following: 16
1. Incorporated or organized in this State for at least two years 17
immediately preceding the application, without interruption. 18
2. Registered to do business in this State for at least two years 19
immediately preceding the application, without interruption. 20
(h) In addition to the requirements provided in subsection (g) of this section, the 21
Commission shall not approve an application for an operator's license if, within two years of 22
submitting an application, a change of control of the applicant has occurred such that a foreign 23
individual or foreign business entity acquired a majority ownership of the applicant or otherwise 24
gained effective control of the applicant. For the purposes of this subsection, the term "foreign 25
individual" means an individual who does not meet the requirements of subdivision (1) of 26
subsection (g) of this section and the term "foreign business entity" means a business entity that 27
does not meet the requirements of subdivision (2) of subsection (g) of this section. 28
(i) The Commission, for cause, may revoke any license issued under this Article. For 29
purposes of this section, for cause includes any change in circumstances that would have resulted 30
in the licensee being ineligible for approval of a license at the time of application. 31
"§ 18C-1115. Advertising, marketing, and prizes. 32
(a) All advertisement of video gaming games and video gaming terminals is prohibited. 33
This prohibition includes: 34
(1) The placement of signage on a building advertising that video gaming 35
terminals are located within the building. 36
(2) Websites, social media posts, or other internet-based statements by a licensee. 37
(3) Online ads. 38
(4) Television, radio, satellite television, cable television, or any similar 39
mediums. 40
(5) Mailings, emails, texts, phone calls, or other direct contact methods, unless 41
the individual has explicitly consented to the contact. 42
(6) Any other advertising medium. 43
(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, every video gaming merchant shall 44
post a sign visible prior to entry that video gaming terminals are at the location. The Commission 45
shall provide a standard sign to be used by all video gaming merchants and shall establish policies 46
regarding posting of the standard sign. 47
(c) Each video gaming merchant must make gaming materials readily available to players 48
and other patrons within the building where video gaming terminals are located. The materials 49
shall provide information about, or links to, resources for responsible gaming and gambling 50
addiction and prevention. 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
House Bill 999-First Edition Page 7
(d) The payment of winnings from the placing of wagers on video gaming games shall 1
be a paid to the player winning the prize by either of the following means: 2
(1) Cash at the location of the video gaming terminal generating the prize. 3
(2) A redeemable share that may be inserted into video gaming terminals at the 4
same location of the video gaming terminal generating the prize for credits for 5
the play of video gaming games. Such share shall be used by the player 6
winning the prize only. 7
(e) No cash award on any individual wager shall exceed one thousand one hundred 8
ninety-nine dollars ($1,199). 9
(f) For the purposes of marketing, promotional credits may be issued solely to be used 10
on a lawful video gaming terminal. 11
(g) All winnings are subject to the State income tax. 12
"§§ 18C-1116 through 18C-1119. Reserved for future codification purposes. 13
"§ 18C-1120. Fees. 14
(a) All applications for licensure under this section shall be accompanied by an 15
application fee of two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) plus any cost determined by the 16
Commission for the criminal and financial record checks required under this Article. The 17
Commission shall use the fees collected under this subsection to cover the costs associated with 18
reviewing the application. 19
(b) The Commission shall charge fees for an initial license as follows: 20
(1) Manufacturers. – One hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000). 21
(2) Operators. – Two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000), plus one hundred 22
fifty dollars ($150.00) per video gaming terminal in each retail location. 23
(3) Video gaming merchants. – One thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) per 24
retail location. 25
(c) The Commission shall charge fees for renewal of a license as follows: 26
(1) Manufacturers. – One hundred thousand dollars ($100,000). 27
(2) Operators. – One hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), plus one hundred fifty 28
dollars ($150.00) per video gaming terminal in each retail location. 29
(3) Video gaming merchants. – One thousand dollars ($1,000) per retail location. 30
(d) The initial license issued by the Commission shall be valid for two years unless the 31
license is canceled or terminated. All renewals shall be valid for one year. 32
(e) A license issued by the Commission may be transferred or assigned, provided the new 33
license holder submits a new application and associated fees required under subsection (a) of this 34
section and is approved for licensure by the Commission. 35
(f) All license fees collected pursuant to this section shall be transferred to the North 36
Carolina Video Gaming Fund established under G.S. 18C-1104. 37
"§ 18C-1121. Reserved for future codification purposes. 38
"§ 18C-1122. Multiple types of licenses. 39
(a) A manufacturer, or any affiliate company, employee, beneficiary, stockholder, 40
officer, director, member, partner, or immediate family member of a manufacturer, shall be 41
ineligible for a license to be a video gaming merchant or operator. An operator, or any affiliate 42
company, employee, beneficiary, stockholder, officer, director, member, partner, or immediate 43
family member of an operator, shall be ineligible for a license to be a manufacturer or video 44
gaming merchant. A video gaming merchant, or any affiliate company, employee, beneficiary, 45
stockholder, officer, director, member, partner, or immediate family member of a video gaming 46
merchant, shall be ineligible for a license to be a manufacturer or operator. 47
(b) When contracting for a central monitoring system under Part 3 of this Article, the 48
Commission may contract with a manufacturer if the Commission is satisfied that the 49
manufacturer shall not use any knowledge or control of the central monitoring system to 50 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 8 House Bill 999-First Edition
advantage that manufacturer, an operator associated with that manufacturer, or a video gaming 1
merchant with whom that manufacturer's video gaming terminals are placed. 2
(c) The Commission shall strive to have (i) no fewer than five manufacturers licensed in 3
this State at all times and (ii) no fewer than 12 operators licensed in this State at all times. 4
"§ 18C-1123. Reserved for future codification purposes. 5
"§ 18C-1124. General duties of licensees. 6
All licensees under this Article shall do all of the following: 7
(1) Promptly report to the Commission any factors or circumstances related to 8
video gaming games operated under this Article that constitute a violation of 9
this Article or any other State or federal law. 10
(2) Promptly report to the Commission if the licensee or any of the licensee's 11
officers or directors have been convicted of a felony or any gambling offense 12
in any state or federal court of the United States at any time following 13
submission of an application or receipt of a license under this Article. 14
(3) Conduct all video gaming activities and functions in a manner that does not 15
pose a threat to the public health, safety, or welfare of the citizens of this State 16
and that does not adversely affect the security and integrity of the lottery or 17
harm video gaming games. 18
(4) Hold the Commission and the State of North Carolina harmless from and 19
defend and pay for the defense of any and all claims that may be asserted 20
against a license holder, this State, or the Commission and its employees 21
arising from the license holder's participation in or operation of video gaming 22
games. 23
(5) Assist the Commission in maximizing video gaming games revenue to the 24
State. 25
(6) Maintain all records required by the Commission. 26
(7) Keep current in all payments and obligations to the Commission. 27
(8) Provide access to the Commission and law enforcement officers when 28
required under Part 4 of this Article. 29
"§§ 18C-1125 through 18C-1129. Reserved for future codification purposes. 30
"Part 3. Video Gaming Terminals. 31
"§ 18C-1130. Possession; permitting. 32
(a) Every video gaming terminal shall have a video gaming terminal permit prior to play 33
in this State and shall be placed with a video gaming merchant for play. 34
(b) Operators shall file with the Commission the location of each permitted video gaming 35
terminal and the name and address of the video gaming merchant where each video gaming 36
terminal for public play is located. 37
(c) No video gaming terminal shall be issued a permit unless the game software is 38
certified by an independent testing laboratory. The game software, and any other component 39
required by the Commission, for all video gaming terminals shall be submitted by the 40
manufacturer to an independent testing laboratory to test for compliance with Commission rules 41
and regulations, which shall include compatibility with the central monitoring system. 42
(d) Any alterations made to the game software shall receive prior approval from the 43
Commission and recertification from the independent testing laboratory prior to being made. 44
Failure to receive prior approval of any alterations from the Commission and recertification from 45
the independent testing laboratory is grounds for revocation of licensure. 46
(e) The Commission shall not limit licensure or connection to the central monitoring 47
system to one type of video gaming terminal, one manufacturer, or one operator. 48
"§ 18C-1131. Reserved for future codification purposes. 49
"§ 18C-1132. Central monitoring system. 50 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
House Bill 999-First Edition Page 9
The Commission shall contract for a central monitoring system from a supplier of central 1
monitoring systems. All of the following shall apply to the central monitoring system used by 2
the Commission for video gaming terminals: 3
(1) The central monitoring system shall be linked by a communications network 4
through which all video gaming terminals shall connect to a single point of 5
commerce. 6
(2) All video gaming terminals shall be linked by a communications network to 7
the central monitoring system for purposes of monitoring and reading device 8
activities as provided in this section. 9
(3) The Commission shall routinely assess and inspect the operation of the central 10
monitoring system and shall notify licensees of any deficiencies. 11
(4) The video gaming terminal shall comply with the standards adopted by the 12
Commission with regard to the hardware and software requirements of the 13
central monitoring system. 14
(5) The central monitoring system shall be designed and operated to allow the 15
monitoring and reading of video gaming terminals for all of the following: 16
a. Compliance play. 17
b. Revenues to the State. 18
(6) The Commission may contract for the administration of the central monitoring 19
system but shall be responsible for oversight of that administration. 20
(7) The central monitoring system shall not provide for the monitoring or reading 21
of personal or financial information concerning patrons of video gaming 22
terminals. 23
"§ 18C-1133. Reserved for future codification purposes. 24
"§ 18C-1134. Play and posting of odds. 25
(a) Notwithstanding G.S. 18C-131(d), no person shall sell a share for play of a video 26
gaming terminal to a person under the age of 21 years. No person under the age of 21 years shall 27
purchase a share for play of a video gaming terminal or otherwise play a video gaming terminal. 28
(b) Video gaming terminals shall not allow more than the amount established by the 29
Commission to be played on a single wager. The odds of winning each video gaming game shall 30
be posted on or near each video gaming terminal. The manner in which the odds are calculated 31
and how the odds are posted shall be established by the Commission. 32
"§ 18C-1135. Voluntary exclusion program for video gaming. 33
(a) The Commission shall establish a voluntary exclusion program for any individual to 34
voluntarily exclude themselves from playing video gaming games. Licensees under this Article 35
shall use reasonable means to comply with the exclusion of individuals participating in the 36
voluntary exclusion program by the Commission. 37
(b) The voluntary exclusion program shall be exempt from Chapter 132 of the General 38
Statutes and shall be treated as confidential by each licensee under this Article. Licensees under 39
this Article conducting video gaming games in another state may share the information provided 40
under this section with its agents and affiliates in other states for excluding individuals 41
participating in the voluntary exclusion program. 42
"§ 18C-1136. Transportation between licensed video gaming merchant's establishments in 43
the State. 44
Any person transporting a video gaming terminal from one video gaming merchant's 45
establishment to another location, other than for servicing or repair, shall notify the Commission, 46
in the manner and form established by the Commission, prior to the transportation of the video 47
gaming terminal. 48
"§§ 18C-1137 through 18C-1139. Reserved for future codification purposes. 49
"Part 4. Enforcement. 50
"§ 18C-1140. Enforcement. 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 10 House Bill 999-First Edition
(a) The Commission shall have sole regulatory and administrative authority. The 1
Department of Public Safety, Alcohol Law Enforcement Division, and local law enforcement 2
shall provide criminal enforcement under this Article. 3
(b) The Commission shall coordinate with the Department of Public Safety, Alcohol Law 4
Enforcement Division, and local law enforcement to establish the confidential searchable 5
database required by G.S. 18C-114(d). The Commission shall strive to provide timely notices to 6
local law enforcement of convictions, arrests, and other charges against licensees in their 7
respective jurisdictions. 8
"§ 18C-1141. Inspection of premises, records, activities. 9
(a) The Commission, or designated Commission staff, may inspect any video gaming 10
merchant, operator, or manufacturer. The inspection may include the examination of records, 11
equipment, and proceeds related to the video gaming games. 12
(b) In addition to any authority under G.S. 18B-502, the Department of Public Safety, 13
Alcohol Law Enforcement Division, and local law enforcement shall have authority to 14
investigate the operation of each licensee under this Article, to make inspections that include 15
viewing the entire premises, and to examine the books and records of the licensee to procure 16
evidence of violations of this Chapter or Chapter 18B of the General Statutes. After each 17
inspection, a report shall be submitted to the Commission, on a form developed by the 18
Commission, detailing the results of the inspection and any potential violations noted during the 19
inspection. 20
(c) Refusal by a licensee or by any employee of a licensee to permit law enforcement 21
officers or Commission staff to enter the premises to make an inspection authorized by this 22
section shall be cause for revocation, suspension, or other action against the licensee. 23
(d) Every video gaming merchant and operator shall provide access to any law 24
enforcement officer or Commission staff requesting access to the surveillance camera footage of 25
any video gaming terminal. The Commission shall establish policies regarding custody, security, 26
and the length of time the surveillance camera footage shall be kept. 27
(e) Inspections authorized by this section may be made at any time it reasonably appears 28
that someone is on the premises. 29
"§ 18C-1142. Criminal offenses. 30
(a) A person is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor for the first offense, a Class H felony for 31
a second offense, and a Class G felony for a third or subsequent offense for any of the following: 32
(1) Possession of a video gaming terminal not explicitly authorized by this 33
Article. 34
(2) Tampering with a video gaming terminal, software, or associated equipment 35
with intent to interfere with the proper operation of the video gaming terminal. 36
(b) A person is guilty of a Class G felony for the first offense and a Class F felony for 37
any subsequent offense for any of the following: 38
(1) Intent to manipulate the outcome, payoff, or operation of a video gaming 39
terminal by physical tampering or any other means. 40
(2) Falsely reporting, or failing to report, the amount due as required by the 41
Commission, as a video gaming merchant or operator. 42
(3) Payment or acceptance of any incentive or inducement prohibited by rule or 43
policy of the Commission. 44
(c) Any video gaming merchant who pays a prize to any person in the amount less than 45
the specified prize won is guilty of a Class G felony. 46
(d) A person is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor for resisting, obstructing, or delaying an 47
officer attempting to make a lawful inspection under G.S. 18C-1141. 48
(e) It shall be unlawful to do any of the following: 49
(1) Sell a redeemable share. 50 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
House Bill 999-First Edition Page 11
(2) Sell a share for play of a video gaming terminal to a person under the age of 1
21 in violation of G.S. 18C-1134(a). 2
(3) Purchase a share for play of a video gaming terminal, or otherwise play a video 3
gaming terminal, by a person under the age of 21 in violation of 4
G.S. 18C-1134(a). 5
(4) Substitute in-kind merchandise, goods, services, or other thing of value for the 6
payment of prizes or winnings under this Article. 7
(5) Cheat while playing or operating a video gaming terminal. 8
(6) Claim, collect, or take, or attempt to claim, collect, or take money or anything 9
of value in or from a video gaming game, with intent to defraud, without 10
having made a wager contingent on winning the video gaming game. 11
(7) Claim, collect, or take an amount of money or thing of value greater than the 12
amount won on a lawfully placed wager on a video gaming terminal. 13
(8) Possess any key or device designed for the purpose of opening, entering, or 14
affecting the operation of a video gaming terminal, or an electronic or 15
mechanical device connected with the video gaming terminal or for the 16
removing wagers or other contents of a video gaming terminal. This 17
subdivision shall not apply to a licensee under this Article or an employee of 18
a licensee under this Article acting in furtherance of the employee's 19
employment. 20
(f) Unless a different punishment is otherwise expressly stated, any person who violates 21
any provision of this Article shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The Commission may 22
terminate any license issued under this Chapter upon conviction of any crime under this Chapter 23
or Article 37 of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes. 24
"§ 18C-1143. Conduct on licensed premises. 25
(a) It shall be unlawful for a licensee or any employee of the licensee to knowingly allow 26
any of the following conduct to occur on the licensed premises: 27
(1) Any violation of this Chapter. 28
(2) Any violation of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes. 29
(3) Any violation of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes. 30
(4) Any other unlawful act. 31
(b) It shall be unlawful for a licensee to fail to superintend the business for which a license 32
is issued in person or through an employee of the licensee." 33
SECTION 2.(a) G.S. 18C-103(4) reads as rewritten: 34
"(4) "Game" or "lottery game" means any procedure or amusement authorized by 35
the Commission where prizes are distributed among persons who have paid, 36
or unconditionally agreed to pay, for tickets or shares that provide the 37
opportunity to win those prizes and does not utilize a video gaming machine 38
as defined in G.S. 14-306.1(c).prizes." 39
SECTION 2.(b) G.S. 18C-113(b) reads as rewritten: 40
"(b) Records of the Commission shall be open and available to the public in accordance 41
with Chapter 132 of the General Statutes, except as provided in this Article Chapter or unless 42
disclosure could be used to potentially (i) provide an unfair advantage to a player or (ii) impair 43
or adversely impact the security or integrity of the operation of the Lottery, any of its games, 44
games or gaming activities regulated by the Commission under this Chapter, or investigations 45
into lottery contractors, potential contractors, licensees, or applicants for licensure under this 46
Chapter, or potentially fraudulent or other activities in violations of any laws, Lottery laws or 47
Commission rules, regulations, and policies." 48
SECTION 2.(c) G.S. 18C-114 reads as rewritten: 49
"§ 18C-114. Powers and duties of the Commission. 50
(a) The Commission shall have the following powers and duties: 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 12 House Bill 999-First Edition
… 1
(8) To charge a fee of potential contractors, of lottery contractors, of lottery 2
retailers, and of licensees and potential licensees and their key persons not to 3
exceed the cost of the criminal history record check.check, credit check, and 4
other background checks. 5
… 6
(15) To establish requirements for linking all video gaming terminals under a 7
central monitoring system in accordance with Article 11 of this Chapter, 8
including creating and maintaining a central monitoring system, which shall 9
accommodate connection to the central monitoring system by video gaming 10
terminals of each manufacturer. 11
(16) To establish criteria for information systems, operating procedures, reporting, 12
and accounting criteria for video gaming games consistent with Article 11 of 13
this Chapter. 14
(17) To establish dispute resolution policies for all licensees under Articles 9, 10, 15
and 11 of this Chapter, which shall be exhausted prior to any claim being filed 16
in the courts. 17
… 18
(c) The Commission and the Department of Revenue may agree to exchange any data 19
necessary to enforce and administer Articles 9 and 10 9, 10, and 11 of this Chapter and Article 20
2E of Chapter 105 of the General Statutes, including information deemed necessary to perform 21
an audit of a licensee or taxpayer under those Articles." 22
SECTION 2.(d) G.S. 18C-120(b) reads as rewritten: 23
"(b) The Director shall have the following powers and duties, under the supervision of the 24
Commission: 25
… 26
(7) To confer with the Commission on the operation and administration of the 27
Lottery this Chapter and make available for inspection by the Commission all 28
books, records, files, documents, and other information of the 29
Lottery.maintained under this Chapter. 30
… 31
(12) To engage an independent firm experienced in security procedures, including 32
computer security and systems security, to conduct a comprehensive study 33
and evaluation of all aspects of security in the operation of the video gaming 34
terminals. At a minimum, such a security assessment is to include a review of 35
network vulnerability, application vulnerability, application code review, 36
wireless security, security policy and processes, security and privacy program 37
management, technology infrastructure and security controls, security 38
organization and governance, and operational effectiveness." 39
SECTION 2.(e) G.S. 18C-161(3) reads as rewritten: 40
"(3) All other funds credited or appropriated to the Commission from any source, 41
except as provided in Articles 9 and 10 9, 10, and 11 of this Chapter." 42
SECTION 3.(a) Article 2 of Chapter 18C of the General Statutes is amended by 43
adding a new section to read: 44
"§ 18C-117. Gifts. 45
(a) A prohibited giver shall not pay, give, or make any economic opportunity, gift, loan, 46
gratuity, special discount, favor, hospitality, or service, including food and beverages, having an 47
aggregate value not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100.00) in any calendar year to the Director, 48
to any member or employee of the Commission or any member of the immediate family residing 49
in the same household as one of these individuals. 50 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
House Bill 999-First Edition Page 13
(b) The Director, any member or employee of the Commission, or any member of the 1
immediate family residing in the same household as one of these individuals shall not accept the 2
offer of any economic opportunity, gift, loan, gratuity, special discount, favor, hospitality, or 3
service, including food and beverages having an aggregate value not exceeding one hundred 4
dollars ($100.00) in any calendar year from a prohibited giver. 5
(c) For purposes of this section, a prohibited giver is any of the following: 6
(1) A lottery retailer. 7
(2) A licensee or applicant to be a licensee under this Chapter. 8
(3) A lottery contractor or potential contractor. 9
(4) A lottery supplier." 10
SECTION 3.(b) G.S. 18C-143(e) is repealed. 11
SECTION 3.(c) G.S. 18C-151(f) is repealed. 12
SECTION 4.(a) Chapter 105 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new 13
Article to read: 14
"Article 2F. 15
"Unauthorized Gaming Machine Tax. 16
"§ 105-113.150. Purpose. 17
The purpose of this Article is to levy an excise tax to generate revenue for State and local law 18
enforcement agencies and for the General Fund. Nothing in this Article may in any manner 19
provide immunity from criminal prosecution for a person who possesses an illegal gaming 20
machine. 21
"§ 105-113.151. Definitions. 22
The following definitions apply in this Article: 23
(1) Operator. – A person who places an unauthorized gaming machine for play 24
by the public or who owns an establishment where an unauthorized gaming 25
machine is placed for play by the public. 26
(2) Unauthorized gaming machine. – Any of the following: 27
a. A video gaming terminal without a valid video gaming terminal permit 28
under Article 11 of Chapter 18C of the General Statutes. 29
b. A gaming table prohibited to be used by G.S. 14-289 through 30
G.S. 14-300. 31
c. Any illegal punchboard or illegal slot machine. 32
d. Any video game machine prohibited to be used by G.S. 14-306 or 33
G.S. 14-306.1A. 34
e. Any game terminal described in G.S. 14-306.3(b). 35
f. Any electronic machine or device using an entertaining display in 36
violation of G.S. 14-306.4. 37
"§ 105-113.152. Excise tax on unauthorized gaming machines. 38
(a) Tax. – An excise tax is levied on each unauthorized gaming machine at a rate of ten 39
thousand dollars ($10,000) per machine. 40
(b) Payment of Tax. – The tax imposed by this Article is payable by an operator on each 41
unauthorized gaming machine in this State for which the tax has not been paid, as evidenced by 42
a stamp. The tax is payable within 48 hours after a non-tax-paid unauthorized gaming machine 43
is placed by the operator for play by the public, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal 44
holidays of this State, in which case the tax is payable on the next working day. Upon payment 45
of the tax, the operator shall permanently affix the appropriate stamps to the unauthorized gaming 46
machine. Once the tax due on an unauthorized gaming machine has been paid, no additional tax 47
is due under this Article even though the unauthorized gaming machine may be handled by other 48
operators. 49
"§ 105-113.153. Revenue stamps; reports. 50 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 14 House Bill 999-First Edition
(a) Revenue Stamps. – The Secretary shall issue stamps to affix to unauthorized gaming 1
machines to indicate payment of the tax required by this Article. Operators shall report the taxes 2
payable under this Article at the time and on the return prescribed by the Secretary. 3
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, operators are not required to give their name, 4
address, social security number, or other identifying information on the return, and the return is 5
not required to be verified by oath or affirmation. Upon payment of the tax, the Secretary shall 6
issue stamps in an amount equal to the amount of the tax paid. Taxes may be paid and stamps 7
may be issued either by mail or in person. 8
(b) Reports. – Every local law enforcement agency and every State law enforcement 9
agency must report to the Department within 48 hours of charging an operator for a violation 10
related to an unauthorized gaming machine upon which a valid revenue stamp has not been 11
affixed or seizing an unauthorized gaming machine upon which a valid revenue stamp has not 12
been affixed. The report must be in the form prescribed by the Secretary, and it must include the 13
time and place of the charge or seizure, the amount and location of the unauthorized gaming 14
machines, the identification of any operators charged or associated with the seizure and their 15
social security numbers, and any other information prescribed by the Secretary. The report must 16
be made when the charge or seizure involves an unauthorized gaming machine upon which a 17
stamp has not been affixed as required by this Article. 18
"§ 105-113.154. Assessments. 19
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an assessment against an operator for an 20
unauthorized gaming machine to which a stamp has not been affixed as required by this Article 21
shall be made as provided in this section. The Secretary shall assess a tax, applicable penalties, 22
and interest based on personal knowledge or information available to the Secretary. The Secretary 23
shall notify the operator in writing of the amount of the tax, penalty, and interest due and demand 24
its immediate payment. The notice and demand shall be either mailed to the operator at the 25
operator's last known address or served on the operator in person. If the operator does not pay 26
the tax, penalty, and interest immediately upon receipt of the notice and demand, the Secretary 27
shall collect the tax, penalty, and interest pursuant to the jeopardy collection procedures in 28
G.S. 105-241.23 or the general collection procedures in G.S. 105-242, including causing 29
execution to be issued immediately against the personal property of the operator, unless the 30
operator files with the Secretary a bond in the amount of the asserted liability for the tax, penalty, 31
and interest. The Secretary shall use all means available to collect the tax, penalty, and interest 32
from any property in which the operator has a legal, equitable, or beneficial interest. The operator 33
may seek review of the assessment as provided in Article 9 of this Chapter. If the Secretary 34
assesses more than one operator for the tax on an unauthorized gaming machine, each operator 35
assessed is jointly and severally liable for the tax. 36
"§ 105-113.155. Confidentiality of information. 37
(a) Information obtained by the Department in the course of administering the tax 38
imposed by this Article, including information on whether the Department has issued a revenue 39
stamp to a person, is confidential tax information and is subject to the provisions of G.S. 105-259. 40
(b) Information obtained by the Department from the taxpayer in the course of 41
administering the tax imposed by this Article, including information on whether the Department 42
has issued a revenue stamp to a person, may not be used as evidence, as defined in G.S. 15A-971, 43
by a prosecutor in a criminal prosecution of the taxpayer for an offense related to the possession 44
or operation of the unauthorized gaming machine. Under this prohibition, no officer, employee, 45
or agent of the Department may testify about this information in a criminal prosecution of the 46
taxpayer for an offense related to the possession or operation of the unauthorized gaming 47
machine. This subsection implements the protections against double jeopardy and 48
self-incrimination set out in Amendment V of the United States Constitution and the restrictions 49
in it apply regardless of whether information may be disclosed under G.S. 105-259. An officer, 50 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
House Bill 999-First Edition Page 15
employee, or agent of the Department who provides evidence or testifies in violation of this 1
subsection is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. 2
"§ 105-113.156. Use of tax proceeds. 3
(a) Special Account. – The Unauthorized Gaming Machine Tax Account is established 4
as a special nonreverting account. The Secretary shall credit the proceeds of the tax levied by this 5
Article to the Account. 6
(b) Distribution. – The Secretary shall distribute unencumbered tax proceeds in the 7
Unauthorized Gaming Machine Tax Account on a quarterly or more frequent basis. Tax proceeds 8
in the Account are unencumbered when they are collectible under G.S. 105-241.22. The 9
Secretary shall distribute seventy-five percent (75%) of the unencumbered tax proceeds in the 10
Account that were collected by assessment to the State or local law enforcement agency that 11
conducted the investigation of an operator that led to the assessment. If more than one State or 12
local law enforcement agency conducted the investigation, the Secretary shall determine the 13
equitable share for each agency based on the contribution each agency made to the investigation. 14
The Secretary shall credit the remaining unencumbered tax proceeds in the Account to the 15
General Fund. 16
(c) Refunds. – The refund of a tax that has already been distributed shall be drawn 17
initially from the Unauthorized Gaming Machine Tax Account. The amount of refunded taxes 18
that were distributed to a law enforcement agency under this section and any interest shall be 19
subtracted from succeeding distributions from the Account to that law enforcement agency. The 20
amount of refunded taxes that were credited to the General Fund under this section and any 21
interest shall be subtracted from succeeding credits to the General Fund from the Account. 22
(d) Use. – Funds provided to State and local law enforcement agencies pursuant to this 23
section shall be used for expenses incurred by the agency for enforcing the laws of this State and 24
carrying out other duties set by law. Such funds are supplemental to, and shall not supplant, local 25
or State funding received by the law enforcement agency." 26
SECTION 4.(b) This section becomes effective December 1, 2025, and applies to 27
taxes due on unauthorized gaming machines on or after that date. 28
SECTION 5. G.S. 14-306.1A is amended by adding a new subsection to read: 29
"(g) Nothing in this section shall be construed to make illegal any activity conducted 30
pursuant to Article 11 of Chapter 18C of the General Statutes." 31
SECTION 6. G.S. 14-306.4 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: 32
"(d1) Nothing in this section shall be construed to make illegal any activity conducted 33
pursuant to Article 11 of Chapter 18C of the General Statutes." 34
SECTION 7. G.S. 105-259(b)(33) reads as rewritten: 35
"(33) To provide to the North Carolina State Lottery Commission the information 36
required under G.S. 18C-141 and G.S. 18C-1114 or agreed upon under 37
G.S. 18C-114(c)." 38
SECTION 8.(a) G.S. 14-298 reads as rewritten: 39
"§ 14-298. Seizure of illegal gaming items. 40
Upon a determination that probable cause exists to believe that any gaming table prohibited 41
to be used by G.S. 14-289 through G.S. 14-300, any illegal punchboard or illegal slot machine, 42
any video game machine prohibited to be used by G.S. 14-306 or G.S. 14-306.1A, any game 43
terminal described in G.S. 14-306.3(b), or any electronic machine or device using an entertaining 44
display in violation of G.S. 14-306.4 is in the illegal possession or use of any person within the 45
limits of their jurisdiction, all sheriffs and law enforcement officers are authorized to seize the 46
items in accordance with applicable State law. Any law enforcement agency in possession of that 47
item shall retain the item pending a disposition order from a district or superior court judge. Upon 48
application by the law enforcement agency, district attorney, or owner, and after notice and 49
opportunity to be heard by all parties, if the court determines that the item is unlawful to possess, 50
it shall enter an order releasing the item to the law enforcement agency for destruction or for 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 16 House Bill 999-First Edition
training purposes. purposes and shall order the owner to pay the reasonable costs of storage and 1
disposal incurred by the seizing law enforcement agency. If the item was seized for use as 2
evidence in a criminal action or proceeding against the owner of the item, upon any plea of guilty 3
or nolo contendere in that action or proceeding by the owner of the item, the court shall order the 4
owner to pay the reasonable costs of storage and disposal incurred by the seizing law enforcement 5
agency. If the court determines that the item is not unlawful to possess and will not be used in 6
violation of the law, the item shall be ordered released to its owner upon satisfactory proof of 7
ownership. The foregoing procedures for release shall not apply, however, with respect to an 8
item seized for use as evidence in any criminal action or proceeding until after entry of final 9
judgment." 10
SECTION 8.(b) G.S. 14-299 reads as rewritten: 11
"§ 14-299. Property exhibited by gamblers to be seized; disposition of same. 12
Except as provided in Chapter 18C of the General Statutes or in G.S. 14-292, all moneys or 13
other property or thing of value exhibited for the purpose of alluring persons to bet on any game, 14
or used in the conduct of any such game, including any motor vehicle (i) used in the conduct of 15
a lottery within the purview of G.S. 14-291.1, G.S. 14-291.1 or (ii) used to transport any video 16
game machine prohibited by G.S. 14-306 or G.S. 14-306.1A, or any electronic machine or device 17
prohibited by G.S. 14-306.4, shall be liable to be seized by any court of competent jurisdiction 18
or by any person acting under its warrant. Moneys so seized shall be turned over to and paid to 19
the treasurer of the county wherein they are seized, and placed in the general fund of the county. 20
Any property seized which is used for and is suitable only for gambling shall be destroyed, and 21
all other property so seized shall be sold in the manner provided for the sale of personal property 22
by execution, and the proceeds derived from said sale shall (after deducting the expenses of 23
keeping the property and the costs of the sale and after paying, according to their priorities all 24
known prior, bona fide liens which were created without the lienor having knowledge or notice 25
that the motor vehicle or other property was being used or to be used in connection with the 26
conduct of such game or lottery) be turned over and paid to the treasurer of the county wherein 27
the property was seized, to be placed by said treasurer in the general fund of the county." 28
SECTION 8.(c) G.S. 14-306(a) reads as rewritten: 29
"(a) Any machine, apparatus or device is a slot machine or device within the provisions 30
of G.S. 14-296 through 14-309, if it is one that is adapted, or may be readily converted into one 31
that is adapted, for use in such a way that, as a result of the payment of any piece of money or 32
coin or token or any credit card, debit card, prepaid card, or any other method that requires 33
payment to activate play, whether directly into the slot machine or device or resulting in remote 34
activation, such machine or device is caused to operate or may be operated in such manner that 35
the user may receive or become entitled to receive any piece of money, credit, allowance or thing 36
of value, or any check, slug, token or memorandum, whether of value or otherwise, or which may 37
be exchanged for any money, credit, allowance or any thing of value, or which may be given in 38
trade, or the user may secure additional chances or rights to use such machine, apparatus or 39
device; or any other machine or device designed and manufactured primarily for use in 40
connection with gambling and which machine or device is classified by the United States as 41
requiring a federal gaming device tax stamp under applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue 42
Code. This definition is intended to embrace all slot machines and similar devices except slot 43
machines in which is kept any article to be purchased by depositing any coin or thing of value, 44
and for which may be had any article of merchandise which makes the same return or returns of 45
equal value each and every time it is operated, or any machine wherein may be seen any pictures 46
or heard any music by depositing therein any coin or thing of value, or any slot weighing machine 47
or any machine for making stencils by the use of contrivances operated by depositing in the 48
machine any coin or thing of value, or any lock operated by slot wherein money or thing of value 49
is to be deposited, where such slot machines make the same return or returns of equal value each 50
and every time the same is operated and does not at any time it is operated offer the user or 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
House Bill 999-First Edition Page 17
operator any additional money, credit, allowance, or thing of value, or check, slug, token or 1
memorandum, whether of value or otherwise, which may be exchanged for money, credit, 2
allowance or thing of value or which may be given in trade or by which the user may secure 3
additional chances or rights to use such machine, apparatus, or device, or in the playing of which 4
the operator does not have a chance to make varying scores or tallies. Each game console, play 5
station, or other access point allowing a person to operate a slot machine shall constitute a 6
separate machine or device." 7
SECTION 8.(d) This section becomes effective December 1, 2025, and applies to 8
offenses committed on or after that date. 9
SECTION 9. The North Carolina State Lottery Commission shall use sufficient 10
funds from the North Carolina State Lottery Fund to cover initial operating expenses of the 11
Commission to implement Article 9 of Chapter 18C of the General Statutes, as enacted by this 12
act, except that the total amount borrowed by the Commission shall not exceed fourteen million 13
dollars ($14,000,000). Of the borrowed funds, three million dollars ($3,000,000) shall be 14
transferred to the Department of Public Safety, Alcohol Law Enforcement Division, for 15
enforcement of this act; one million dollars ($1,000,000) shall be transferred to the Department 16
of Public Safety for grants to local law enforcement agencies to combat illegal gaming, to be 17
awarded upon recommendation by the Governor's Crime Commission; and the remainder shall 18
be available for expenditure for the purposes set forth in this act without further action by the 19
General Assembly. The Commission shall repay any funds used out of the North Carolina State 20
Lottery Fund pursuant to this section from amounts allocated to the Commission under 21
G.S. 18C-1103(1), as enacted by this act, within 24 months after the effective date of this act. 22
SECTION 10.(a) G.S. 18C-1103, as enacted by this act, reads as rewritten: 23
"§ 18C-1103. Allocation of revenues. 24
(a) The Commission shall determine the procedures for the monitoring, collection, and 25
distribution of net machine revenues from video gaming terminals. The portion of net machine 26
revenues allocated to the Commission in subdivisions (1) and (2) of this section shall be 27
transferred before any other allocations are made from the net machine revenues and deposited 28
into an account as directed by the Commission. The net machine revenues shall be distributed by 29
the Commission in conformity with the following: 30
(1) Thirty-two percent (32%) of the total net machine revenues shall be 31
transferred to the Commission. The Commission shall transfer amounts 32
allocated under this subdivision to the North Carolina Video Gaming Fund 33
established under G.S. 18C-1104. 34
(2) Eight percent (8%) of the total net revenues shall be transferred to the 35
Commission to be credited as required under this this subdivision. The 36
revenues allocated under this subdivision shall be credited in the following 37
priority: 38
a. Costs to the Commission associated with administering this Article. 39
b. Costs associated with the central monitoring system. 40
c. Costs associated with the Department of Public Safety, Alcohol Law 41
Enforcement Division, associated with enforcement of this Article, 42
which shall include a transfer of at least three million dollars 43
($3,000,000) annually. 44
d. One million dollars ($1,000,000) annually to the Department of Public 45
Safety for grants to counties for sheriffs and municipal police 46
departments to combat illegal gaming, to be awarded upon 47
recommendation by the Governor's Crime Commission. 48
e. Two hundred twenty-five thousand dollars ($225,000) annually to the 49
Conference of District Attorneys for an attorney position dedicated to 50
the prosecution of illegal gambling activities. 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 18 House Bill 999-First Edition
e1. Two million dollars ($2,000,000) in each fiscal year to each of the 1
following institutions for improving graduation rates and student 2
success or sustainability of the institution: 3
1. Elizabeth City State University. 4
2. Fayetteville State University. 5
3. North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. 6
4. North Carolina Central University. 7
5. Winston-Salem State University. 8
6. University of North Carolina at Pembroke. 9
f. Remaining proceeds to the North Carolina Video Gaming Fund 10
established under G.S. 18C-1104. 11
(3) Thirty percent (30%) of the net machine revenues shall be allocated to 12
operators. 13
(4) Thirty percent (30%) of the net machine revenues shall be allocated to video 14
gaming merchants. 15
(b) Each of the constituent institutions receiving distributions or a grant under this section 16
shall annually report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee as to how that 17
institution has used the funds from the prior fiscal year, including the measures by which that 18
institution is gauging success of the programs and other uses of the funds." 19
SECTION 10.(b) This section becomes effective July 1, 2027, and applies to 20
transfers made on or after that date. 21
SECTION 11.(a) The North Carolina State Lottery Commission shall identify a date 22
upon which video gaming terminal play is authorized in this State and shall do all of the following 23
at least 90 days in advance of that date: 24
(1) Publish that date in the North Carolina Registry. 25
(2) Report that date to the Joint Lottery Oversight Committee. 26
SECTION 11.(b) The North Carolina State Lottery Commission may adopt rules to 27
facilitate the licensure authorized in this act prior to the date published in the North Carolina 28
Registry of the date identified by the North Carolina Lottery Commission under this section; 29
however, no rule may become effective until on or after that date. The Commission may accept 30
and issue applications for licensure in accordance with Article 11 of Chapter 18C of the General 31
Statutes, as enacted by this act, prior to the date published in the North Carolina Registry of the 32
date identified by the North Carolina Lottery Commission under this section, in order that 33
licensees may begin operations on that date; however, no license issued by the Commission shall 34
become effective prior to the date published in the North Carolina Registry of the date identified 35
by the North Carolina Lottery Commission under this section. 36
SECTION 12. Sections 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7 of this act become effective December 1, 37
2025, and, except as otherwise provided, the remainder of this act is effective when it becomes 38
law. The Lottery Commission may initiate requests for proposals for the central monitoring 39
system, as required by G.S. 18C-1132, as enacted by this act, prior to December 1, 2025, but may 40
not award any contract prior to that date. 41