Lumbee Tribe Votes Down Amendment Tied to Casino Plan

PEMBROKE, N.C.: Lumbee voters have rejected a constitutional amendment that would have cleared a path toward tribal gaming in Robeson County.

The result stalls plans for a possible casino, hotel and entertainment complex on tribal land near Interstate 95, just months after the Lumbee Tribe secured full federal recognition.

Unofficial results showed 62.6% of voters opposed the amendment, with 5,775 “no” votes compared with 3,490 “yes” votes. A total of 9,265 ballots were cast in the special election, with “no” votes outnumbering “yes” votes across all 21 voting precincts.

Gaming Amendment Rejected Across Lumbee Precincts

The proposed amendment would have authorized and regulated gaming on tribal territory. It also would have given the tribal chairperson authority to negotiate a gaming compact with the state, subject to approval by the Tribal Council, and helped establish a tribal gaming regulatory structure.

Supporters said the amendment could have opened the door to a major economic development project, including a casino, hotel, golf course, water park, museum and other entertainment uses. They argued that gaming revenue could support programs tied to housing, health care, education and infrastructure.

Opponents raised concerns about how the amendment was written and whether it would shift too much authority away from voters and toward elected tribal officials. Some opponents said they were not against gaming itself, but wanted a different amendment before the tribe moved forward.

The vote followed weeks of public debate over the future of gaming after the Lumbee Tribe gained federal recognition in December 2025. Tribal leaders had framed the amendment as a decision on whether the tribe should pursue gaming as part of its economic development strategy.

Chairman Says Gaming Will Not Move Forward During His Term

Lumbee Tribal Chairman John Lowery said he would respect the outcome and would not bring the issue forward again during the remaining 18 months of his tenure.

“This decision by the majority of Lumbee voters is historic and ensures we will not move forward with gaming. I will honor the wishes of the majority, and I will not bring this issue forward again over the remaining 18 months of my tenure”, Lowery said.

Lowery also said he was proud of voter participation in the special election, even though he was disappointed with the outcome. Results remain unofficial until certification by the Lumbee Tribe Election Board.

The vote marked the tribe’s first major decision since federal recognition, which expanded the tribe’s ability to pursue opportunities available to federally recognized tribes. Gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act would have required a regulatory structure and, depending on the form of gaming, agreements with state government.

Future of I-95 Land Remains Uncertain

The vote leaves questions over the future of a large tract of land purchased by Lumbee Tribal Holdings, the tribe’s for-profit arm. The property covers roughly 240 acres near Interstate 95 in Robeson County and had been discussed as a potential site for a casino and resort development.

Before the vote, Lowery said the land could be used for other economic development if the amendment failed. Supporters of the casino proposal said after the result that they were surprised and disappointed, while opponents said the tribe should consider a better-defined proposal if gaming returns as a future issue.

The decision also comes as neighboring South Carolina continues to debate casino possibilities along the Interstate 95 corridor. Some supporters of the Lumbee proposal had argued that delay could leave southeastern North Carolina competing with other casino projects in the region.

The vote also lands against a wider backdrop of casino expansion debate in the state, including an earlier North Carolina casino proposal involving three sites that showed how commercial gaming has remained a recurring political issue beyond tribal land.

For now, the vote prevents the current casino plan from moving ahead. Tribal leaders are expected to decide how the land can be used for other development opportunities while the gaming issue remains off the table under Lowery’s current leadership.

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