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Members of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina voted down a constitutional amendment that would have cleared the way for a proposed casino and entertainment complex along Interstate 95 in Robeson County, tribal leaders confirmed June 23.
Lumbee Tribal Chairman John L. Lowery announced the outcome in a Facebook post following the vote, saying the result effectively ends the tribe’s current push for gaming under his administration.
“A majority of the Lumbee people have spoken,” Lowery wrote. “They have said no to progress and have decided to stay with the status quo.” According to WRAL News’ reporting, Lowery later stated he would not revisit the issue during the remaining 18 months of his term.
Tribal members debated more than casino gaming
The Lumbee Tribal Council vote followed months of debate over proposed amendments to the tribe’s constitution. While public discussion often focused on the possibility of a casino, opponents argued the vote was also about governance and tribal oversight.
Robin Branch, a tribal member who opposed the amendment, said concerns centered on shifting authority over gaming decisions from tribal members to elected leaders.
“It’s disappointing how this vote was portrayed as simply yes or no on gaming,” Branch told WRAL. “It was much more than that.”
Under the proposal, the tribal council would have gained authority to:
- Approve gaming agreements
- Regulate casino operations
- Confirm appointments to gaming oversight boards
Supporters argued the changes would streamline negotiations and align the tribe’s governance structure with other federally recognized tribes operating casinos in North Carolina.
Former tribal council member Wanda Burns-Ramsey supported the amendment, saying voters already exercise their influence through elected representation. “We still have a vote,” Burns-Ramsey said. “We vote for the chairman and tribal representatives. That doesn’t take away our voice.”
Supporters viewed casino project as economic opportunity
Supporters of the proposal argued the tribal casino project could create long-term economic growth for Robeson County and the Lumbee Tribe.
The Lumbee Tribe gained full federal recognition in December 2025 after decades of advocacy. Shortly afterward, the tribe purchased approximately 240 acres near the I-95 and Interstate 74 interchange in Robeson County for more than $6 million, according to WRAL News.
Preliminary plans for the proposed development included hotels, a convention center, a golf course, a cultural heritage center and a casino resort. Tribal leaders previously estimated the project could create roughly 3,000 to 3,500 jobs and generate revenue to support housing, education, health care and public safety initiatives for tribal members.
Aydan Bullard, a supporter of the amendment, said younger generations could benefit from the proposed development.
“I feel like our generation and our kids will reap the benefits,” Bullard said. “It’ll help our community, and we’ve been waiting for this opportunity for so long.”
South Carolina casino discussions added urgency
Supporters also warned that delays could jeopardize the tribe’s opportunity to establish a casino destination along the heavily traveled I-95 corridor.
South Carolina lawmakers have continued discussing legislation that could allow commercial casinos near the North Carolina border, including in Dillon and Marlboro counties. Gov. Henry McMaster has historically opposed casino expansion, but several candidates seeking to succeed him have expressed greater openness to gambling development.
Burns-Ramsey said some tribal members feared another state could move first if the Lumbee Tribe delayed its plans. “We don’t want to waste this opportunity,” she said.
Casino plans remain uncertain after amendment defeat
Axios Raleigh reported that some opponents questioned both the land purchase and the scope of the constitutional changes tied to the proposal.
Despite the amendment’s defeat, some tribal members said they still support future gaming efforts if pursued under a different governance structure. “Our coalition was never anti-gaming,” Branch said after the vote. “We just wanted a better amendment.”
