Voters decline proposal tied to I-95 casino project
The Lumbee Tribe has rejected a proposed constitutional amendment that would have allowed the Tribal Council to authorize casino gaming on tribally owned land along Interstate 95. The vote ends the tribe's current effort to pursue a casino project on a 240-acre site near the I-95/I-74 interchange in Robeson County.
Tribal Chairman John Lowery acknowledged the outcome in a public statement following the vote, saying the results mean the Lumbee Tribe "will not move forward with gaming" under the proposed amendment.
#1 Choice of U.S. Players!Election results and what was at stake
According to local reporting, the amendment failed in Tuesday's referendum. The proposal would have changed the Lumbee Constitution to shift authority over gaming decisions from the full tribal membership to the Tribal Council. Without that change, the tribe cannot proceed with the current casino development plan.
The referendum drew significant attention across Robeson County, where supporters and opponents debated both the economic potential of a casino and the long-term implications of altering the tribe's governing document.
What the amendment would have changed
The proposed constitutional amendment was designed to give the Tribal Council clearer authority over gaming decisions and future casino projects. Key elements of the proposal included:
- Transferring authority over gaming from the full tribal membership to the Tribal Council
- Enabling the tribe to pursue a casino resort on the I-95 property
- Establishing a governance framework for future gaming operations
Opponents argued that the amendment would weaken checks and balances, reduce direct voting power for tribal members, and concentrate too much authority in the hands of elected council members. Supporters pointed to potential economic development, job creation, and regional investment tied to a casino project along a major interstate corridor.
Chairman Lowery's response
In his public comments, Chairman Lowery said the tribe respects the will of the voters and will abide by the decision to reject the amendment. He emphasized that the referendum process reflects the Lumbee Tribe's commitment to self-governance and to giving members a direct voice on major policy questions.
Lowery also noted that, without constitutional authority to move forward with gaming, the tribe will not pursue the casino project as it was proposed for the I-95 site.
Impact on the I-95 casino proposal
The vote effectively halts the Lumbee Tribe's casino plans for the I-95 property. Without the amendment, the tribe does not have the constitutional framework needed to authorize and regulate casino gaming.
As a result, the tribe cannot move forward with:
- Construction of a casino or related gaming facilities
- Resort-style hospitality or entertainment projects tied to gaming
- Negotiations or agreements specifically dependent on casino operations
The land remains tribally owned, but its future use will require new planning outside the scope of casino gaming. Tribal leaders have not yet outlined alternative development concepts for the site.
Next steps for the Lumbee Tribe
The Lumbee Tribe has not announced any follow-up actions or a new timeline for considering gaming-related changes to its constitution. Any future casino proposal would require another constitutional amendment and a new vote of the tribal membership.
For now, the referendum result underscores the importance tribal members place on maintaining direct control over major governance decisions, including whether to authorize casino gaming on Lumbee land.
