A Regulated and Taxed Video Gaming Industry Could Generate 6,000 New Jobs Across North Carolina

RALEIGH, N.C., Oct. 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — As state officials are tallying the accounting books to determine how much money Dell Computers owes the state after accepting millions in economic incentives and then closing their facility and laying off 905 workers, the Entertainment Group of North Carolina says today a regulated and taxed video gaming industry could generate 6,000 new jobs in the state.

Governor Beverly Perdue told members of the news media on Wednesday that the state will “aggressively pursue new business and job opportunities.” She said the state was “resilient and we know how to adapt and overcome challenges.”

The Entertainment Group of North Carolina says the Governor and General Assembly should look at regulating and taxing the video gaming industry to create new jobs and a new revenue stream for the state. “There are more than 14,000 convenience stores, restaurants and taverns in the state that could fuel job growth by a licensed, regulated and taxed video gaming industry,” said William Thevaos, president of the Entertainment Group of North Carolina.

A state regulated and taxed video gaming business could create up to 6,000 new jobs across North Carolina and generate up to $500 million in new revenue without raising taxes. And the video gaming industry isn’t asking for any state incentives.

It’s a clean, carbon-neutral industry that can produce good paying jobs in the service sector, including the restaurant and entertainment industry as well as the convenience store retail sector.

“We believe we have the ability to help the state create jobs and establish a new revenue stream without having to raise taxes,” said William Thevaos, president of the Entertainment Group of North Carolina. “We want to partner with the state to provide oversight, regulation and taxation of video lottery terminals in North Carolina.”

Thevaos said video gaming rights have been validated by three Superior Court rulings. “Video gaming is in North Carolina. That’s why the Entertainment Group of North Carolina is asking the Governor and the General Assembly to set some guidelines, rules, and regulations that will govern the industry, protect the consumer and provide a reliable stream of revenue to the state.”

SOURCE Entertainment Group of North Carolina