Senate takes up Cherokee casino games

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - North Carolina lawmakers are moving to change gambling laws and allow the state's only casino to offer live dealer poker and blackjack games.

Legislation introduced in the General Assembly on Wednesday would validate a gambling compact reached in November between Gov. Beverly Perdue and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

The key changes allow live dealers for card games like poker and blackjack at the tribe's western North Carolina casino, with a share of the revenue from the new games going to the state. The 30-year agreement would begin sharing 4 percent of card-game revenues and increase that to 8 percent.

Opponents believe the measure's path through the Senate seems assured, but a coalition of social conservatives and liberal Democrats could fight it in the House.