House committee considers broad alcohol, gaming bill
RALEIGH, N.C. — A North Carolina House committee is scheduled to consider a broad alcohol and gaming bill that would affect ABC stores, mixed beverage permittees, premixed cocktails, nonprofit raffles and game nights.
House Bill 921, titled the “ABC & Gaming Omnibus Bill,” is on the House Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee calendar for 10 a.m. Tuesday. The calendar notes that a proposed committee substitute is expected to be considered.
The bill was filed April 10, 2025, and referred to the House Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee, with additional referrals to Finance and Rules if it receives favorable action.
The bill is sponsored by Reps. Dudley Greene, Phil Shepard and Keith Kidwell as primary sponsors, with Rep. Ben Moss also listed on the bill page.
The filed version includes multiple changes to state alcohol and gaming laws. The bill would allow ABC stores to identify North Carolina distilled or produced spirits through shelf or price tags instead of requiring a dedicated display area solely for North Carolina products.
It also would allow local governments to permit Sunday ABC store operations if a local ABC board petitions the county commissioners or city governing board. The bill includes similar authority involving the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the Catawba Indian Nation. Stores authorized for Sunday sales could not open or sell alcoholic beverages before 10 a.m. under the filed bill, while tribal provisions use a noon threshold.
The bill also includes provisions related to mobile bar services, mixed beverage purchases, premixed cocktail distribution and taxation, alcohol-infused whipped cream, temporary drink pricing and social districts.
The filed version would create a regulatory structure for premixed cocktails, including wholesaler permits, vendor permits, distribution rules and a 30% excise tax on premixed cocktails.
The gaming portions of the bill would increase the annual limit on game nights for exempt organizations and qualified facilities. It also would create an exemption for 50/50 raffles from several existing raffle restrictions.
Because the committee calendar refers to a proposed committee substitute, the bill considered Tuesday may differ from the filed version. The text of that substitute was not included on the bill page in the material reviewed.
The bill has potential effects for restaurants, bars, ABC boards, local governments, nonprofits, wholesalers, alcohol manufacturers and consumers. It also could draw debate from lawmakers or groups concerned about expanded alcohol access, gaming rules, local control or state revenue.
Editor’s note: This article was drafted with the assistance of artificial intelligence and was reviewed and fact-checked by a member of the NC Political News editorial team before publication.
