The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina voted not to move forward with a proposed casino development in Robeson County on June 23. 

Unofficial results from the Lumbee Tribe Elections board show that 62 percent of voters rejected the amendment. In the votes that were cast, 5,553 votes opposed the proposed amendment, while 3,363 votes were in favor. This was the first major tribal vote since the Lumbee Tribe achieved federal recognition in 2025. 

The proposed casino would’ve been on a stretch of land, 250 acres, on the I-95 corridor. The Lumbee Dark Water Resort plans had the casino, a waterpark, convention centers and a hotel. The Lumbee People are known as the "People of the Dark Water," the inspiration of the resort's name and design.

While on the surface, the vote may have seemed like a “yes” or “no” regarding gaming, tribe members say that isn't the case. Members of the tribe have come out in favor of gaming. This vote, however, was an amendment to the Lumbee Tribe’s constitution, and dissenters of the vote say the amendment would’ve stripped away power from the voters. The amendment, they say, would’ve moved votes concerning gaming from the hands of the voters into the hands of elected officials instead. 

John Lowry, Tribal Chairman and a Robeson County representative in the North Carolina General Assembly, issued a statement after the vote on June 23.

“A majority of the Lumbee people have spoken, and they have said no to progress and have decided to stay with the status quo or simply stay with the way things are. As a federally recognized Indian tribe, we had the opportunity, like so many of our brother and sister tribes, to exercise our sovereign rights to the fullest and generate billions of dollars to assist our tribal members and lift this entire region. This decision by the majority of Lumbee voters is historic and ensures we will not move forward with gaming.”

Lowry stated he will not pursue another vote on gaming during his term, which expires in 18 months.