Advertising of Gambling Activities

[Matt]

Folks,

I have a question about whether or not it is legal for a North Carolina broadcaster to advertise lotteries, horse racing tracks, etc., that are done legally in the neighboring states of South Carolina or Virginia.

Lots of stations in the state advertise Harrah's Casino in Cherokee, but that is located IN North Carolina and is authorized by federal law.

With lotteries in SC and VA drawing lots of ticket buyers in those states, it looks like those running the games in those states would be buying advertising for them on Charlotte and Greensboro radio and TV, but they don't. I'm wondering if there is a law that precludes such advertising, or if there isn't, why it's not happening?

Further, with Virginia's Colonial Downs racing track opening a satellite betting facility in a county along its North Carolina border, why have no Greensboro market stations attempted to get them to advertise?

Can anyone point me to a specific statue of law that precludes this?

Thanks,
Matt Smith, Station Manager
WGSR "Star-39"
Reidsville, NC

 

[Whammy1978]

I am not sure about specific statues or anything, but it is illegal for any advertising for lotteries or any other form of "gambling" in North Carolina. That MIGHT change with the pending lottery going through the NC House, or Senate, one or the other. In previous bills concerning the Lottery, they were not going to be allowed to advertise it on Radio and Television, or even billboards. The only advertising would be at the Point of Purchase. They are working on that right now.

I am assuming that Harrah's can get away with advertising is because it is on an Indian Reservation. I am not exactly sure of the specifics on that, but that would be my guess. I am not exactly sure.

The only reason that WWWB in Charlotte gets away with running the SC Lottery Drawings and Powerball Drawings is because the station is licensed to Rock Hill, SC. That is the only reason that Charlotte gets lottery drawings. WSPA in Spartanburg airs the lottery drawings as well and they cover parts of the NC Mountians.

Also, I just thought of this, Superstation WGN airs Mega Millions drawings on their national feed. It has come in handy in my many trips to Georgia when I come back with tickets.<P ID="signature">______________

Moderator of Charlotte Board</P>

 

[rockthisworld]

> I am not sure about specific statues or anything, but it is
> illegal for any advertising for lotteries or any other form
> of "gambling" in North Carolina. That MIGHT change with the
> pending lottery going through the NC House, or Senate, one
> or the other. In previous bills concerning the Lottery,
> they were not going to be allowed to advertise it on Radio
> and Television, or even billboards. The only advertising
> would be at the Point of Purchase. They are working on that
> right now.
>
> I am assuming that Harrah's can get away with advertising is
> because it is on an Indian Reservation. I am not exactly
> sure of the specifics on that, but that would be my guess.
> I am not exactly sure.
>
> The only reason that WWWB in Charlotte gets away with
> running the SC Lottery Drawings and Powerball Drawings is
> because the station is licensed to Rock Hill, SC. That is
> the only reason that Charlotte gets lottery drawings. WSPA
> in Spartanburg airs the lottery drawings as well and they
> cover parts of the NC Mountians.
>
> Also, I just thought of this, Superstation WGN airs Mega
> Millions drawings on their national feed. It has come in
> handy in my many trips to Georgia when I come back with
> tickets.

This is nowhere near you but on the same coin... back in the day what was then WMYK/Moyock, NC (K94 Norfolk) switched COL's to Chesapeake, VA to get the technical allowance to run lottery ads. The tower sits literally a few yards from the state line but still on NC ground.<P ID="signature">______________

Eastern NC & Raleigh/Greensboro Board Moderator</P>

 

[eacalhoun]

> This is nowhere near you but on the same coin... back in the
> day what was then WMYK/Moyock, NC (K94 Norfolk) switched
> COL's to Chesapeake, VA to get the technical allowance to
> run lottery ads. The tower sits literally a few yards from
> the state line but still on NC ground.

And, this is FARTHER from the original subject, but similar to the last post:

WHAJ(104.5), Bluefield WV boasts being WV's most powerful(only 100-kilowatter in WV) yet there are no 100kw stations allowed in WV. Their "loophole" is that the tower sits just feet inside Virginia.

 

[thebroker]

Here's my thought...Why would it be illegal to advertise anything, so long as you aren't promoting breaking the law. It is perfectly legal for a NC resident to run across the border to another state and buy a lottery ticket.

I think the issue with Lottery advertising is that the actual Lotto statutes in various states are very specific about how the lottery can advertise and where. For example, when the lottery came up in the NC Legislature this year, the bill was specific in that the lottery couldn't be advertised at all inside NC. However, a loophole was there to allow for out-of-state advertising.

Hmm...now I'm curious...I'll ask my FCC lawyer Monday.

 

[TheBigWhiteWolf]

Actually, I remember a few years ago a guy was charged with possession of a lottery ticket. Apparently, it IS illegal in NC.

Guess they'll rewrite the books when the NC lottery starts up.

> Here's my thought...Why would it be illegal to advertise
> anything, so long as you aren't promoting breaking the law.
> It is perfectly legal for a NC resident to run across the
> border to another state and buy a lottery ticket. <P ID="signature">______________
"If things get any better, I might have to hire someone to help me enjoy it."</P>