NC GOP lawmaker questioned on gambling machines

RALEIGH, NC (AP) — The North Carolina lawmaker who led a closed-door meeting on the gambling industry makes some money of his own from gambling machines.

The News & Observer of Raleigh reports that Sanford Rep. Mike Stone owns a grocery store where customers can play sweepstakes games on computer terminals.

There were also video poker-style terminals that the Republican says he removed Friday.

Stone led a closed-door meeting last week between Republican lawmakers and representatives of the gambling industry. He says the meeting was a way for lawmakers to gather information about contentious topics.

Jane Pinsky of the North Carolina Coalition for Lobbying and Government Reform says Stone’s business interests are troubling in light of the meeting.

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Information from: The News & Observer, http://www.newsobserver.com

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