NC Candidate Omits Property Used For Video Gambling From Filing
A Republican heavily favored to win a North Carolina House seat next month failed to disclose on his economic interest statement that he owns a building being used to run illegal video gambling machines, according to an investigation by The Assembly.
Charles Taylor, a Sanford City Council member running for the N.C. House seat covering Lee and Moore counties, is listed on property records obtained by The Assembly as the owner of a Sanford building housing 22 video lottery machines, including luck-based slot-style games that do not require skill to win and are illegal under North Carolina law.
Disclosure Omits Four Properties
Taylor's disclosure lists only his personal residence and omits the Tramway Road property, bought for $60,000 in December 2025, along with three other properties he acquired the same month. State law requires candidates to disclose all real estate worth at least $10,000 that they or immediate family members own.
"I have invested locally in real estate for many years and continue to do so," Taylor told The Assembly in a statement.
"I bought some new properties last December 31 and didn't include them on my economic interest statement for 2025 since the closing happened on the final day of the year. This week, I'll amend my economic interest statement to include these new properties that I own."
Omission 'Clearly' Violates Ethics Law
Western Carolina University political scientist Chris Cooper said a lack of disclosure would "clearly" violate the state's ethics laws. The State Board of Elections referred a request for comment to the State Ethics Commission, which did not immediately respond.
North Carolina outlaws many forms of video-based gambling, but enforcement is inconsistent and operators have found loopholes, such as offering internet access in exchange for free gameplay. The Tramway Road location made no such effort, with customers simply depositing cash into the machines and cashing out with staff.
Enforcement Inconsistent Statewide
North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement, which investigates illegal video gaming operations and prioritizes locations that sell alcohol, said it has not charged Taylor with any criminal offense and cannot comment on machines its agents have not examined.
Under state law, a building leased for illegal gambling can be deemed a public nuisance, with liability turning on what an owner knew or should have known.
Taylor is heavily favored to defeat unaffiliated candidate April Montgomery in November after outgoing Republican Rep. John Sauls carried the district by nearly 29 points in 2024.
Elsewhere in the state, sheriffs have raided video gaming parlours and charged owners under the state's wagering statutes, underscoring the inconsistent enforcement Taylor's case highlights.
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