NC House Committee Proposes Sweeping Changes to Alcohol, Gambling Laws
House lawmakers unveil major changes allowing canned cocktails in stores, Sunday ABC sales, and happy hour pricing across North Carolina.
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA — North Carolina lawmakers introduced changes to the state’s alcohol and gambling regulations Tuesday, proposing to allow canned cocktails in grocery stores and expand Sunday liquor sales among other measures.
The North Carolina House Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee unveiled a substitute version of House Bill 921, the ABC & Gambling Omnibus Bill, during its Tuesday morning meeting. The new version contains numerous provisions that were not included in the original legislation.
Proposed Alcohol Regulation Changes
The bill would allow ABC stores to open on Sundays with approval from local governments, a departure from current restrictions. Bars and restaurants would gain permission to offer “happy hour” pricing promotions and serve customers two mixed drinks simultaneously.
Measures include tax credits for small breweries and microdistilleries, and authorization for malt beverage sales at concert venues. The legislation also addresses the sale of canned cocktails, which would become available in grocery stores if the bill passes.
“These products are lower in alcohol most of the time than the products that are currently on your grocery store shelf,” said Andy Ellen, president and general counsel of the NC Retail Merchants Association.
North Carolina’s Control State Status
North Carolina operates as one of 17 “control states” in the United States, where state government maintains a monopoly on certain alcoholic beverage categories. The state is among just 10 that operate their own liquor stores through the ABC system.
The proposed changes represent a relaxation of the state’s traditionally restrictive approach to alcohol regulation. Committee members heard both support and opposition to the measures during Tuesday’s proceedings.
Opposition Emerges
The legislation faces moral and fiscal objections from various stakeholders, according to committee discussions. Critics have raised concerns about the potential social and economic impacts of loosening alcohol availability and expanding gambling opportunities.
The substitute bill significantly expands the scope of the original House Bill 921, incorporating multiple regulatory changes that were not part of the initial proposal. The comprehensive nature of the legislation has drawn attention from industry groups, local government officials, and advocacy organizations.
Committee members will continue reviewing the legislation before determining whether to advance it for broader legislative consideration. The bill must navigate additional committee reviews and floor votes in both chambers before potentially becoming law.
