FACT CHECKTramway Road
Q. Does Charles Taylor own property tied to gambling?
A. Yes, as reported by The Assembly, Charles Taylor purchased property at 2101 Tramway Road that has been converted into a gaming room that holds 22 video lottery machines that appear to violate state anti-gambling laws. According to The Assembly’s reporting:
“The room reeks of cigarette and cannabis smoke, while an employee described customers depositing cash into the machines and telling staff when they are ready to cash out.”
(Bryan Anderson, “State House Candidate Owns Undisclosed Property Being Used for Video Gambling,” The Assembly, 10/11/2026)
So far, Charles Taylor says he has no knowledge of any gambling occurring on his property, despite what was described in the Assembly story. Taylor has also not disclosed any action that he has taken to investigate the described activity.
Q. If Taylor just leased the property to others, that’s not a crime is it?
A. It depends. Under G.S. 19-1.2, a building used for gambling is a public nuisance, and under G.S. 19-1.1 a person who “knew or by the exercise of due diligence should have known” about the gambling is treated as having knowledge of it.
(North Carolina General Statutes § 19-1.2. Types of nuisances.; § 19-1.1. Definitions.)
North Carolina law (G.S. 14-306.1A) makes it a crime to “allow” illegal gambling machines to be operated, and instances of five or more is a felony.
(North Carolina General Statutes § 14-306.1A; § 14-309)
Q. Have other similar properties been raided by law enforcement?
A. Yes. Gambling halls like this are regularly the focus of law enforcement action, according to data cited by the Raleigh News & Observer. According to the N&O:
In 2023, local officials filed 23 felony charges for possession of five or more video gaming machines and 11 misdemeanor video electronic gaming charges, according to data from the North Carolina Judicial Branch. Last year, officials in Harnett County, Rockingham County and the City of High Point all busted local gaming operations, with the Harnett County Narcotics Division seizing around 130 computers, 20 stand-up machines, and $50,000 from a business about 50 miles south of Raleigh. In August, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office seized 16 gambling machines and even more computers during a gaming bust in Fayetteville.
(Brian Gordon, “Gambling halls get raided across NC,” News & Observer, 10/19/2025)
Q. Has law enforcement investigated?
A. The state has. N.C. Alcohol Law Enforcement, the state agency that enforces North Carolina’s gambling laws, has opened an investigation into 2101 Tramway Road.
(NC Tribune, 10/30/2026)
Q. Candidates have to disclose property they own to the State Ethics Commission. Wasn’t this property disclosed on Taylor’s statement of economic interest?
A. No. Taylor left the Tramway property, along with two houses he has owned in Greene County since 2013, and other privately held investments off his statement. The State Ethics Commission informed him in an email this violated the law. He has since amended his disclosures as required by the State Ethics Commission.
(Gordon Anderson, “State ethics director clarifies requirements,” The Rant NC, 10/14/2026)
Q. Was Taylor allowed to leave these properties off his economic interests statement because he bought them in December?
A. No. Under North Carolina General Statutes § 138A-24, a statement of economic interest must list all North Carolina real estate worth at least $10,000 owned by the filer or immediate family, and every privately held business, including LLCs. The statute specifically says the filing “shall be current as of the last day of December of the year preceding” the filing, so a Dec. 31 closing is inside the reporting window by the statute’s own terms.
(North Carolina General Statutes § 138A-24)
Q. Did Charles Taylor violate the law when he failed to list ownership of his properties?
A. Yes. In an email to Taylor, the executive director of the State Ethics Commission said that “SEI reporting does require disclosure of all individual property ownership interests you have.” Taylor was admonished: “now that the property interests have been clarified, I recommend that you file an amended SEI to individually reflect all property interests that you own.” Taylor indicated that he would file an amendment to remedy his illegal nondisclosure.
(Email from Jameson Marks, NC State Ethics Commission Executive Director, 10/14/2026)
Q. Does Charles Taylor have other ties to gaming?
A. Yes. Taylor’s primary campaign for North Carolina House District 51 received nearly $400,000 in backing from outside groups and PACs funded by pro-gambling interests (such as the American Conservative Fund), drawing criticism from opponents and watchdogs.
(NC Voices, “Race to Watch: Independent April Montgomery Faces Off Against Republican Charles Taylor in HD 51,” 10/9/2026; Melanie Porter, “NC Candidate Linked to Property Hosting Illegal Gambling Parlor,” Gambling News, 10/13/2026)
Q. Didn’t Taylor ask for a retraction of The Assembly article?
A. Charles Taylor requested a retraction of the article based on the reporting about the ethics disclosures, but he has since amended his statements to correct the errors The Assembly surfaced. He evidently agreed with their reporting, and called the failure to report "an omission on my part."