RALEIGH, N.C. -- A state appeals court has ruled the Legislature used a correct procedure when it approved North Carolina's lottery in 2005.
On Tuesday, the Court of Appeals rejected the arguments of some taxpayers and others who sued the state over how the lottery was approved.
They argued the lottery bill generates revenue for the state, so the House and Senate each should have been forced to vote on it on two separate days.
Two of the three judges said the bill didn't meet the requirements of a revenue bill as defined by the state constitution. Judge Jim Wynn says the money raised by the lottery isn't tax revenue. He compared it to a highway toll.
One of the judges sided with the plaintiffs. That means the state Supreme Court likely will hear the case.
The lottery began in March 2006.
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