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RALEIGH — Rep. Earl Jones doesn’t say he’s arguing for the return of video poker to North Carolina. After all, the Greensboro Democrat points out, a form of the game is spreading even after the state voted twice in five years to outlaw that type of gambling.

“As we speak, throughout this state, there is a proliferation of video (sweepstakes) machines that’s coming into North Carolina from various companies and manufacturers,” Jones said.

Jones argues that legislation he has sponsored could bring $500 million into state coffers while regulating and reining in an industry that is virtually uncontrolled.

That money is tempting for lawmakers, who are struggling to bridge what Democratic leaders describe as a $4 billion gap in the overdue budget. Lawmakers are stuck on how to raise an additional $1 billion in new taxes they say is needed.

For much of the spring, Jones has been a lonely voice advocating for video poker as a way to make up that fiscal ground. But Tuesday, he picked up the endorsements of the State Employees Association of North Carolina, an association that represents 55,000 people, and the N.C. Legislative Black Caucus, a group of 30 African American lawmakers.

Some legislators are rallying to Jones’ cause.

“People are gambling every day,” said Rep. Nelson Cole, a Reidsville Democrat. “Here’s an outfit that admits that’s what it is and they’re asking to be taxed and regulated.”

Video poker played a central role in the scandal that led to the conviction of former House Speaker Jim Black. Before video poker was first outlawed in 2005, sheriffs regularly complained of finding machines operating illegally.

After standalone video poker machines were outlawed, a new type of gambling entered the state: video sweepstakes machines that are connected to remote servers and typically require the purchase of phone or Internet time.

Legislators passed a law in 2008 that they thought would ban the new machines. But a Guilford County court ruling allowed video sweepstakes machines to keep operating. Two other judges have questioned the ban’s constitutionality.

“We just like to play,” said Willie Ruth Watson, 44, of Greensboro. She was playing at one of four machines perched on a counter at the Great Stops gas station on Greensboro’s East Market Street. “It’s something to do. That’s why children are in the street. They get bored at home. Adults get bored, too.”

But some lawmakers are determined to outlaw the machines. A measure that would take another swipe at outlawing video sweepstakes is in the bill-drafting office and has House and Senate supporters.

“It’s flouting our state laws and at the same time exploiting some of our most vulnerable citizens,” said Rep. Ray Rapp, a Mars Hill Democrat and leading anti-video poker voice in the House.

But Jones said people should make their own choices.

“I have a problem with this kind of paternalistic attitude that we know better how low-income people should spend their money,” Jones said.

Attorney General Roy Cooper said Monday he was hoping the legislature would move to ban the remaining forms of video poker.

“It’s clear that video poker hurts families, and it certainly is an issue that the sheriffs have told me is problematic in their counties,” Cooper said.

Guilford County Sheriff BJ Barnes said Monday that he did not see the issue as a big problem but needed to know whether the games were legal. Barnes has sent his department attorney and an officer that works on gambling issues to look at the machines.

“They came back and said they’re on that thin line,” Barnes said. He said legislators should clarify matters.

If enough House members backed Jones and decided to formally endorse some type of video poker, they could find resistance elsewhere.

Asked whether video poker would be part of a budget deal, Sen. David Hoyle replied, “No. I’m positive.” The Dallas Democrat is a lead finance negotiator. He said that future sessions of the General Assembly might look at the issue but that lawmakers needed to see how appellate courts ruled.

Senate leader Marc Basnight a Manteo Democrat, said he opposed video poker’s return. Gov. Bev Perdue said through a spokeswoman Tuesday that she does not support video poker and would not want to see it show up as part of the budget.

Staff writer Tricia L. Nadolny contributed to this report.

Contact Mark Binker at (919) 832-5549 or mark.binker@news-record.com