North Carolina politicians received more than $500,000 in campaign contributions from pro-gambling and pro-marijuana stakeholders in the first half of 2023, according to a report newly compiled by Bob Hall, a campaign finance analyst in that state.

It’s not unusual that gambling lobbyists attempt to assert political influence, especially with sports betting and regulated casino gambling both being legal business enterprises in dozens of U.S. states. Lobbyists from other industries do the same, although other industries weren’t the subject of Hall’s report.

Hall himself seems strongly opposed to gambling expansion in the state, based on his comments in the report. He has been an activist and researcher involved for decades in North Carolina campaign finance and government ethics issues.