A South Carolina tribe received federal approval to build a casino in North Carolina.
The pact between the Catawba Indigenous Nation and North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, reached in January, was approved by the Department of Indigenous Affairs of the United States Department of the Interior, according to a press release published on the Catawba Nation’s website.
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The Class III gambling arrangement allows construction to begin at Kings Mountain, Cleveland County, about 35 miles west of Charlotte. The Catawbas plan to open an “introductory facility” in the fall with at least 1,300 slot machines.
Called “Two Kings Casino Resort on Kings Mountain”, it is an approximately $ 300 million, 60,000 square foot facility. Class III games include slot machines and table games and are subject to tribal, state and federal authorities.
Catawba chief Bill Harris was notified of the compact’s approval in a March 19 letter from Darryl LaCounte, director of the Bureau of Indigenous Affairs, according to the press release. It takes effect when the approval is published in the Federal Register.
“We have completed our review of the pact and concluded that it does not violate the Indian Gambling Regulatory Act (IGRA) and any provision of federal law that does not relate to jurisdiction over gambling on indigenous lands or to the United States United States’ trust obligations for Indians” , wrote LaCounte, according to the press release. “Therefore, according to my delegated authority and Section 11 of the IGRA, I approve the pact.”
Harris said the tribe will now focus on “developing the casino to bring economic benefits and thousands of jobs to North Carolina citizens”.
Cherokees are contesting the casino
The Catawbas casino is being contested by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, which owns two casinos in western North Carolina and launched sports betting at its Harrah’s Cherokee casinos last week, just in time for the March Madness.
Chief Chief Richard Sneed of the Oriental Band of the Cherokee Indians released a statement on Thursday, according to the Charlotte Observer, saying “this approval stems from the [Department of Interior’s] original illegal act to entrust land and force an unwanted casino in North Carolina. We believe that the facts are clear and that the court will invalidate this illegal casino and, together with it, this pact ”.
