Catawba Two Kings Casino

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Coordinates: 35°12′07″N 81°22′19″W / 35.20205°N 81.37201°W / 35.20205; -81.37201
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Catawba Two Kings Casino
Catawba Indian Nation
Operating license holderDelaware North
ArchitectSOSHNY
Coordinates35°12′07″N 81°22′19″W / 35.20205°N 81.37201°W / 35.20205; -81.37201
Websitetwokingscasino.com

Catawba Two Kings Casino is a

Catawba Indian Nation, in partnership with Delaware North, which has been serving as a consultant for the tribe, helping with the management and development of the project since 2019.[1]
In 2021, a temporary "pre-launch" casino opened on the property and continues to operate while construction of the permanent casino is ongoing. The temporary casino consists of red modular buildings and currently offers 1,000 slot machines and electronic table games, a retail sportsbook, and a restaurant. The facility also expanded to add 12 live table games including craps, roulette, mini baccarat, blackjack, Mississippi stud poker and three-card poker.

The casino project, originally announced in 2013, has encountered substantial legal challenges and delays. The Catawba tribe, based in

U.S. Department of the Interior reversed its previous decision and placed the 16-acre land into federal trust
for the tribe, thereby permitting the Catawba to conduct gaming on the site. In 2022, construction of the permanent casino was halted after the National Indian Gaming Commission determined that the development contract between the tribe and project partner SkyBoat Gaming violated federal law. The contract granted SkyBoat, a non-tribal corporation, management authority over the casino operations, which is prohibited under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. In 2024, the tribe reached a settlement with SkyBoat to part ways, clearing the path for them to resume development of the casino.[2]

The name of the casino pays tribute to the 18th century Catawba Chief King Hagler and to the city of Kings Mountain.[3]

History

Early gaming relations with North and South Carolina

The

U.S. Department of the Interior to take this land into federal trust for the tribe in order to build the casino resort on the property in the bordering state.[7] Former North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory and over 100 other state representatives disapproved of the plan and sent a letter to the Bureau of Indian Affairs strongly opposing the Catawba's application.[8] The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), who owned the only two casinos in North Carolina at the time, also came out in strong opposition against the project. The Catawba partnered with Sky Boat Gaming LLC, owned by politically connected South Carolina casino developer Wallace Cheves, to help the project get funding and approval.[9] While local officials approved of the casino, some community members and churches openly object to the project citing religious concerns and fearing a negative economic and societal impact to the area.[10] In 2018, after years of review, the Interior ultimately denied the trust land request. The Catawba subsequently filed a new discretionary application with the Interior as well as petitioned Congress, again requesting that it take the Kings Mountain site into trust and that the land be used for gaming. In 2019, South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham introduced U.S. Senate Bill 790, which would allow the Catawba to take the land into trust for gaming. The bill receives support from North Carolina Senators Richard Burr and Thom Tillis.[11] In March 2020, the Interior Department reversed its previous decision and puts the Kings Mountain land into trust for the Catawba.[12]

The temporary casino opened on July 1, 2021 with 500 slot machines.[13][14] The casino expanded in December 2021 to have a total of 954 slot machines while also adding 46 electronic table games which include Blackjack, Craps, and Roulette.[15]

In September 2022, the casino added 30 kiosks which allowed players to place sports bets.[16][17]

Federal investigation and political connections

In March 2022, the chief compliance officer of the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) alerted the Catawba Nation to issues with their contract and that business agreements with partners violate the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA).[18] It warned that if they aren’t brought into compliance, the tribe could face fines and temporary closure of the casino. The NIGC's role is to ensure that Indian gaming is conducted in compliance with federal law and that the tribe's revenues are used in a manner that is consistent with the best interests of the tribe and its members.

On July 31, 2022, The Wall Street Journal published a report revealing that individuals with political connections in North Carolina and South Carolina received shares in companies connected to the casino while it was seeking approval to open.[19] This brought concerns about potential conflicts of interest as it appeared politicians used their influence to benefit the casino and the companies they are connected to, rather than that of the public. Some of the political connections included Michael Haley, the husband of former governor of South Carolina and 2024 Republican Presidential candidate Nikki Haley as well as John Clyburn, the brother of South Carolina representative Jim Clyburn, both of whom were discovered to have ownership in the slot machine company, Kings Mountain Equipment Supply.[20]

See also

References

  1. ^ Marusak, Joe; Off, Gavin (June 2, 2024). "Catawba Indians to start construction of $700M NC casino". Charlotte Observer. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  2. ^ "Kings Mountain casino to add table games". Shelby Star. March 20, 2024. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  3. ^ George, Dustin (July 28, 2020). "Casino gets its official name". Shelby Star. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  4. ^ Collins, Jeffrey (February 8, 2013). "Catawbas keep pushing for casino; SC pushes back". The Post and Courier. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  5. ^ Elkins, Ken (January 7, 2014). "Catawbas first looked for York County land before launching NC casino idea". Charlotte Business Journal. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  6. ^ Tessnear, Matthew (January 17, 2014). "Catawba Indian Nation chief: County 'caught the eye of everybody' for resort". The Shelby Star. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  7. ^ Elkins, Ken (May 9, 2014). "Why the Catawbas are betting on N.C. casino project". Charlotte Business Journal. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  8. ^ Frank, John (October 31, 2013). "N.C. Senate leaders make legal case against Catawba casino". The News & Observer. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  9. ^ Rothacker, Rick (February 9, 2014). "Catawba casino developer has long ties to video poker industry". The State. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  10. ^ Orlando, Joyce (February 5, 2015). "Casino still in holding pattern". The Shelby Star. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  11. ^ Kays, Holly (May 22, 2019). "N.C. Senate opposes Catawba casino". Smokey Mountain News. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  12. ^ Dillon, A.P. (March 18, 2020). "Proposed Catawba Indian casino in King's Mountain moves forward". North State Journal. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  13. ^ O'Connor, Kristi (July 1, 2021). "Temporary Two Kings Casino opens in Kings Mountain". WBTV. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
  14. ^ Latrice Williams (July 2, 2021). "Catawba Two Kings Casino opens in Kings Mountain". The Shelby Star. Shelby, NC. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  15. ^ Marusak, Joe (December 16, 2021). "Catawbas double the number of games at their NC casino. Here's what's you should know". The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  16. ^ Lee, Ron (September 7, 2022). "Two Kings Casino introduces new sports betting kiosks". WBTV. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  17. ^ Bell, Alexis (September 7, 2022). "Catawba Two Kings Casino opens onsite sports betting". Spectrum News 1. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  18. ^ Guion, Payton (December 7, 2022). "Catawba Two Kings Casino violates US law, federal investigation finds". Charlotte Observer. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  19. ^ Maremont, Mark (July 31, 2022). "Slice of Profits From North Carolina Casino Goes to Relatives of Politicians". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  20. ^ Guion, Payton (December 15, 2022). "A timeline of Catawba Nation and Two Kings Casino". Charlotte Observer. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
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