The Catawba Indian Nations’ newly-named North Carolina casino gained more backing from both Republicans and Democrats in Congress this week.
U.S. House members from the Carolinas introduced a bill called the Catawba Indian Nation Lands Act.
The legislation reaffirms a U.S. Interior department decision in March to put the casino land in trust. The designation gives the Catawba Nation the right to develop a casino, the Observer previously reported.
The groundbreaking for the Catawba Indian Nation's $273 million casino and resort project in Kings Mountain is set for Wednesday, but it appears the tribe still needs to clear at least one major. Jul 22, 2020 CLEVELAND COUNTY, N.C. (WBTV) - Wednesday was a day long in the making for the Catawba Nation tribe of South Carolina as leaders broke ground on land in Kings Mountain to build a new casino resort. Local leaders, attorneys and Catawba Nation Chief William Harris all say the casino is happening - and it’s happening fast. North Carolina has two operating Indian casinos and an Indian bingo hall. All three are owned by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians of North Carolina. A new Indian casino resort at King's Mountain is under construction by the Catawba Indian Nation. The casino is named Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort and will open in the Spring 2021.
On Aug. 28, tribe officials announced the name of the casino as Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort.
Catawba Nation officials broke ground in July on the casino, which the Eastern Band of the Cherokees continues to contest in court. The Cherokees also operate casinos in Western North Carolina.
The Catawba Nation land is off Interstate 85 in Kings Mountain, Cleveland County, 35 miles from Charlotte.
“These are the lands of not just our ancestors, but also the hundreds of Catawba citizens that reside there today,” Catawba Nation Chief Bill Harris told Native Business Magazine in an article published Friday.
Members who introduced the bill were Reps. G.K. Butterfield, D-N.C.; Jim Clyburn, D-S.C.; William Timmons, R-S.C.; Dan Bishop, R-N.C.; Joe Cunningham, D-S.C.; Alma Adams, D-N.C.; David Price, D-N.C.; and Joe Wilson, R-S.C.
The Catawbas also began efforts this summer for a compact from the state of North Carolina that would permit Vegas-style gaming at the casino, the Observer reported at the time. The $273 million casino could open next year, according to the tribe.
‘Two Kings’ casino
The two kings in the casino’s name are King Hagler and the city of Kings Mountain, Harris said in a video on the Catawba Nation Facebook page. Harris called King Hagler, chief of the Catawbas in the mid-1700s, “the greatest leader of our nation.”
According to the tribe’s Aug. 28 Facebook post, “Two Kings also represents our tribe’s long history of working with those around us, which King Hagler made a central part of his leadership.”
Harris said “two kings” also is a gaming name: “A pair of kings is a great hand,” he said in the video.
Also in late August, the tribe unveiled a casino logo that features a silhouette of King Hagler against an image of Kings Mountain.
The tribe developed the logo with Delaware North, its gaming business partner.
The Cherokees, who have operated casinos since 1997, have called the Catawbas’ efforts “a modern-day land grab.”
The Catawbas say their right to the land stems from a 1993 agreement that gave them federal recognition. The agreement also gave them a “service area” in six N.C. counties, including Mecklenburg and Cleveland, the Observer previously reported.
Tribe members who live in those counties are eligible for the same federal benefits and services as those on the reservation. Their claim to the casino land is based on that.
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For years, the South Carolina-based Catawba Nation tribe has been pushing to open a Las Vegas-style casino in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. Many are pushing against these plans and claim the tribe does not have the right to open this venue in the state. There is progress being made, however, and it seems likely that NC’s Kings Mountain Casino could soon go under construction.
It’s exciting news for gambling fans in this area of the state. Today, we’ll talk about some of the new developments surrounding this property. We will also look at some of the other ways that the gambling industry in North Carolina is expanding.
Let’s get into it!
Looking Back at the Catawba Nation’s Move into North Carolina
North Carolina is known for being somewhat of an anti-gambling state. For decades, the lawmakers here pushed against allowing any traditional forms of gambling. A state lottery was eventually approved and Native American-run casinos began opening here shortly after.
The Catawba Nation is working to take advantage of this new leniency towards the gambling industry. For years, officials within the tribe have been pushing to open a new casino-resort in North Carolina. The tribe has faced serious push-back recently.
The Cherokee Tribe currently operates several popular casinos in North Carolina. This tribe is arguing that the Catawba Nation has no legal right to open a gambling property in this state. Some feel it’s a valid point, as the Catawba are based in South Carolina.
Some within the federal government are also pushing against the tribe’s plans. It’s a difficult situation that could take years to settle.
There is some progress being made. Governor Roy Cooper has been in negotiations with the tribe over the past few years. This week, these two groups reached an important new agreement. It could help to begin construction on this new property.
Here’s what you need to know about this proposed casino-resort.
New Harrah's Casino In Nc
Roy Cooper Approves Revenue Plan for NC’s Kings Mountain Casino
North Carolina has been slowly expanding its gambling industry over the past decade. This is proving to be a great decision for the state. The casinos and other various regulated gambling options here are bringing the state a large amount of revenue every month.
Governor Roy Cooper has been working hard to settle the dispute between the Catawba Nation and the Cherokees. As we just mentioned, he has been in intense negotiations with these tribes in recent weeks. Today, news broke that Cooper officially approved a new revenue plan for this casino-resort.
This is a huge move for the Catawba Nation. Approving this revenue plan could even allow for the tribe to begin construction on this venue. That is according to the tribe, yet some feel federal approval is still necessary.
Not everyone is excited about this news. Principal Chief Richard Sneed of the Cherokee Tribe released a statement about this situation to the media this week. He believes future legal battles will keep this property from ever being built.
“This compact changes nothing,” Sneed said. “We continue to believe the courts will affirm the illegality of this casino and when that happens, the Catawba agreement will be nothing more than a worthless piece of paper.”
Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort
The Catawba continue to discuss the economic benefits this property will bring. It could bring thousands of jobs to the area and millions of dollars in annual tax revenue for the state. This alone could push NC’s leaders to finally approve this property. It won’t be the only new gambling option coming to this state.
North Carolina’s Sportsbooks Are Expected to Launch Soon
It’s been fascinating to see North Carolina’s gambling industry expand recently. Over a year ago, lawmakers here approved a measure to legalize and regulate sports betting. To the disappointment of many NC residents, none of the state’s sports betting platforms have officially gone live.
Under the current regulations, North Carolina will only allow land-based sports betting. These wagers will need to be placed inside licensed venues. Many have been openly calling for the state to allow online sports betting, too. The other states that allow internet sports betting are earning a massive amount of revenue each month.
That may come in the future. In the meantime, only land-based sports betting is set to be allowed here. Many expect the first sportsbooks to officially launch in this state sometime in the next few months.
Two sportsbooks have already been constructed here. Both sit within tribal casinos in the state. It wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see NC’s Kings Mountain Casino open a sportsbook to the public in the future, too.
There is still no official word on when these sportsbooks will open. State officials are doing a last-minute review of the plans. We’ll be sure to offer more updates on this situation as soon as they come out.
Do you think the Catawba Nation should be allowed to open a casino in North Carolina? Let us know in the comments section below!