US tribal casino hit with closure threat

A tribal casino could be closed down by the authorities for violations of federal laws in North Carolina, US.

The Catawba Nation and a company it hired to manage its venue, has been cited by the National Indian Gaming Commission. The tribe operates the Two Kings Casino and is alleged to have violated federal law and other regulations.

The nation and its partners could face a fine of almost $60,000 per day for each violation and the venue may be closed.

E. Sequoyah Simermeyer, chairman of the NIGC, said: “We do not take this enforcement action lightly, but do so to preserve the integrity of the industry and protect the valuable tool Indian Gaming represents for many tribes as codified in the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.”

The NIGC’s compliance division has been investigating the Catawba and some of its arrangements to operate the casino since July last year when it opened in temporary facilities. It opened a sportsbook a few months ago.

The NIGC has now issued a notice of violation to the nation and to Kings Mountain Sky Boat Partners and its principals. The notice said that the tribe permitted Sky Boat to “manage in part the expansion of the Catawba Two Kings Casino without an approved management contract.”