The National Indian Gaming Commission issued a notice of violation to the Catawba Indian Nation and Two Kings Casino developer Sky Boat on Wednesday.
According to the NIGC, the Catawba Indian Nation allowed Sky Boat to manage the expansion of Two Kings Casino — located in Kings Mountain, North Carolina — without an approved management contract. The Catawba Indian Nation and Sky Boat also failed to submit a management contract within 60 days of its execution, which NIGC regulations require.
“Based on an exhaustive investigation and analysis of the circumstances, we issued a Notice of Violation to both enforce regulatory compliance and ensure the Nation is the primary beneficiary of its gaming revenue,” NIGC Chairman E. Sequoyah Simermeyer said in a press release. “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.”
Next steps for Two Kings Casino
The Catawba Indian Nation and Sky Boat could be subject to civil penalties of up to $57,527 per day for each violation. The NIGC’s press release noted there’s a possibility the casino could be temporarily shut down as well.
The commission said Two Kings could have to pay a fine of more than $57,000 per day if they don’t comply, and could even get temporarily shut down. https://t.co/8yLAhREkce
— WSOCTV (@wsoctv) December 8, 2022
Two Kings Casino, which opened in July 2021, is one of two casinos in North Carolina to offer retail sports betting. Statewide mobile sports betting is not yet legal, meaning North Carolinians would have their retail sports betting options reduced should the casino temporarily close.
It’s unclear what may happen to outstanding futures bets placed at the location, should it temporarily close. It’s likely that at least some sports bettors put down futures bets on the Duke or North Carolina men’s basketball teams ahead of the start of the college basketball season, among other possible futures wagers.
The parties, Two Kings Casino and Sky Boat, have 30 days from being served the notice of violation to appeal the ruling. The Catawba Indian Nation and Two Kings Casino did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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