The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) recently issued a notice of violations of federal law and regulations to the Catawba Nation and Kings Mountain Sky Boat Partners, managers of its Two Kings Casino in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. The tribe and its associates face a fine of nearly $60,000 a day per violation and the casino also faces temporary closure.
The tribe and certain aspects of its casino management have been under investigation by the NIGC’s compliance division since July 2021. The casino opened July 1, 2021 in a temporary facility in Cleveland County and opened a sportsbook this fall. According to the notice of violation, the Catawba Nation allowed Sky Boat “to manage in part the expansion of the Catawba Two Kings Casino without an approved management contract,” a violation of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and NIGC regulations.
Also, the tribe and Sky Boat failed to submit a management contract within 60 days of its execution, as required by regulation.
NIGC Chairman E. Sequoyah Simermeyer 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.”
Tribal officials have not stated whether they will appeal the notice of violation.
