In North Carolina, representatives of the Catawba Nation, led by newly elected Chief Brian Harris, recently met with state lawmakers to “gain support against the commercial casino bill that is being proposed,” Harris said on an online post.
Currently, a conference committee of state representatives and senators is finalizing the 2023 Appropriations Act, which could include language authorizing commercial casinos and video lottery terminals.
The tribe operates the Catawba Two Kings Casino in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, about 32 miles from Charlotte.
Harris said the Catawba delegation visited several lawmaker’s offices and walked to the governor’s mansion to talk to Governor Roy Cooper. Harris added House Speaker Tim Moore recognized the Catawba delegation on the House floor.
Besides the Catawba Nation, commercial casino operators also oppose the proposed casino legislation. Lobbyists for commercial casino companies have been arguing against the draft bill’s current language giving one company a monopoly on the state’s commercial casino industry. Specifically, draft language requires one company to invest $1.5 billion to build three casinos; once they’re operating, that company would pay a tax of 22.5 percent on gross gaming revenue.
The draft bill also requires the developer to prove it has a minimum of 10 years of experience in the commercial gaming industry plus 10 years of experience developing and operating mixed-use, non-gaming real estate projects. Observers said those specifications seem designed to give the gaming contract to the Baltimore-based Cordish Companies, which is the only company lobbying for the bill.
Cordish is the focus of opposition in Rockingham County, one of the three included in the draft legislation to host a casino; the others are Anson and Nash and the Lumbee tribe may receive a license to develop a casino in northeastern North Carolina.
Recently, the Rockingham County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to rezone 192 acres along U.S. 220 near Madison, at the request of a holding company associated with Cordish. Before the vote, hundreds of residents, mostly against the rezoning change, filled six overflow rooms at the county government center and an audio of the meeting was broadcast outdoors. Many attendees said the acreage in question is next to Camp Carefree, a camp for children with disabilities. The location also is only 32 miles from Danville, Virginia, the site of Caesars Virginia.
Cordish has never publicly said a casino is planned at the location. But former U.S. Rep. Mark Walker, a Republican running for governor who attended the meeting, said the possibility of a casino in Rockingham County is “the worst kept secret in North Carolina,” according to WRAL.
He added, “The way this has been handled, the lack of transparency, has not spoken well. It has come across as a railroad job.”
Raleigh attorney Will Quick, representing the group seeking the rezoning, said plans include a “high-quality mixed-use development” that would provide additional entertainment options. He didn’t say “casino,” but he stated the project would “make a difference in your county in the future,” and create thousands of jobs. There are clearly a lot of folks who have very strong feelings. I also encourage you to consider the benefits. This is the first step in what will be a long partnership.”
Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page, a candidate for lieutenant governor, said a casino could lead to an increase in crime.
Per WRAL, he said, “I get it that there are economic benefits but safety and quality of life should not suffer as a result.” Page and others said they want the legislature to require a local referendum on a new casino. “Stay tuned. We’ll be going to Raleigh,” he said. And an attorney hired by project opponents said that group may file a lawsuit to block the project.
The legislature still needs to vote on the proposed state budget of $30 billion, which already is more than a month late. The Appropriations Act was supposed to be finalized by July 1, the date the fiscal year begins. Industry and legislative sources told PlayUSA there’s not much support in the House for the casino legislation as currently written.
Besides the Catawba Nation’s Two Kings venue, the only other casinos in North Carolina are located in Cherokee and Murphy, operated by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. State Senator Jim Perry, a member of the legislative conference committee, recently told PlayUSA that the tribe has not been lobbying against the casino legislation.
