Casino files appeal following threat of fines, closure
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The parking lot of the Catawba Two Kings Casino is packed on a Friday afternoon as patrons play one of the thousand slot machines or one of the electronic table games.
The business' Facebook page details recent wins. One woman took home a $32,000 prize. A man walked away with an $11,000 jackpot.
It appears to be business as usual following a notice of violation issued against the casino and Sky Boat Partners in November that threatened fines and a temporary closure.
The National Indian Gaming Commission issued a notice of violation against the Catawba Two Kings Casino in Kings Mountain, which detailed alleged infractions by the Catawba Indian Nation and Sky Boat Partners.
According to the 30-page document, the Catawba allowed Sky Boat to manage the expansion of the casino without an approved management contract. The violation was issued after compliance had spent over a year working with the parties via training, site visits, letters and phone calls providing technical advice and assistance on management issues, according to the notice of violation.
The casino faced fines of up to $57,527 per violation per day and a potential temporary closure, according to the document, and they had 30 days to appeal the violation.
According to Tylee Anderson with the Catawba Nation, an appeal has been filed.
“The Catawba Nation has filed an appeal of the notice of violation issued by the National Indian Gaming Commission as we work to resolve issues regarding lease agreements with Sky Boat Partners for our casino resort project,” Anderson said. “The issues don’t involve current casino operations.”
Anderson went on to say they are in the process of implementing changes and are working closely with the National Indian Gaming Commission to be in compliance.
The question of whether any fines have been paid by the casino was not answered.
The National Indian Gaming Commission is a federal regulatory agency and according to its website, notices of violations are issued few and far between.
Since 2012, only four violations have been issued across the nation, including the one against the Kings Mountain casino.
“Within 10 days of filing a notice of appeal, the party must file an appeal brief, stating with particularity the relief desired and the grounds in support, including supporting documentation and evidence in the form of affidavits,” the notice of violation states. “If a party prefers a closed hearing, the brief should include such a request and the reasons therefore.”
Oral testimony can be presented at the hearing, or the party can elect to have written submissions only.
The Two Kings Casino celebrated two years of operations last summer, although they are still housed in a temporary facility while plans for a permanent structure appear to be stalled.
