Opposition for North Carolina Off-reservation Casino is Increasing Rapidly

Opposition against the proposed casino development in North Carolina continues to grow.

38 of the 50 of the state’s senate have added signatures to a letter to the US Senate Indian Affairs Committee expressing their disagreement about this issue.

According to the opposition, bill S.790 brings threats to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, whose gaming operations are located in another part of the state.

North Carolina is taking baby steps into the gambling world as it is, and this legislation is already causing serious disputes.

Legislation S 790

Catawba Indian Nation intends to build an off-reservation casino, which legislation S.790 s.

Regarding this legislation, 16 acres of land in Cleveland County, will be taken into federal trust for a new tribe’s reservation, for the sole purpose of operating a casino.

Senators, Lindsey Graham, of South Carolina and, Richard Burr and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, are sponsoring this agreement.

By projections of the bill ers, this project can bring 4,000 new jobs and an annual economic impact of $350 million to Cleveland County.

However, legislation S790 addresses the strict gambling laws of North Carolina, which prevents casinos from operating outside of Indian reservations.

Opposition Stand

The opposition claims that bill S 790 attempts to by requirements in the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act which states:

“that states the Department of the Interior must engage in extensive consultations with local, state, and tribal governments for economic, environmental and infrastructure impact assessments.”

Furthermore…

… the bill in question will revoke the right of the governor to concur with or oppose the Department of Interior’s recommendation regarding a new casino, for the first time in history!

Cherokee Indians Strongly Against New Bill

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians are the biggest opposers of the legislation that will allow another tribe to build a casino on their territory. If the bill es, they consider that it will be the president that will have harmful consequences.

“We have been proud to partner with North Carolina for decades. As it stands, this bill would create a harmful precedent, the first time Congress has expressly authorized an Indian tribe to acquire land into trust simply for owning and operating an off-reservation casino”…

… said Richard Sneed, principal chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

It seems that the biggest problem is the location of the future casino.

The problem lay in the location since…

…the proposed site would encroach upon Cherokee aboriginal territory.

“We encourage the Catawba Indian Nation to go through the same proper process in their home state of South Carolina,” adds Sneed.

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians owns two casinos in the Noth Carolina , both of which are operated under Caesars Entertainment’s brand.

Other Opponents to the Legislation

Beside Cherokee Indians Nation, resolutions against the bill were also adopted by the county governments in:

• Graham
• Haywood
• Swain
• Jackson
• Other Cherokee regions

“I encourage the US Senate to reject this unprecedented overreach,” commented North Carolina Senator, Jim Davis.

Ron Mau, Jackson County commissioner, added:

“It is concerning both North Carolina US Senators have lent their names to a bill that would allow a tribe recognized by South Carolina, to construct a casino in North Carolina, to the detriment of their constituents.”

Despite the opposition, Chief Bill Harris of the Catawba Indian Nation believes that collaboration between two tribes is possible and that it will be mutually beneficial.

By his words, the partnership between Catawba and Cherokee tribe will bring thousands of jobs and economic development to the county.

Chief Harris also emphasizes that Catawba had made efforts to get gaming on their current land in York County.

However…

… it was futile because of the consistent opposition due to strict state laws.

Source:

“Opposition for North Carolina off reservation casino continues to build“, casinobeats.com, March 21, 2019.