OK, so now that Catawbas claim that they don’t need state approval to open a casino in Kings Mountain. From the UPoR:
But attorneys for the Catawba Nation say a settlement with the federal government and a 26-year-old Supreme Court decision would allow the tribe to offer a wide range of games, if U.S. officials give the necessary approvals. The tribe says it would like to reach a compact with North Carolina to share gaming revenue, but that it’s not a requirement.
“Whether they have a compact or not, they will go forward with gaming,” said Gregory Smith, a Washington lawyer representing the tribe.
This is another obvious negotiation ploy. If it really was obvious that the Catawbas could build a casino without the state’s approval, why would it bother to offer to cut the state in? Wouldn’t that just be giving money away?
Bonus thought: And if state and local consent really didn’t matter, why would the Catawbas settle for Kings Mountain? Wouldn’t the tribe make a ton more money by putting a casino in Charlotte?
