Federal Government Accidentally Approves Native American Casino Deal
Published Date: 12/15/2025
Notice
Summary
The Catawba Nation and North Carolina updated their gaming agreement, removing a rule that forced the tribe to use one specific company to test their gaming machines. This change takes effect on December 15, 2025, giving the tribe more freedom and possibly saving money. The update affects how class III gaming is run on Catawba lands and is officially approved by law since the government didn’t object.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Tribe freed from single tester requirement
The amendment removes a rule that required the Catawba Nation to use a particular company to test gaming machines. This change affects how class III gaming is run on Catawba lands and lets the tribe choose other testing providers, effective December 15, 2025.
Amendment approved by operation of law
The Secretary of the Interior took no action on the amendment, so it is considered approved by operation of law under 25 U.S.C. 2710(d)(8)(C) and takes effect on December 15, 2025. The approval applies only to the extent the amendment is consistent with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA).
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