Catawba Nation ready to welcome customers to bingo facility


The Catawba Nation converted this site in Rock Hill, South Carolina, into a bingo hall. Photo from Google Maps

The Catawba Nation opens its high-stakes bingo facility tomorrow.

Catawba Bingo offers up to 1,300 seats and jackpots up to $100,000. It's located in a former grocery store in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

The facility currently employs 13 tribal members, The State newspaper reported. Chief Bill Harris said it's possible more people could be hired.

The Catawba Indian Tribe of South Carolina Land Claims Settlement Act bars the tribe from following the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. But it allows the tribe to operate bingo facilities under state law.

The tribe previously operated a bingo hall for about nine years. It closed in 2006 amid allegations of mismanagement and tax problems, The State reported.

Separately, the tribe is pursuing gaming in North Carolina. A land-into-trust application for the $600 million casino has been submitted to the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

The tribe is working with a partner, Sky Boat LLC, on both projects. The bingo hall cost $365,000 in renovations, The State reported.


Artist's rendering of proposed Catawba Nation casino in North Carolina. Image from Catawba Nation Project Brief

Get the Story:
A look inside the new Catawba bingo hall in Rock Hill (The State 7/18)
Waiting on word of casino, Catawba Indian Nation plays bingo (WCNC 7/17)
Catawba Indian Nation Back in Gaming Business in Rock Hill (TWC News 7/17)
Catawba Bingo Hall to open in Rock Hill July 19 (WRHI 7/17)
Catawba bingo set to open this weekend (WBTV 7/17)
Catawba Indian Nation offers something different with bingo (WCNC 7/18)

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