KINGS MOUNTAIN, N.C. — Beyond the slot machines at Catawba Two Kings Casino sit a new room with dozens of kiosks that can be used to place bets on sporting events.
The casino in Kings Mountain opened an onsite, 24-hour sportsbook on Tuesday so residents and visitors can bet on their favorite team ahead of the National Football League season.
“I’m doing a parlay on football,” Paul Stafford told Channel 9 as he placed a bet. “I’m gonna wager maybe $30 or $40 today with the hopes of winning a couple hundred over the weekend.”
The 17-acre temporary casino now has a branded sportsbook, agent and teller services with betting voucher redemption, and 30 betting kiosks in the sportsbook and throughout the facility.
The betting kiosks can be accessed at any time on an array of sports, including auto racing, baseball, basketball, boxing, football, golf, hockey, mixed martial arts, and soccer.
“Just select whatever you want, say you want the (Buffalo) Bills -2.5, put in whatever amount you want to place -- it’ll tell you exactly how much you could win,” a casino officials said as they walked through how it works.
You pay, then a ticket prints out with bettors hoping they’ll be the next big winner.
Tapping into sports gambling could bring millions of dollars to the Catawba Indian Reservation. Some lawmakers believe North Carolina could profit if mobile and online gambling was legalized statewide.
[ PREVIOUS COVERAGE: North Carolina sports betting legislation falters in House ]
“We’re very excited to bring a sportsbook and betting kiosks to the Catawba Two Kings Casino so our loyal patrons can enjoy sports wagering,” said Trent Troxel, vice president of the Catawba Nation Gaming Authority.
The casino opened in July 2021 with 500 gaming machines and expanded in December to 1,000 gaming machines, including electronic table games.
Stafford said he prefers gambling in person.
“I really don’t want to do it online, cause I think it is too convenient,” he said.
That convenience is cause for concern for some experts who say it could lead to a gambling addiction.
MORE PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
- New federal law affirms Catawba casino in North Carolina
- North Carolina sports betting legislation falters in House
- Report: Cleveland County casino under investigation for ties to SC politicians’ families
- Expanded version of Catawba Two Kings Casino to open this week
- You can now gamble at the new Catawba Two Kings Casino in Kings Mountain
- Catawba tribe to fast-track casino opening with ‘pre-launch’ facility this summer
“It’s a disease not a decision,” Amanda Winters, who oversees the services the state provides for problem gambling. She says if you’re wanting to bet on sports, it is good to know the signs before it becomes a problem.
“If you’re needing to spend more money to feel the same, if you’re needing to dedicate more time to feel the same,” Winters said.
Resources for anyone experience an issue with gambling can be found here.
The sportsbook and kiosks are powered by International Gaming Technology (IGT) under an agreement with the Catawba Nation Gaming Authority.
The casino previously made headlined for being under federal investigation for having links to the brother of Rep. James Clyburn and the husband of former Gov. Nikki Haley, who were given shares of Kings Mountain Equipment Supply LLC, according to documents.
The National Indian Gaming Commission confirmed that it’s investigating the situation.
(WATCH BELOW: Cleveland County casino under federal investigation)
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