Ministers Say Casino Would Prey On The Poor

Audrina Bigos,

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KINGS MOUNTAIN, NC – There were prayers and petitions in Kings Mountain Tuesday night as faith leaders rallied to block a proposed casino in Cleveland County.Β 

“All of the money in the world that would result in bringing a casino to this area is not worth this community selling its soul to have it,” said Rev. Mark Creech, executive director of the Christian Action League.
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Ministers delivered a petition to the Kings Mountain City Council signed by 75 local ministers asking council members to remove their names from a letter to the federal government in support of the Catawba Indian Nation’s proposed 220,000 square foot resort and casino off I-85 in Kings Mountain.
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Developers say the casino would bring an estimated $349 million dollars into the area each year and create more than 4,000 jobs.
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“They can hire more people at the casino, hire security guards. Just help with more jobs. There’s barely any jobs around here and I’m struggling now,” said Chris Chambers, a Kings Mountain resident.
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Creech says the promise for more money and jobs isn’t worth promoting gambling addictions.
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“If you decide to go in there, that’s your choice. Nobody is making you go in there. You go ’cause you want to go,” said Anita Chambers.
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Developers point to the impact of Harrah’s Cherokee Casino.Β With 3.6 million visitors a year, it’s the largest private attraction in North Carolina.
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Visitors spent about $386 million dollars at Harrah’s in 2010 and 70 percent of visitors were from out-of-state.
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“Maybe help around here with the economy and bring people from other states and other places into this community,” said Chambers.
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The latest economic impact study reports Harrah’s pays $74.8 million dollars in wages and salaries to it’s approximate 1,674 employees.
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The casino’s staff makes up five percent of the work force in Swain and Jackson Counties.
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On Tuesday night, the ministers said the casino is only benefiting the tribe.
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“Take a trip to Cherokee, North Carolina and look around and see much good Harrah’s has done for the community at large.”
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The Catawba Indian Nation is waiting on the federal government to approve or deny the tribe’s application to put the land into federal trust.
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The tribe tells WCCB Charlotte it has not been given a time line on that decision.