Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort in NC: Opening Timeline and Details

The Catawba Nation continues construction of its casino resort in North Carolina

Two Kings Casino Resort is being built in Kings Mountain, NC
The permanent casino is slated to open in the spring of 2027

The permanent Two Kings Casino Resort continues construction roughly 35 miles west of Charlotte, NC. This week, officials revealed that this massive development is expected to cost between $700 million and $1 billion and detailed plans regarding its opening.

The Catawba Nation, alongside Delaware North, has announced that the Two Kings Casino Resort is on track to open in the spring of 2027. The initial phase, referred to as an “introductory casino,” is slated to commence operations next March.

The inaugural gaming space will feature approximately 1,350 slot machines, 22 live-dealer table games, and sports betting kiosks. Following the launch of this introductory space, the tribe will close its temporary casino. When the full-scale casino opens in the following year, it will expand to boast over 4,300 slots, 100 tables, and a dedicated sportsbook.

“Currently, we have about 490 employees. We plan to hire an additional 2,000 staff members between now and 2027,” said Trent Troxel, vice president of the Catawba Nation Gaming Authority, during a recent media tour of the construction site.

Alongside the gaming space, the resort’s first phase will also include a restaurant and bar, as well as a Lucky North Rewards desk.

Project Finally Coming to Light

The Catawba Nation has pursued economic independence for years by establishing a Class III gaming resort. After regaining federal recognition in 1993 and securing a $50 million Indian lands claim settlement from the United States and South Carolina governments, the Catawba Nation aimed to enter into a Class III gaming compact for many years without success.

The Catawba’s sovereign lands stretch across the Carolinas. Since South Carolina maintains a prohibition on casino gaming, including tribal gaming, the tribe petitioned the North Carolina government for privileges to operate slots and table games.

North Carolina has allowed the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to operate casinos on its sovereign lands for decades. The state hesitated to consider the Catawba’s gaming requests until 2021 when Governor Roy Cooper agreed to enter into a revenue-sharing arrangement, allowing the tribe to operate Vegas-style slots and tables.

The Catawba initially partnered with Carolina businessman Wallace Cheves for its Kings Mountain venture. However, after the National Indian Gaming Commission raised concerns regarding Cheves’ previous complications with operating illegal gaming, he exited the project.

The tribe subsequently secured a new financier and partner in Delaware North, a New York-based gaming and hospitality conglomerate. This corporation will manage the resort once it is completed.

Plans for what will be the third permanent tribal casino resort in North Carolina, following Harrah’s Cherokee and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River, include a 24-story hotel with 385 rooms. The Two Kings Casino Resort will also feature 11 dining options, 2,700-space underground parking, and an additional 800 spaces at ground level.

Catawba Backstory

The Catawba Nation asserts its historical role alongside the colonists during the Revolutionary War. The tribe’s name, ‘Catawba’, means ‘people of the river,’ referring to the Catawba River.

Historically, the Catawba were one among several tribes on the East Coast who allied with colonists for protection against rival groups. They faced devastation during smallpox epidemics, which resulted in many tribal members merging with the Cherokee or Choctaw. In 1959, the US government terminated the tribe as a sovereign entity. The reestablishment took place in 1973, initiating a lengthy process to regain federal recognition.

Key Facts About the Two Kings Casino Resort

Location: Kings Mountain, North Carolina, approximately 35 miles from Charlotte.
Investment: Estimated between $700 million to $1 billion.
Opening Timeline: Introduction phase expected in March 2026; full-scale opening targeted for spring 2027.
Casino Features: 4,300+ slots, 100 live dealer tables, and dedicated sportsbook.
Employment Opportunities: Aiming to hire 2,000 additional employees by 2027.
Site Development: 24-story, 385-room hotel, 11 restaurants/bars, extensive parking facilities.

In summary, the Two Kings Casino Resort stands as a monumental project for the Catawba Nation, promising to revolutionise the gaming landscape in North Carolina by offering a vast range of gaming options and amenities. With its projected opening in 2027, this casino is expected to drive significant economic growth and job creation within the region.