Thoughts on the deal
The deal represents a major milestone for Catawba Two Kings Casino, which opened at a temporary facility on July 1, 2021.
“Catawba Two Kings Casino's new partnership with the Carolina Panthers is a wonderful opportunity for us to share the incredible experience of attending a game at Bank of America Stadium with our top casino patrons while promoting the casino to the Panthers fanbase in Charlotte [North Carolina] and throughout the Carolinas," said Trent Troxel, vice president of the Catawba Nation Gaming Authority. “We are grateful to Tepper Sports & Entertainment and the Carolina Panthers for this partnership.
“While our temporary casino has continued to gain in popularity since opening in 2021, many more people will learn about it at Panthers home games. And the timing couldn't be better as significant construction has been completed on our permanent casino resort and the partnership will still be in place when it opens.”
On top of the promotional benefits associated with the partnership, the casino will be allowed to host 20 guests in a luxury suite and lower-level seating during home games.
Catawba Two Kings is one of just three casinos in North Carolina. Its $1 billion full-fledged facility will include 4,300 slot machines, 11 eateries, and a 24-story hotel.
“We're excited to welcome Catawba Two Kings Casino as a Proud Partner of the Carolina Panthers,” said Tepper Sports & Entertainment chief revenue officer Eric Sudol. “This partnership reflects a shared commitment to delivering unforgettable experiences to patrons and fans across the region and beyond.”
A promising future
Although Catawba’s permanent casino complex has not been completed, it is expected to open a portion of its campus in 2026. It anticipates a full grand opening in 2027.
To help tie its customers over, the temporary facility launched 12 live table games in June 2024. It currently has more than 1,110 gaming machines, many of which are slots, along with 14 live table games, electronic gaming tables, casual dining options, and an in-house retail sportsbook.
Once construction on the permanent location is complete, the casino is expected to create 2,000 permanent jobs. The process is being led by Catawba Nation Gaming Authority and various development entities.
The deal comes at an exciting time not just for the casino, but also for the Panthers. After a disappointing start to the 2024 season, the team won two of its final three games to finish the season 5-12.
Oddsmakers at FanDuel sportsbook believe the 2025 campaign will be even more fruitful for the Panthers, who were given -145 odds of winning more than 6.5 games.
