Catawba Two Kings Celebrates Milestone, Announces Two New Casinos

The Catawba Nation has its sights set on building two more North Carolina casinos once it finishes its ongoing project.

The first phase of the Catawba Two Kings Casino in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, was completed in May. A celebration that included more than 500 tribal members, construction workers, and partners was held on Wednesday to commemorate the feat.

While work on the final phase has not been completed, the tribal nation is already committed to bringing more gaming properties inside state lines.

Celebrating the Catawba’s milestone

The Catawba Two Kings Casino is a $1.3 billion project that is planning to open its permanent location in spring 2027. A temporary facility along Interstate 85, about 35 miles west of Charlotte, opened back in 2021.

Catawba Nation Chief Brian Harris did not say on Wednesday where the new casinos would be constructed. However, he insisted that the projects would come to fruition.

“We got two more casinos to build in this state, and hot dammit we’re going to build them,” he said.

The completed first phase of construction included about 500,000 square feet of space and two of three parking levels. Inside, another 250 slot machines were added, bringing the total to 1,350, and another eight live-dealer table games, increasing the total to 22. Customers can also find refreshments at a bar and restaurant. 

When completed, the casino and an attached hotel will occupy approximately 2.2 million square feet, spaced across six floors of casino space. The 24-story hotel will have 385 rooms, said Trent Troxel, an overseer of the casino’s progress.

Where will the next casinos go?

Troxel claimed that the casino currently employs 800 workers and will add another 1,500 when the top floor of the casino and the hotel opens.

The sixth-floor casino will include 11 bars and nine restaurants. Steak and Italian restaurants will include outdoor dining seating.

With all that’s known about the upcoming plans at the Two Kings Casino, there are no indications — much less reports — of where the other two casinos could be based. Harris said that conversations were ongoing, but did not offer specific plans, targets, or possible partners.

“It’s all about negotiations,” he said. “We’re in preliminary negotiations right now. When we come to a deal, we’ll make an announcement.”

The Catawba currently operates the Two Kings Casino. North Carolina’s gaming laws do not require public reporting of revenue and tax payments, although a 2023 estimate suggested that two Cherokee casinos generated annual net revenue of roughly $900 million.

The tribe is the only federally-recognized native group in South Carolina and is based on a reservation near Rock Hill. There are more than 3,300 enrolled members in the modern day.