The Catawba Indian Nation has opened the first phase of its new $1 billion Two Kings Casino Resort in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, around 50 kilometres west of Charlotte. The launch marks a major step in one of the largest casino developments in the state, with full completion scheduled for spring 2027.
The casino welcomed visitors on 20 May, replacing the temporary gaming complex that had operated on the tribe’s sovereign land since July 2021. Tribal leaders and development partner Delaware North said construction will continue over the next year as additional facilities are added to the property.
New casino replaces temporary facility
The earlier temporary venue included more than 1,000 slot machines and a small selection of table games. Dining options at the site were limited to a food truck enclosure and a café counter.
The newly opened casino now offers a larger gaming floor with 1,350 slot machines, 36 electronic table games, and 22 traditional table games. The property also includes a 68-seat restaurant, an 18-seat bar, sports betting kiosks, a player rewards desk, and a two-level parking facility.
Developers described the opening as the “introductory phase” of the wider resort project. Work is continuing on a 24-storey hotel tower that will include 385 guest rooms.
Full resort expected in 2027
Construction on the permanent Two Kings Casino Resort began in June 2024. Once completed, the property is expected to cover around 185,800 square metres.
Plans for the final development include 4,300 slot machines and 100 table games, making it one of the largest gaming destinations in the region. Developers also plan to add 11 restaurants, including a steakhouse, café, and Italian restaurant.
The resort expansion will also feature a shopping area and approximately 3,500 parking spaces.
According to the tribe, the project has already created hundreds of construction jobs. Officials estimate that the resort will eventually employ around 2,200 people, including residents from nearby communities and members of the Catawba Nation.
Representatives from the tribe said the casino is expected to bring economic activity to Kings Mountain and surrounding Cleveland County through employment, tourism, and hospitality spending.
For players who prefer gaming from home rather than visiting a physical venue, there are also a growing number of the best online casinos available, offering a wide variety of slots and table games that rival the experience of land-based resorts like Two Kings.
Online expansion adds to Two Kings brand
The casino opening follows another recent expansion for the Two Kings brand. Earlier this year, the Catawba Tribe launched an online casino platform in partnership with Ruby Seven Studios.
The move reflects broader growth in gaming activity across North Carolina, where sports betting was legalised in early 2024.
Gambling concerns continue in North Carolina
At the same time, gambling expansion in the state has raised concerns among addiction support groups and anti-gambling advocates.
In February, the head of the Addiction Professionals of North Carolina said calls to the state’s gambling helpline had increased by 79 per cent within six months of the launch of legal sports betting.
The organisation reported that many callers were first-time gamblers who had become involved through sports wagering platforms.
North Carolina’s sports betting market has also grown rapidly since legalisation. Ahead of the second anniversary of the law’s approval, the state had already recorded more than $12 billion in total betting handle.
The opening of Two Kings Casino adds another major venue to North Carolina’s expanding gaming sector as the state continues to balance economic development with responsible gambling concerns.
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