North Carolina’s Catawba Tribe has opened the doors to part of its new $1 billion Two Kings Casino in Kings Mountain, some 50 km from Charlotte.
The tribe and its partners say development is still underway and that what opened to the public on May 20 is only the “introductory phase” of the project.
Work continues on an expanded casino space and a 24-story, 385-room hotel, reported the Shelby Star.
The “introductory” casino replaces a complex made up of temporary structures that the tribe opened on a 64,750 square-meter plot of sovereign land in July 2021.
The temporary complex housed over 1,000 slot machines and over a dozen table games. However, dining options were limited at this facility, comprising an enclosed food truck and a cafe counter.
The new complex houses 1,350 slot machines, 36 electronic table games, and 22 traditional table games.
It also features a 68-seat restaurant and an 18-seat bar, as well as sports betting kiosks, a two-layer parking lot, and a player rewards desk.
North Carolina Casino: Full Opening Slated for Spring 2027
Construction on Two Kings began in June 2024. The tribe and the project’s developer, Delaware North, say they are targeting a full opening in spring next year.
After completion, the casino complex will cover an area of around 185,800 square meters. The casino space will include 4,300 slot machines and 100 table games.
The developers plan to build 11 restaurants, including a steakhouse, a cafe, and an Italian eatery.
They will also build a shopping center and 3,500 parking spaces.
The tribe says the project has created hundreds of construction jobs, and insists that Two Kings will eventually employ around 2,200 residents and Catawba Nation citizens.
Representatives claim the casino will have “a significant economic impact” on areas such as Kings Mountain and Cleveland County.
The opening comes just months after the Catawba Tribe launched an online casino, also named Two Kings, in association with the Nevada-based social gaming developer Ruby Seven Studios.
NC Sports Betting Issues Brewing?
Anti-gambling advocates say problem betting is on the rise in North Carolina. In addition to approving the new casino, the state also legalized sports betting in early 2024.
In February this year, the head of the Addiction Professionals of North Carolina said the state’s problem gambling helpline saw a 79% increase in calls just six months after the launch of sports betting in the Tar Heel State.
“[There has been] an increase in people reaching out for help, many of them first-time gamblers drawn in by sports betting,” the official said.
Ahead of its two-year legalization anniversary, North Carolina had already amassed over $12 billion in total handle.
