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Read Full BioTwo tribes in North Carolina are making plans to develop casinos in the state. The recently federally recognized Lumbee Tribe has purchased land along Interstate 95 in Robeson County, where it’s considering building the state’s first casino east of Charlotte. Additionally, the Catawba Nation is developing a $1 billion resort due to open as early as next month.
The Lumbee Tribe bought about 240 acres of land just south of Lumberton for around $6 million at the same time as submitting its application for federal recognition.
The location may be used as the site of a new casino. Lumbee Chairman John Lowery, who’s also a state legislator, says tribal members will vote on whether to build a resort on the land.
In a video message last week, Lowery stated, “What form of economic development we take early on in this new era, whether gaming is part of our future or not, will be determined by the will of the Lumbee people.”
He said there are ambitious plans to develop the land, going far beyond slot machines. The development could include “a shopping outlet and additional amenities, such as a golf course, a Top Golf-style facility, a water park or similar attractions.”
If the tribe’s members reject the proposal to open a casino, then the property will become a business and industrial park instead.
Lowery wants the Lumbee Tribe to take inspiration from North Carolina’s other tribes, which have made economic progress through casino projects.
He added, “I’ve seen the economic powerhouse that the Eastern Band (of Cherokee Indians) has become in the western part of the state, and the transformative growth of our brothers and sisters, the Catawba, over the last few years in the Metrolina part of our state.”
Catawba Tribe Launches Social Casino Ahead of New Resort
The Catawba Tribe is also expanding its gaming presence. The tribe launched its own free-to-play social casino last week, in collaboration with Delaware North and its social casino company Ruby Seven Studios.
Delaware North is also the lead consultant and developer on the Catawba Nation’s $1 billion casino resort project. In a press release, Trent Troxel, vice president of the Catawba Nation Gaming Authority, said, “Catawba Two Kings Slots offers players the opportunity for hours of entertainment while staying engaged with the popular casino when they are off property.”
Troxel added that the tribe plans to move from its temporary casino in Kings Mountain to the $1 billion development this spring. Catawba Nation Chief Brian Harris said the tribe has made all the preparations to also apply for federal recognition.
In a Facebook post earlier this month, he stated, “Believe it or not, we hadn’t applied to be state-recognized in North Carolina. So, in 2026, we’ve got all of the paperwork turned in. We’ve done our due diligence. We gave them everything they want.”
The tribe already has federal recognition in South Carolina, but requires the same approval in North Carolina to open its casino resort.
The permanent Two Kings Casino Resort will open in February or March, featuring approximately 1,350 slot machines, 22 live-dealer table games, and sports betting kiosks.
This will later expand to 4,300 slots, 100 tables, and a sportsbook, in addition to a 24-story, 385-room hotel, 11 restaurants, and an underground parking garage. The full resort is scheduled to be finished next year.
South Carolina Debates Legalizing Casinos
Lawmakers in South Carolina have also said they are ready to debate the prospect of opening the state’s first casino. Developer Wallace Cheves has drawn up plans to build a $1 billion casino at the abandoned Santee Outlet Mall site in Orangeburg County.
The Catawba Nation, however, has said it will oppose any plans for a commercial development. Chief Harris said the tribe is preparing its own bill, which he said “proposes to give us, as the federal government promised us back in the day, a leg up on any other casino coming in the state of South Carolina.”
He went on to threaten legal action if lawmakers instead push forward with plans to legalize commercial casinos. He said if they do not assist the tribe ahead of a commercial casino, then the tribe will “file federal lawsuits, and we’ll keep gaming out of South Carolina till the cows come home.”
Gov. Henry McMaster has also been a vocal critic of legalizing casinos, stating, “Gambling is bad for our culture. It’s not part of our heritage, and there are better ways to make money, to give jobs, to generate tax money, to generate a thriving economy, than gambling.”
Rep. Bruce Bannister said lawmakers could support legalization to fund various state projects. He stated, “The vast majority of members are sort of neutral on whether they care for a casino or don’t care for a casino, but they all have issues that they really like to see a recurring source of revenue put towards.”
