The Catawba Nation tribe says it will build two more casinos in North Carolina at undisclosed locations, but remains locked in negotiations related to the projects.
Chief Brian Harris announced the tribe’s plans at a ceremony marking the inauguration of Two Kings, a new $1.2 billion casino in Kings Mountain, about 50km from Charlotte.
“We got two more casinos to build in this state, and hot dammit we’re going to build them,” Harris told The Charlotte Observer.
Despite talk of long-term downturns at major gambling hubs like the Las Vegas Strip, tribal land-based casino projects continue to gather pace across the United States. In southern Arizona, the Pascua Yaqui Tribe is set to open its third casino in November.
North Carolina Casinos: Two More Projects to Follow
Harris told the same newspaper he could not disclose the new casino’s locations while talks remain ongoing.
“It’s all about negotiations,” said Harris. “We’ve identified the locations. We’re in preliminary negotiations right now. And once those come to fruition, when we come to deal, we’ll make an announcement.”
Work at Two Kings remains ongoing, with the tribe expecting construction to wrap up by spring next year.
The tribe says the completed casino will house 100 table games and 4,300 slot machines. Two Kings will also feature a 24-floor hotel, as well as several bars and restaurants.
For now, the casino features 22 conventional betting tables and 1,350 slots, as well as an eatery and a bar.
The tribe said the casino and associated facilities will create 2,200 permanent jobs in Kings Mountain.
Legal Battles Continue
However, it has not all been smooth sailing for the Catawba tribe and its Two Kings project. The tribe had to navigate a legal battle with its former developer SkyBoat, operating a temporary casino at the building site until the matter was resolved.
Costs have also ballooned from an estimated $700 million in mid-2024.
And legal concerns have not yet blown over. Another former land partner, Kings Mountain Land Development Partners, attempted to sue the tribe in 2024, alleging trespass and property damage violations.
The dispute remains ongoing, with the North Carolina Court of Appeals set to decide if the tribe can claim sovereign immunity to some of the developer’s claims.
“The tribe deliberately violated KMLD’s rights to save time, save money, open its casino sooner, and boost its own profits,” said the developer’s lawyer at a hearing last month.
Meanwhile, in Michigan, the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa last month announced plans to embark on a “multimillion-dollar” upgrade project for all of its casinos in the state.
The renovations will include brand-new casino floors and non-gambling facilities such as a waterpark and a sports bar.
