North Carolina To Welcome New Casino in the Coming Months

Article by : Erik Gibbs Jun 4, 2024

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The Catawba Nation’s long-anticipated tribal casino project, located roughly 35 miles west of Charlotte, North Carolina, is finally nearing the construction phase after over a decade of delays. Since 2021, the Catawba Nation has operated a temporary casino in Kings Mountain, featuring around 1,000 slot machines, electronic table games and a retail sportsbook.

This temporary gaming facility was intended to function for only one or two years during the construction of the permanent resort. However, its operation was extended due to delays caused by a federal probe and various legal disputes.

The forthcoming permanent resort, named the Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort, is a $700 million project. A ceremonial groundbreaking is scheduled for Friday, June 7, marking a significant milestone in its development.

Chief Brian Harris has emphasized the project’s importance for the economic benefits it will bring to Catawba Nation members and Cleveland County residents. The casino stands as a testament to the tribe’s dedication to preserving their identity, supporting their community, and creating new opportunities.

The Catawba Nation regained federal recognition in 1993, and by 2013, the tribe announced its plan to establish a Class III casino west of Charlotte. Construction delays were primarily due to ownership control disputes.

North Carolina real estate developer Wallace Cheves played a crucial role in assisting the tribe to secure land and trust status with the US Department of the Interior. However, the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) expressed concerns over Cheves’ company, Sky Boat Gaming, LLC, holding too much equity in the tribal casino.

In December 2022, the NIGC issued a notice of violation, prompting the tribe to renegotiate its partnership with Sky Boat. By May, the Catawba Nation and Sky Boat Gaming had reached an agreement to part ways, although the details of this agreement were not disclosed.

In March, the tribe also agreed to purchase nearly 9.5 acres of land for $40 million from an entity primarily owned by Cheves. The Catawba Nation has partnered with Delaware North, a New York-based gaming and hospitality company, for the permanent casino.

The first phase of the Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort will feature a single-story casino with 1,350 slots and electronic gaming machines, 12 live-dealer table games, a sportsbook with 30 self-service betting kiosks, and a 40-seat restaurant. It is expected to open in early 2026 and employ 420 people.

Future development plans for the resort include an expansion to 4,300 slots, 100 tables, five restaurants, six bars, and a 400-room hotel. Once completed, the Two Kings Casino Resort will employ nearly 2,000 people, significantly boosting local employment and economic growth.

In the context of North Carolina gaming, the state has two federally recognized tribes: the Catawba Nation and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The Eastern Band owns Harrah’s Cherokee and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River. Recent attempts to introduce commercial casinos in North Carolina have failed, which benefits the tribal casinos by limiting competition.