Catawba Nation Marks Milestone with Two Kings Casino Phase One Opening in Kings Mountain

On May 21, 2026, the Catawba Nation opened the first major phase of its Two Kings Casino Resort in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, near Charlotte and Interstate 85, and this development replaced a temporary gaming facility that had operated since 2021 while construction continues on the larger project valued between one and one point two five billion dollars.

The introductory casino features over one thousand three hundred slot machines along with electronic gaming tables, traditional table games, sports betting kiosks, a restaurant, and bar areas, and data from industry tracking shows these elements form the core of the initial operation as the permanent casino floor moves toward a spring 2027 target.

Background on the Project Timeline

The Catawba Nation began with a temporary facility in 2021 that served as an early entry point into the regional market, and observers note this approach allowed the tribe to establish operations while planning the full resort that now advances through phased construction, whereas the May 2026 opening represents the shift from interim setup to a more substantial venue.

Construction on the broader resort continues with the permanent casino floor expected in spring 2027, and full completion including a twenty four story hotel targeted for 2027, while the project carries projections to employ between two thousand and two thousand two hundred people according to reports from World Casino Directory.

Details of the New Gaming Facility

The new phase includes more than one thousand three hundred slot machines combined with electronic gaming tables and traditional table games, and it also incorporates sports betting kiosks plus dining and bar areas that provide on site amenities for visitors, yet the layout emphasizes a transitional space ahead of the larger permanent floor.

Those who've studied similar tribal casino expansions know the mix of gaming options and support services creates immediate operational capacity, and figures from the same development updates indicate this setup bridges the gap until the full resort reaches completion later in the decade.

Ongoing Construction and Employment Projections

Work proceeds on the remaining elements of the one to one point two five billion dollar resort, and the timeline calls for the permanent casino floor by spring 2027 followed by the twenty four story hotel as part of full completion in 2027, while employment estimates range from two thousand to two thousand two hundred positions once operations scale up.

Researchers have observed that phased openings like this one allow tribes to generate revenue streams during construction, and evidence from the Catawba project shows the initial phase supports that model as the larger structures advance toward their scheduled finish dates.

Regional Context and Project Scope

Kings Mountain sits near Charlotte and Interstate 85, which places the resort in a corridor with established travel patterns, and the Catawba Nation selected this location to serve both local residents and visitors traveling through the area, whereas the temporary facility since 2021 provided an initial foothold before the May 2026 expansion.

Additional updates from industry sources highlight how the project integrates gaming with hospitality elements that will expand once the hotel and permanent floor come online, and data indicates the overall investment supports long term infrastructure growth tied to the tribe's development plans.

Conclusion

The May 21, 2026, opening of the first major phase at Two Kings Casino Resort stands as a key step in the Catawba Nation's expansion, and it connects the earlier temporary operations with the larger resort still under construction through 2027, while employment projections and facility details remain central to the project's documented progress.