Catawba Nation Advances Two Kings Casino Project with Permanent Facility Phase

The Catawba Nation opened the first completed phase of its permanent casino facility at Two Kings Casino Resort in Kings Mountain, North Carolina on or around May 21, 2026, and this development replaces the temporary facility that operated since 2021 while introducing expanded gaming and amenity options to the site.

Construction crews completed work on the new gaming floor that now houses more than 1,300 slot machines along with electronic gaming tables, traditional table games, sports betting kiosks, dining options and additional amenities, and the transition allows the resort to move forward on the larger $1.25 billion project that includes plans for a full permanent casino, hotel and further facilities scheduled for completion by 2027.

Facility Features and Layout Details

Visitors to the new section encounter a gaming floor configured for both electronic and live play, where slot machines occupy prominent space while electronic tables support games that blend digital interfaces with traditional formats, and separate areas accommodate classic table games that require live dealers along with kiosks dedicated to sports betting. Dining venues sit adjacent to the gaming areas, which creates convenient access for guests who want meals or refreshments without leaving the main floor, and other amenities include rest zones and service stations that support extended visits.

The design integrates these elements into a single permanent structure that improves upon the temporary setup, and operators report that the expanded floor space permits higher capacity during peak hours while maintaining clear pathways between gaming zones and support services.

Project Timeline and Milestones

Work on the overall resort began years earlier, yet the temporary facility served as the initial operational base starting in 2021, and the May 2026 opening of this first permanent phase represents a scheduled step toward the complete buildout. Project documents outline subsequent phases that will add the hotel tower and remaining casino sections, with full operations targeted for 2027, and crews continue site work on those later elements while the new gaming floor welcomes patrons.

Coordinated scheduling allowed the transition from temporary to permanent space without extended closures, and tribal officials coordinated with state and local agencies to secure necessary approvals before the May date, which aligned with internal construction benchmarks set during earlier planning stages.

Regional Context and Tribal Gaming Framework

The Catawba Nation operates the resort under established tribal gaming compacts that govern activity in North Carolina, and this phase opening follows standard regulatory review processes conducted by state authorities. Observers note that similar tribal projects across the United States follow comparable development sequences where initial facilities give way to larger permanent structures over multi-year timelines, and data from the National Indian Gaming Commission tracks overall growth in tribal gaming revenue that supports such expansions.

Kings Mountain sits in a region that draws visitors from surrounding states, and the casino addition contributes to local economic activity through employment and supplier contracts, while the phased approach spreads construction impact across several years rather than concentrating it in a single period.

Operational Transition from Temporary Site

Staff transferred equipment and operations from the temporary building into the new permanent floor during the days leading up to the May 2026 opening, and management scheduled the move to minimize downtime for regular patrons. The temporary facility had provided continuous service since 2021, which established a customer base that now shifts to the expanded permanent space featuring upgraded finishes and increased machine counts.

Electronic systems installed in the new floor connect to central monitoring platforms required under gaming regulations, and these platforms track activity across slots, tables and sports betting terminals in real time, which supports compliance reporting to oversight bodies.

Future Phases and Completion Targets

Remaining work includes the hotel structure and additional casino wings that will bring the total investment to the projected $1.25 billion level, and project timelines place those elements on track for 2027 delivery. Construction crews maintain separate work zones to avoid interference with the operating permanent phase, and supply chains for hotel furnishings and final gaming equipment continue to advance according to updated schedules.

Once complete, the full resort will combine lodging, expanded gaming and supporting amenities under one coordinated operation, and tribal leadership has outlined how each phase builds revenue capacity that funds subsequent construction stages without external financing dependencies.

Conclusion

The May 2026 opening of the first permanent phase at Two Kings Casino Resort marks measurable progress on the Catawba Nation's multi-year development plan, and the addition of more than 1,300 slots plus supporting features provides an immediate increase in operational scale compared with the prior temporary arrangement. Subsequent phases remain scheduled through 2027, which will finalize the hotel and remaining facilities while preserving the regulatory compliance framework already in place for the current gaming floor.