The Catawba Nation has announced plans to construct two additional casinos in North Carolina, although the specific locations remain undisclosed as negotiations are still ongoing. Chief Brian Harris shared these developments at a recent ceremony celebrating the opening of Two Kings, a $1.2 billion casino located in Kings Mountain, approximately 50 kilometers 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 concerns over long-term declines in major gambling destinations like Las Vegas, tribal casino projects continue to expand across the U.S. For example, the Pascua Yaqui Tribe is preparing to open its third casino in southern Arizona this November.
Harris explained that while locations for the new casinos have been identified, he must refrain from disclosing them until negotiations are finalized. He stated, "It’s all about negotiations. We’re in preliminary negotiations right now. And once those come to fruition, when we come to deal, we’ll make an announcement."
Construction on the Two Kings casino is still in progress, with completion expected by spring 2024. The finished venue will feature 100 table games and 4,300 slot machines, alongside a 24-floor hotel, and multiple bars and restaurants. Currently, Two Kings has 22 traditional betting tables and 1,350 slots, as well as a dining establishment and a bar. The Catawba Nation projects that the casino will create 2,200 permanent jobs in Kings Mountain.
However, the journey for the Catawba tribe has not been without complications. They faced a legal dispute with SkyBoat, their former developer, who was managing a temporary casino at the site until the issues were resolved. The initial cost estimates for the project grew from $700 million by mid-2024.
Legal troubles persist as Kings Mountain Land Development Partners, a former land partner, sued the tribe in 2024. They allege trespassing and property damage violations. This case is pending, with the North Carolina Court of Appeals set to rule on whether the tribe can invoke sovereign immunity regarding some claims made by the developer. One of the attorneys representing the developer argued in a recent hearing that, "The tribe deliberately violated KMLD’s rights to save time, save money, open its casino sooner, and boost its own profits."
In a related development, the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa recently unveiled plans for a multi-million dollar renovation of all its casinos in Michigan, aiming to update casino floors and add new non-gaming facilities, including a waterpark and sports bar.
