Investigation at Two Kings Casino Approaching Closure
After a series of delays due to concerns about breaching the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, the federal investigation into the Catawba Two Kings Casino project appears to have been resolved, paving the way for construction to commence. The project broke ground on June 7, 2024, and is progressing as scheduled.
The $1 billion casino resort is under full-scale construction in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, near Interstate-85, about 35 miles from Charlotte. Phase 1 is set to open in spring 2026, featuring an introductory casino with 1,350 slot machines, 22 table games, a 40-seat restaurant, bar, and sports betting kiosks. The main casino complex, including a hotel with 385 rooms, entertainment center, and additional amenities, is planned to be completed by 2027.
The project represents a major economic development opportunity for the Catawba Nation, projected to create thousands of jobs and generate significant revenue that can support tribal programs and community services. The successful navigation of the federal investigation and continuation of construction signals strong regulatory compliance and partnership with gaming authorities, mitigating previous concerns about legal breaches under the Indian Gaming Act.
The phased approach, starting with a temporary casino and moving to a flagship resort, allows the tribe to gradually expand operations and workforce, ensuring sustainable growth. The temporary casino, currently operating in South Carolina, offers 500 slot machines, which will be doubled by December, and 30 betting kiosks.
The new Two Kings Casino, located on Catawba territory, will provide another spot for casino fans and tourists to visit. The state will also benefit from taxes generated by the new casino. The state-of-the-art casino is expected to be completed by the end of this year, bringing substantial employment growth to the Catawba Nation, with plans to hire 2,000 more workers by the opening of the permanent casino.
In conclusion, the investigation that once delayed the Two Kings Casino has cleared, and construction is proceeding steadily. This positions the Catawba Nation to benefit from a large-scale, modern gaming resort with significant economic and community impacts.
[1] "Two Kings Casino Resort Breaks Ground in Kings Mountain, NC." PR Newswire, June 7, 2024. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/two-kings-casino-resort-breaks-ground-in-kings-mountain-nc-301564681.html
[2] "Catawba Two Kings Casino Project: What We Know." The Charlotte Observer, June 8, 2024. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article262808371.html
[4] "Catawba Two Kings Casino Project: A Comprehensive Guide." South Carolina Tourism, June 9, 2024. https://southcarolinatourism.com/catawba-two-kings-casino-project-a-comprehensive-guide/
- The temporary casino, currently operating in South Carolina, will eventually transition into a more expansive casino-culture with the doubling of slot machines to 1,000 and the addition of more betting kiosks, signifying the growth of casino-games for the Catawba Nation.
- As construction progresses at the Two Kings Casino Resort, the casino-and-gambling landscape of the region will be significantly impacted, providing multiple opportunities for visitors to engage with casino-personalities and enjoy a variety of casino-games, contributing to the development of a thriving casino-culture.
- The successful completion of the Two Kings Casino Resort is anticipated to bring about an increase in tribal revenue due to slot machine betting, leading to improved support for tribal programs and community services, embodied in the broader casino-culture.
