On Wednesday morning, a large crowd gathered along Kings Mountain Boulevard to celebrate the launch of the first phase of the $1.25 billion Catawba Two Kings Casino in North Carolina.
Situated just off Interstate 85 at Exit 5, approximately 35 miles west of Charlotte, the casino opened its initial gaming facility at 10 a.m., as reported by The Charlotte Observer. Enthusiastic visitors began arriving well before the opening, eager to be among the first to explore the new establishment.
The inaugural phase boasts 1,350 slot machines, 36 electronic table games, and 22 traditional table games, alongside a 68-seat restaurant, an 18-seat bar, sports betting kiosks, and a player rewards desk.
This new venue replaces the temporary casino that had been operating on the same site since July 2021. Compared to its predecessor, the upgraded casino features an additional 250 slot machines and eight more table games. Additionally, two levels of parking were opened on the same day.
Trent Troxel, Vice President of the Catawba Nation Gaming Authority, indicated that the comprehensive resort project is on track for completion by spring 2027. Once finalized, the permanent casino resort will cover around 2 million square feet and will include a 24-story hotel with 385 rooms, 4,300 slot machines, and 100 table games.
The resort will also feature 11 dining options, including a steakhouse and an Italian restaurant, as well as a marketplace, café, and grab-and-go outlet. Other amenities will comprise a players' lounge, 11 bars, and a total of 2,700 underground parking spaces along with 800 spaces at ground level.
Construction on the permanent resort commenced after a groundbreaking ceremony in June 2024. In October 2025, crews celebrated a significant milestone by placing the final structural beam atop the casino during a topping-off ceremony.
Troxel noted that this development is contributing to the revitalization of job opportunities in the area, which has seen a decline in the textile industry over the past decades.
According to tribal officials, the project has already created hundreds of construction jobs and is anticipated to employ around 2,200 local residents and members of the Catawba Nation upon its completion.