Catawba Nation Marks Major Milestone with Phase One Opening of Two Kings Casino Resort
The Catawba Nation celebrated the launch of the first phase of its Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort on May 20, 2026, in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, where thousands of visitors arrived to experience the new gaming and entertainment options that replaced a temporary facility operating since 2021, and this introductory casino forms part of a larger $1 billion development that continues to expand through 2027.
Facility Features and Initial Operations
Visitors encountered 1,350 slot machines alongside 22 traditional table games and 36 electronic table games that provided varied playing experiences, while a restaurant and bar offered dining choices, sports betting kiosks handled wagers on events, and dedicated parking facilities managed the flow of arriving guests throughout the opening day activities, and these elements combined to create an immediate draw for both local residents and travelers from the Charlotte area.
Staff members welcomed the influx of patrons as operations began smoothly, with the venue designed to handle high volumes from the start, and reports from the day highlighted steady crowds moving through gaming floors and common areas without major disruptions.
Employment Impact and Workforce Growth
The tribe hired approximately 600 people to support the phase one launch, with recruitment efforts focused on roles in gaming, hospitality, and support services, while long-term plans call for more than 2,000 total positions once the complete resort reaches full capacity, and this job creation timeline aligns with the broader construction and opening schedule for the 2-million-square-foot property.
Training programs prepared new employees for their positions ahead of opening, and hiring continued in waves to match the phased rollout, which allowed the operation to scale efficiently as visitor numbers stabilized after the initial surge.
Development Timeline and Future Expansions
The full resort, scheduled to open in spring 2027, will add a 385-room hotel along with additional amenities that expand the current footprint, and construction crews remain active on site to complete these structures while the introductory casino maintains regular hours, and this sequential approach lets the Catawba Nation test systems and gather operational data before the larger property comes online.
Planners coordinated the timeline to minimize downtime between phases, and the existing temporary facility from 2021 provided continuity during the transition to permanent structures, while infrastructure improvements around the Kings Mountain location supported increased traffic and accessibility for guests.
Regional Context and Visitor Response
Kings Mountain sits near teh Charlotte metropolitan area, which helped generate early interest from a wide regional audience, and opening day attendance figures reflected that proximity as people arrived by car and bus throughout the afternoon and evening, while local businesses nearby noted spillover effects from the increased foot traffic.
According to coverage from WBTV, the event drew sustained crowds that tested the new parking and entry systems under real-world conditions, and these initial observations will inform adjustments ahead of the 2027 expansion.
Conclusion
The May 2026 opening of the first phase at the Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort establishes a working foundation for the larger project, with current operations providing employment, entertainment, and revenue streams that support ongoing construction, and the scheduled addition of the hotel and expanded facilities in 2027 will complete the vision for a full-scale destination that builds on the momentum already established by the introductory casino.