Catawba Nation Plans Two More North Carolina Casinos After Kings Mountain Opening
A brief announcement at Kings Mountain signals a long-term, multi-casino future for tribal gaming in North Carolina.
KINGS MOUNTAIN, NC -June 5, 2026
Opening Day Turns Into a Launchpad for Expansion
What began as a celebration of the first phase of the Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort quickly became something more: a public signal that the Catawba Nation is not stopping at Kings Mountain. During Wednesday's ribbon-cutting ceremony, tribal leaders confirmed that two additional casino projects are already on the drawing board somewhere else in North Carolina.
The announcement was brief, but its implications were sweeping. Rather than treating Two Kings as a one-off destination, the tribe framed the opening as the first step in a broader, statewide gaming strategy that will unfold over the next several years.
#1 Choice of U.S. Players!Chief Harris: "We've Got Two More Casinos to Build"
Addressing hundreds of tribal members, guests, and local officials, Catawba Chief Brian Harris made it clear that Kings Mountain is only the beginning. He told the crowd that the tribe intends to build two more casinos in North Carolina and that the sites have already been identified, even if they are not yet ready to be named publicly.
After the ceremony, Harris explained that the tribe is in preliminary negotiations with the communities involved and that formal announcements will come only once agreements are finalized. For now, the message is simple: the Catawba Nation is planning a multi-property footprint in the state, and Kings Mountain is the first anchor.
Kings Mountain: The First Piece of a Larger Strategy
The new permanent casino at Kings Mountain replaces the temporary facility that has operated on the site for several years. With a significantly expanded gaming floor, dining options, and amenities, the property is designed to function as both a regional draw and a foundation for long-term tribal economic development.
When the full resort build-out is complete, the complex is expected to include a large hotel tower, thousands of slot machines, dozens of table games, multiple restaurants and bars, and extensive parking and support infrastructure. The project is projected to create thousands of jobs and generate a steady stream of revenue for tribal programs, services, and future investments.
Economic Sovereignty and Regional Competition
For the Catawba Nation, the expansion into North Carolina is about more than gaming. Tribal leaders have consistently framed the casino projects as tools for economic sovereignty-vehicles to fund housing, education, healthcare, and cultural preservation for tribal citizens. The Kings Mountain resort, and the two future casinos, are intended to anchor a diversified economic base that the tribe controls.
The move also reshapes the competitive landscape in the region. As other tribes and commercial operators weigh their own projects, the Catawba Nation's decision to pursue multiple North Carolina casinos positions it as a major player along the Interstate 85 corridor and beyond.
Future Sites: Known to the Tribe, Not Yet to the Public
While the tribe has confirmed that both future casino locations have been chosen, details remain closely held. Negotiations with local governments and community stakeholders are still in early stages, and tribal officials have emphasized the need for confidentiality until agreements are in place.
That secrecy has not dampened speculation. Communities across the state are watching closely, aware that a tribal casino can bring jobs, infrastructure investment, and tourism-but also traffic, regulatory scrutiny, and political debate. For now, the Catawba Nation is signaling intent without overpromising, leaving room for negotiations to shape the final form of each project.
From Single Resort to Statewide Presence
The decision to pursue two additional casinos marks a turning point for the Catawba Nation's gaming strategy. Instead of relying on a single flagship property, the tribe is moving toward a network of venues that can serve different markets, diversify revenue streams, and strengthen its long-term position in the Southeast.
If the Kings Mountain resort performs as expected and negotiations for the new sites reach agreement, North Carolina could soon host a trio of Catawba casinos-each contributing to tribal self-determination and reshaping the state's relationship with tribal gaming.
What Comes Next
In the near term, the focus remains on completing the full build-out at Kings Mountain and solidifying the resort's role as a regional destination. Behind the scenes, however, the tribe will continue negotiating with the communities tied to the two future casino sites, working through land, regulatory, and infrastructure questions that accompany any major gaming project.
For observers of tribal gaming and North Carolina economic development, Wednesday's brief announcement may prove to be the most consequential moment of the day. It marked the point at which the Catawba Nation publicly shifted from "a casino in Kings Mountain" to "a statewide casino strategy"-and signaled that the story of tribal gaming in North Carolina is still being written.
