What's Left Before Opening? Inside the Final Stretch of Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort Construction

KINGS MOUNTAIN, N.C., Sept. 25, 2026 - Nearly four months after the first phase of the $1.25 billion Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort opened to the public, construction crews continue working toward the permanent resort's anticipated spring 2027 debut.

The opening of the introductory casino in May marked a major milestone for the project, replacing the temporary gaming facility that had operated since 2021. The first phase includes 1,350 slot machines, traditional and electronic table games, dining options, sports betting kiosks and portions of the resort's parking structure.

But while guests are already gaming inside the new facility, significant work remains before the full resort vision becomes reality.

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Hotel Tower Remains Key Construction Focus

One of the most visible components still under development is the resort's planned 24-story hotel tower.

The hotel, which is expected to include 385 guest rooms, has become a prominent feature of the Kings Mountain skyline and was among the areas highlighted during a July ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating progress on the project. Officials and guests toured portions of the hotel and other facilities that remain under construction.

Public construction updates released this summer indicated work continued on the interior build-out of the hotel tower, though project officials have not publicly disclosed a specific completion percentage.

Casino Build-Out Continues Above Introductory Gaming Floor

The introductory casino currently operating at the resort represents only a portion of the final gaming complex.

According to project updates, crews have continued construction on upper casino levels while the ground-floor introductory casino remains open to guests. The permanent resort is planned to feature approximately 4,300 slot machines and 100 table games when fully completed.

The transition from structural construction to interior finishing typically includes installation of gaming infrastructure, surveillance systems, lighting, technology networks and other operational components required before opening. While developers have not released detailed progress reports on those elements, no public construction setbacks have been reported.

The completed resort is expected to include 11 dining outlets, multiple bars and additional guest amenities beyond gaming operations. Plans call for a steakhouse, Italian restaurant, marketplace venues and other food-and-beverage offerings.

Many of those venues have not yet opened, suggesting interior tenant build-outs remain part of the project's final construction phase. Public announcements identifying operators or opening schedules for individual restaurants have not yet been released.

Parking, Infrastructure and Final Testing Ahead

Large-scale resort projects typically enter a commissioning phase before opening, during which building systems are tested and inspected.

The first and second levels of the parking structure opened with the introductory casino in May, while the completed development is expected to provide roughly 3,500 parking spaces through a combination of garage and surface parking.

Final inspections, operational certifications and other regulatory approvals are also expected to be part of the process before the permanent resort opens. Project updates issued this summer indicated those approval processes remain part of the final sequence leading to opening day.

Spring 2027 Target Remains Unchanged

Perhaps the most significant update is that the project's anticipated opening timetable has not changed.

Construction reports published during the summer indicated the resort remained on track for a spring 2027 launch, with no publicly reported delays, stoppages or major complications affecting the schedule.

For now, the introductory casino offers a glimpse of what the completed resort will become. The next major milestones likely will involve completion of the hotel tower, opening of the permanent casino floors and the unveiling of the resort's full lineup of dining and entertainment amenities.

Until then, the question is no longer whether construction is happening.

It's how much remains before one of the largest casino resort developments in the Carolinas is ready to open its doors.

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