North Carolina’s Two Kings Casino Expected to Be a Game-Changer

North Carolina has been a beehive of gaming activity in 2025, but none more economically important to a region than the tribal Two Kings Casino, currently being built in Kings Mountain by the Catawba Nation.

The Final Beam

A temporary casino has been operating since July 2021 near the location of the permanent Two Kings Casino, which has just seen the final beam placed atop the structure. This is a significant, crowning achievement and signals to the world that the introductory casino, featuring 1,350 slot machines, 22 table games, an 86-seat restaurant, and sports betting kiosks, will be open to the public in the spring of 2026.

“This final beam doesn’t just reflect the erection of a structure but the rise of a nation,” Catawba Nation Chief Briand Harris said. “The Catawba Nation’s resilience and unity have been key—our team always finds a way forward. We have overcome challenges through strong intergovernmental relationships, transparent communication with our financial partners, and an unwavering commitment to our long-term vision.”

However, construction on the main casino complex, totaling over 2 million square feet, will include 4,300 slot machines, 100 table games, 11 dining outlets, and 11 bars, along with approximately 7,000 parking spaces, and is still ongoing. Similarly, the 24-story, 385-room hotel, which will be connected to the casino, is also under construction and is expected to open in 2027.

“The casino resort is a multiphase, master-planned destination that will create a regional anchor for tourism and economic activity. But it will be much more than a business venture—it represents economic sovereignty, job creation, and a lasting foundation for the next generation of Catawba citizens,” Harris said.

Synergistic Partnership

Delaware North is a multinational food service and hospitality company headquartered in Buffalo, New York, whose chairman, Jeremy Jacobs, also owns the NHL’s Boston Bruins. That organization, in concert with the Catawba Nation, has been instrumental in guiding the Two Kings project toward completion.

“From the beginning, Delaware North’s role has been clear: to bring your vision to life,” Jacobs said to Chief Harris at the ceremony. “To you and the Catawba Nation: This is your project, and we’re proud to be your partner and to contribute in a meaningful way. Thank you for trusting us to be part of this journey, and we look forward to the work ahead and to seeing this vision fully realized.”

Once the casino and hotel are complete, they are expected to provide an economic boom to the region. The total cost of the project is reported to be close to $1 billion and will create 2,200 permanent jobs.

“The casino resort will be an economic game changer for Catawba citizens and a force to drive the economy of Cleveland County and the City of Kings Mountain,” Catawba Nation Chief Brian Harris said in a statement. “This project is a testament to our resilience, our commitment to self-sufficiency, and our determination to build a better future for ourselves and our future generations.”