
The Catawba Nation opened the first completed phase of its permanent Two Kings Casino Resort in Kings Mountain, North Carolina near Charlotte, and this development replaces a temporary facility that operated since 2021 while the larger project moved forward. Construction on the full resort began in 2024 with an estimated total cost between one billion and one point two five billion dollars, and the initial phase now provides gaming and dining options that expand the previous setup. Observers note that this step marks steady progress toward the expected full completion by spring 2027, when a twenty four story hotel and main casino floor will join the existing elements.
More than one thousand three hundred slot machines form the core of the new gaming area along with electronic gaming tables, traditional table games, and sports betting kiosks that allow visitors additional betting choices. A rewards desk supports player programs while a restaurant and bar area provide food and beverage services in the same location, and these features create a self contained experience that builds on the temporary operations from earlier years. The layout integrates these components into a single structure designed for efficient flow between gaming zones and amenities, whereas the temporary site had operated with more limited capacity since its start in 2021.
People familiar with the project point out that the permanent phase brings upgraded infrastructure to the site, and this includes modernized equipment and expanded square footage for the listed gaming options. Data from project updates shows the transition from temporary to permanent facilities addresses long term operational needs for the Catawba Nation, and the move aligns with timelines set when construction started in 2024. Those tracking the development note that the opened phase stands as the first major milestone before the remaining elements arrive.
The overall resort development carries a budget range of one billion to one point two five billion dollars, and this investment covers the hotel tower along with the primary casino floor that remain under construction. Full completion remains scheduled for spring 2027, at which point the resort will operate as a comprehensive destination with integrated lodging and expanded gaming spaces. Employment projections for the finished project fall between two thousand and two thousand two hundred positions, which will support roles across gaming, hospitality, food service, and maintenance departments once operations reach capacity.
Construction activities that began in 2024 continue on the remaining structures while the opened phase functions independently, and this phased approach allows revenue generation to support ongoing work. According to reports from industry tracking sources, the schedule keeps the project on track despite typical variables in large scale builds, and the Catawba Nation has maintained consistent communication about milestone achievements. The location in Kings Mountain positions the resort within driving distance of Charlotte, which broadens potential visitor access across the region.

The replacement of the temporary facility with this permanent phase reflects a deliberate strategy to establish lasting infrastructure, and researchers tracking tribal gaming projects note similar patterns in other developments where initial sites serve as placeholders during planning. The opened elements already include over one thousand three hundred slots plus supporting table games and sports betting options, while the restaurant and bar create on site convenience that reduces the need for external services during visits. Employment during this phase contributes to local job numbers, though the full two thousand to two thousand two hundred positions will materialize after the 2027 completion date.
What's notable here is the integration of rewards systems and betting kiosks within the same footprint as dining areas, and this design supports extended stays without requiring separate trips between facilities. Figures from the project indicate the one to one point two five billion dollar investment will ultimately deliver a twenty four story hotel that adds lodging capacity once construction finishes. Observers who follow North Carolina gaming developments have documented the progression from the 2021 temporary opening through the 2024 construction start to the current phase activation.
Spring 2027 marks the target for the main casino floor and hotel tower, and this timeline allows additional phases to build on the foundation already in place with the opened gaming and dining areas. The Catawba Nation continues to manage the site operations while contractors advance the remaining construction, and this dual focus keeps both current services and future expansions moving forward simultaneously. Employment growth will scale with each completed section until the upper range of two thousand two hundred workers is reached at full operation.
The first phase opening establishes a permanent base for Two Kings Casino Resort operations in Kings Mountain, and this development replaces the temporary arrangement that began in 2021 with expanded gaming selections and amenities. Project details confirm the one to one point two five billion dollar investment, the 2024 construction initiation, and the spring 2027 full completion target that includes the twenty four story hotel along with employment for two thousand to two thousand two hundred people. Additional updates appear in coverage from World Casino Directory and related industry reports that track the ongoing build.