Catawba Nation Celebrates Phase One Opening of Two Kings Casino

The Catawba Nation held its ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 1, 2026 to mark the Phase One opening of the Two Kings Casino in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, where construction on the permanent facility had already progressed far enough for visitors to begin using the new space since May 2026, and the full $1.25 billion resort project, which includes a 24-story hotel, remains on track for completion in spring 2027.

Project Scope and Timeline

Observers note that the casino currently employs 800 people with plans to scale up to 2,300 workers once all phases reach full operation, while revenue from operations supports tribal community grants that benefit members across the nation. The permanent facility opened its doors to the public in May 2026 after initial construction milestones were met, allowing the ribbon-cutting event in early July to serve as a formal acknowledgment of that progress rather than the very first day of access.

But here's the thing: the timeline shows steady advancement since groundbreaking on the permanent structure, with Phase One wrapping up just as visitor numbers increased through late spring and into the summer of 2026. And operations have continued without interruption into August 2026, giving the team additional time to refine services ahead of the next construction phases that will bring the 24-story hotel online.

Construction Milestones and Future Phases

Researchers and project reports reveal that the full resort encompasses more than the initial gaming and entertainment areas already in use, since the remaining work focuses on integrating the high-rise hotel tower along with additional amenities that will complete the overall vision by spring 2027. The $1.25 billion investment covers everything from the gaming floor expansions to infrastructure upgrades that support increased visitor traffic once the hotel opens its doors.

What's interesting is how the phased approach allowed the Catawba Nation to begin welcoming guests while still advancing the larger build-out, creating a continuous flow of activity that keeps employment numbers rising and operational experience growing. The 24-story hotel component, once finished, will add hundreds of rooms and meeting spaces that connect directly to the existing Phase One facilities, rounding out the resort's capacity to host larger events and longer stays.

Looking Ahead to Completion

Those who've studied similar tribal gaming projects know that reaching the spring 2027 milestone will mark the transition from partial to complete operations, at which point the full workforce of 2,300 becomes active and the revenue base expands further to sustain the grant programs at a higher level. The July 1, 2026 ribbon-cutting therefore stands as both a celebration of what has been achieved and a marker for teh work that remains before the entire $1.25 billion vision stands finished.