Catawba Nation Advances Multi-Site Casino Strategy in North Carolina

During the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the first phase of the Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, Catawba Chief Brian Harris outlined plans to develop two additional casinos in other parts of the state, and the announcement came as the Kings Mountain facility marked its initial opening around May 2026. The event drew attention because the tribe framed the new resort as the starting point for a wider expansion effort rather than a standalone project.

The Ceremony and Initial Project Context

Local officials joined tribal leaders at the Kings Mountain site for the ceremony, where speakers highlighted the economic activity expected from the first phase of the resort, and construction on subsequent sections continues while the property begins operations. The Catawba Nation secured the necessary approvals for this location after years of negotiations with state and local authorities, which positioned the Kings Mountain property as the tribe's first casino development in North Carolina.

Observers note that the resort sits near major travel routes, a factor that supports visitor access from surrounding regions, while preliminary revenue figures from the opening weeks have already contributed to local tax collections. The project itself involved partnerships between the Catawba Nation and private developers who handled much of the construction and management details.

Public Announcement of Expansion Plans

Chief Harris used the ceremony platform to state that the tribe has identified sites for two more casinos elsewhere in North Carolina, and preliminary talks with affected communities are already underway. No specific cities or counties received mention during the remarks, nor did Harris provide timelines for groundbreaking or regulatory filings related to those future locations.

The announcement emphasized that the Kings Mountain resort serves as the foundation for this broader approach, and tribal representatives indicated they intend to replicate successful elements from this first project at the additional venues. Community negotiations reportedly focus on revenue-sharing agreements and infrastructure support, topics that mirror discussions held during the Kings Mountain approval process.

Current Status as of July 2026

By July 2026 the Kings Mountain resort operates with its initial gaming floor, hotel rooms, and dining options fully active, while additional amenities remain under construction according to project updates released by the tribe. Employment at the property has reached several hundred positions, many filled by residents from Cleveland County and nearby areas. State gaming regulators continue to monitor compliance during these early months of operation.

The two additional casino projects stay in the identification and negotiation stage, with no formal applications submitted to the North Carolina Department of Commerce or other oversight bodies at this point. Tribal spokespeople have confirmed that environmental assessments and market studies for the prospective sites are in progress, steps that typically precede formal compact negotiations with the state.

Regulatory and Economic Framework

North Carolina law requires tribal gaming facilities to operate under compacts approved by both the state legislature and the governor, a process the Catawba Nation completed for the Kings Mountain location in prior years. Any new sites will follow the same pathway, which includes public hearings and revenue allocation formulas that direct portions of gaming proceeds to state and local governments.

According to the National Indian Gaming Commission, tribal gaming nationwide generated more than $40 billion in revenue during the most recent reported fiscal year, and North Carolina seeks to capture a growing share of that activity through its limited number of tribal facilities. The Catawba expansion plan aligns with this trend while remaining subject to the same federal and state oversight applied to existing operations.

Local economic development offices in potential host communities have begun internal reviews of the tribe's proposals, although those discussions remain confidential pending further public disclosure. County commissioners in several western and central North Carolina jurisdictions have scheduled closed sessions to examine preliminary data on employment projections and infrastructure needs.

Conclusion

The announcement at the Kings Mountain ribbon-cutting ceremony established the Catawba Nation's intent to pursue a multi-casino footprint across North Carolina, beginning with the operational first phase already underway and continuing through ongoing site evaluations for two additional properties. As of July 2026 the tribe continues discussions with prospective host communities while maintaining compliance requirements at the existing resort. Further updates on specific locations or project timelines await completion of current negotiations and regulatory reviews.