This page contains archived news updates for Catawba Two Kings Casino from 2026.These items were originally posted on the casino's profile page and have been preserved here as part ofthe 500 Nations legacy news archive. Major stories from this year may also appear as standalone articlesin the main News section.
Catawba Two Kings Introductory Casino Opening Still Unannounced as Signs Point to Imminent Launch
April 29, 2026
KINGS MOUNTAIN, NC - One month after the Catawba Nation's initial target of late March 2026 for the opening of the new Introductory Casino at the Two Kings Casino Resort, the tribe has not released a firm public opening date. Yet on-site activity, equipment deliveries, and internal preview events strongly indicate the launch is close.
➤ Key takeaway
All visible indicators suggest the Introductory Casino is nearly ready, but the Catawba Nation has not announced an official opening date - and no public reporting indicates a major construction or regulatory problem.
➤ What we know so far
Public reporting throughout February and March showed rapid progress:
Gaming equipment installed: Slot machines and electronic table games were delivered and installed in March, according to multiple local outlets.
Internal preview event: The tribe hosted a "Taste and Tour" preview event for Catawba citizens on March 20, signaling interior readiness.
Temporary casino wind-down: The temporary casino held its final large cash drawing on March 21, and chip phase-out began March 24 - a typical step before transitioning to a new gaming floor.
Construction workforce: Construction crews remained active on site with hundreds of workers completing interior and exterior work.
These developments align with a project entering its final pre-opening phase.
➤ Why no opening date has been announced
The Catawba Nation has not issued a public statement explaining the delay. However, based on industry norms and the pattern of activity, several likely explanations exist. These are inferences, not confirmed reasons.
1. Final inspections and licensing
Casino openings often hinge on last-minute approvals, including fire and life-safety inspections, gaming system certifications, and regulatory sign-offs. These steps can shift by days or weeks and are rarely announced in advance.
2. Operational readiness
Even when the building is complete, operators may still be finalizing staff training, IT systems, cash-handling procedures, and surveillance and compliance testing. A casino typically will not announce an opening date until these systems are fully validated.
3. Strategic communications
Tribal gaming operators sometimes avoid naming a date until they can guarantee it. Missing a public date can create reputational risk, so some tribes wait until the final green light.
4. Minor construction or supply delays
Nothing in public reporting suggests a major setback, but small delays - flooring, signage, software integration, or vendor scheduling - can push an opening slightly past the target window.
➤ Is there a major problem?
There is no evidence of a major construction failure, regulatory halt, or financial issue. All visible indicators - equipment installation, preview events, and the wind-down of the temporary casino - point toward an opening that is close, not canceled.
The lack of public communication appears to reflect timing and internal readiness, not a crisis.
➤ What happens next
The tribe is expected to announce the opening date once final inspections are complete, gaming systems are certified, and staff training is finalized. Given the level of visible progress, the announcement could come at any time.
Catawba Two Kings Casino | Countdown Begins to Grand Opening
March 18, 2026
Catawba Two Kings Casino is actively counting down to a late March 2026 grand opening of its new Introductory Casino. Although the exact date has not been set, the transition from the modular/temporary casino to the new ground-floor, introductory casino inside the permanent casino building is in the final days.
March 20, 2026 The "Taste and Tour" preview event will be held inside the new casino from 6 PM to 9 PM March 20 for invited members of the Catawba Nation only. This will be a guided walkthrough of the facility and a sample tasting of foods from its new Toads Table restaurant. The restaurant will feature an "elevated casual" menu of signature burgers, artisanal sandwiches and freshly prepared regional entrees.
March 21, 2036 The final $50,000 cash drawing will be held at the temporary casino marking the ending of an era that started July 1, 2021.
March 24, 2026 The Big Switch program to discontinue the current table game chips will begin March 24th and continue for 120 days. Old chips can be redeemed at the cage inside the new Introductory Casino.
Late March (TBA) The official grand opening will kickoff with brief speeches from tribal and casino officials followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Tribal Chief Brian Harris.
Catawba Two Kings Casino prepares to open "Introductory Casino"
March 13, 2026
Although the opening date for the "Introductory Casino" is expected soon but still officially unannounced, both the Catawba Two Kings Casino website and the casino's Facebook page show signs that the opening date is coming very soon.
First, a message at the very top of the casino's homepage says the use of current table game chips will soon be discontinued. These chips are used in the temporary casino, which has operated since July 1, 2021 and will be immediately shut down when the Introductory Casino opens. The message reads:
"Starting on March 24, 2026, Catawba Two Kings Casino will begin to discontinue the use of all current table game chips. Guests will have 120 days to redeem their chips after discontinuation begins. Redemption of discontinued chips will take place at the casino cage."
The message raises questions because it is indirectly tied to the opening of the Introductory Casino. Why March 24th? Will something else be announced on that day or beginning that day? Perhaps, the opening of the Introductory Casino?
Secondly, the casino's Facebook page indicates the opening date is very near and will happen in "spring 2026". Spring starts in only a few days.
"A new era of entertainment starts this spring. #TwoKingsCasino is debuting our introductory casino -- bring fresh excitement, fan-favorite games, and your first look at what's ahead. We can't wait to welcome you in!"
According to the Facebook page, this is what the new casino will feature:
1,336 slot machines 22 table games 9 sports betting kiosks 18 seats at a full-service bar 11 video poker bar-top games 72-seat fast-casual restaurant
The full-scale Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort will open in Spring 2027 and comprise nearly 2 million square feet. It will feature a multi-floor casino with 4,300 slot machines, 100 table games and a high-limit gaming area. The Introductory Casino will be converted to smoking gaming area. There will be 5 restaurants, 6 bars and a players lounge, a connecting hotel tower with 385 rooms, and a parking garage.
This sneak-peak video inside the Catawba Two Kings Casino shows the exciting progress achieved after two years of construction. The new, Introductory Casino is scheduled to open in late March, and the Full Casino Resort will open in Spring 2027.
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Catawba Two Kings Casino: An exclusive look at what's inside - Courtesy of WCNC, Feb 9, 2026. Available from YouTube
Construction continues 24/7 with more than 900 workers on site. When the full casino resort opens there will be 2,000 employees.
"This is a catapult to get us for the next seven generations. Growing up, I didn't have those same opportunities, so we have been truly blessed."
When finished, Catawba Two Kings will be a $1 billion casino resort with 2.2 million-square-feet of gaming, dining, entertainment, hotel and retail space located in Kings Mountain, NC near the Kings Mountain Boulevard interchange at I-85 Exit 5.
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Catawba Two Kings Casino begins opening Feb-Mar 2026
January 24, 2026
The $1 billion Catawba Two Kings Casino will soon be opening in phases. The first phase will open the ground-floor section of the permanent casino sometime in February or March 2026, The remaining casino sections will open in later phases in 2027 when the top floor of the casino is completed. The new Feb-Mar opening date was announced by Chief Brian Harris in a video on the Catawba Nation's Facebook page,
"February and March, we're opening up the 80,000-square-foot introductory casino. So we're going to be out of all of those trailers, and we're going to repurpose those 61 trailers."
The introductory casino will include a 80,000-square-foot gaming floor with 1,336 slot machines, 22 table games and sports betting kiosks. There will also be a 68-seat restaurant and an 18-seat bar. At the same time the Two Kings temporary casino will shut down. That casino has operated 24/7 since July 1, 2021.
When the final phase is completed, the Catawba Two Kings Casino will feature 4,300 slot machines, 100 table games and a high-limit gaming area. The introductory casino will be converted into the casino's smoking area.
The Catawba Nation is preparing to open an introductory casino in Kings Mountain, NC this Spring and has started the hiring process with a careers page on its website to find and train workers before the grand opening.
This introductory casino is part of the final casino and will occupy the ground floor of the new casino building. When it opens this spring, it will feature 1350 slot machines, 22 live table games, a sportsbook, a restaurant, and two levels of the parking garage.
Catawba Two Kings Casino Careers Page (link) The casino careers page is the online source to explore if you are interested in employment. The casino plans to hire 2,000 additional employees for this year..Currently, there are only 29 job postings, but many more are expected very soon. Career fields include casino operations, dealers, cage, maintenance, IT, AV, security, food and beverage, guest services and more!
If you do not find a job you are looking for there is help offered on the careers page. There is a button which reads "Join the Talent Community" to keep you updated on ,pre cp,omg opportunities.
Job fairs are expected to be announced soon. Check back on the careers page for future updates.
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Sneak-Peek Video Inside Catawba Two Kings Casino
