The Catawba Nation is not done yet. Just as the tribe cut the ribbon on its massive $1.2 billion casino in Kings Mountain, Chief Brian Harris made a bold promise. Two more North Carolina casinos are coming, and the sites are already picked. But he refused to say where.
Chief Harris Drops the Big News at the Ribbon Cutting
The announcement came Wednesday, July 1, during a celebration few in the crowd will forget.
Roughly 500 tribal members, staff, and guests gathered off Interstate 85 at exit 5 for the grand opening of the first phase of the Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort. The site sits about 35 miles west of Charlotte.
Then Harris spoke words that lit up the room.
“We got two more casinos to build in this state, and goddamn we’re going to build them.”
The Catawba Nation now plans a total of three casinos across North Carolina, a scale of tribal gaming the state has never seen before.
When The Charlotte Observer asked Harris to name the two new locations, he held back. “I can’t tell you that right now,” he said. The silence only added to the buzz.
Inside the $1.2 Billion Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort
The Kings Mountain property is the centerpiece of the tribe’s gaming push. It has been years in the making, and the first phase is finally open to the public.
Here is a quick look at what the project brings to the region:
- Investment: A $1.2 billion price tag for the full resort vision.
- Location: Kings Mountain, just off I-85 exit 5, near the South Carolina line.
- Distance: About 35 miles west of Charlotte, an easy drive for millions.
- Draw: Slot machines, table games, dining, and live entertainment under one roof.
The resort has grown in stages. What started as a temporary gaming tent years ago has now become a permanent, full scale destination that the tribe hopes will pull visitors from across the Carolinas.
For a tribe long tied to South Carolina, planting roots this deep in North Carolina marks a turning point. The Catawba see gaming as a path to jobs, revenue, and long term stability for their people.
Why the Two New Sites Stay a Secret for Now
Keeping the locations quiet is a smart business move, and it is easy to see why.
Casino projects depend on land deals, federal approvals, and local support. Naming a spot too early can drive up land prices or spark opposition before the tribe is ready to answer questions.
There is also a legal layer. Tribal casinos in North Carolina must clear hurdles tied to federal trust land and gaming compacts, a process that can take years and plenty of paperwork.
So the message from Harris was clear on intent but light on detail. The tribe knows exactly where it wants to go. It simply is not ready to show its hand.
What This Expansion Means for North Carolina
The stakes reach far beyond one ribbon cutting. Gaming has become one of the most watched topics in the state.
North Carolina lawmakers have debated casino expansion for years, weighing new jobs and tax dollars against worries about gambling addiction and community impact. The Catawba plan lands right in the middle of that ongoing fight.
For everyday residents, three casinos could mean thousands of construction and hospitality jobs. It could also reshape tourism corridors along major highways.
Here is what to keep an eye on as the story unfolds:
- Site reveals: Watch for the tribe to name locations once land and approvals are locked in.
- State response: Lawmakers and local leaders will weigh in fast.
- Jobs: Each new casino could bring a wave of hiring to its area.
- Competition: Nearby states and existing operators will be watching closely.
If all three casinos come to life, the Catawba Nation would stand among the most powerful gaming players in the Southeast.
The Catawba, one of the oldest tribes in the Carolinas, have fought hard for economic footing. Leaders frame this growth as more than money. They call it a way to fund healthcare, education, and services for future generations.
Still, questions remain. Timelines, funding for the next phases, and the exact sites are all unanswered. What is certain is the tribe’s confidence and its refusal to slow down.
The Catawba Nation just opened a billion dollar casino and, in the same breath, promised two more. It is a bold vision built on years of struggle and hope for a stronger future, and for many tribal members standing in that crowd, it felt like a dream finally taking shape. Where will the next two casinos rise, and how will North Carolina respond? What do you think about the tribe’s big bet? Share your thoughts in the comments below and let us know if this growth is good for the state.
