Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort To Bring Major Economic Boost To Kings Mountain

A billion-dollar casino resort is set to be built in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, and is expected to be an important catalyst of regional economic growth.

Located right off Interstate 85, the development is strategically positioned to attract both local and out-of-state visitors.

Just five miles from the South Carolina border and within 35 miles of Charlotte, the Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort is expected to provide jobs and draw visitors from across the Carolinas.

State-Of-The-Art Resort Features

The resort will feature a 24-story hotel with 385 guest rooms, connected directly to a large casino floor that will, when fully operational, offer more than 4,300 slot machines, 100 table games, 11 food and beverage outlets, 11 bars, and a gaming lounge.

The property is successfully moving forward through the planning process to build a hotel and casino. 

It will have an extensive parking capability with a 2700-space parking garage and an 800-space parking surface lot.

Construction is progressing well, with the hotel’s steel frame and foundations now complete across the site. The resort will open in phases, beginning with a soft launch in spring 2026. 

Guests will enjoy slot machines, table games, a variety of dining options, a full-service bar, and convenient sports betting kiosks.

The whole hotel and casino complex will open in 2027.

Economic Impact On Kings Mountain And Beyond

Local officials expect the development will spark further investment in the area. 

The area immediately surrounding Exit 5 is still underdeveloped, but city planners expect the resort to shift some of that underdevelopment to new hotels, restaurants, and shops, benefiting visitor traffic. 

Officials also expect that increased visitation to downtown Kings Mountain will spur a broader range of economic activity.

Nearby Cherokee County will also benefit indirectly from the resort's operations. 

Nearby businesses near the highway exit may gain extra customers, and additional lodging may be constructed nearby to accommodate the increase in tourists in the area. 

Visitors to the resort will also create more opportunities for family-oriented day trips and tourism in neighboring towns, further expanding the region's economic impact.

Infrastructure And Community Benefits

Infrastructure upgrades have been a massive part of the project. 

The bridge over Dixon School Road at I-85 was widened to accommodate more vehicles, and new sewer lines were installed to support the resort operation. 

The temporary casino on site opened nearly two years ago and garnered substantial regional interest before the full-scale project opened.

To the Catawba Nation, the resort is primarily a milestone in developing a sustainable, long-term solution to pursuing self-sufficiency. 

The resort is projected to create 2,000 permanent jobs for the community and generate ongoing revenue through tourism, spurring community and regional growth.

A Transformative Project For The Region

While Kings Mountain awaits a phased opening, the Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort is ready to transform the community.

By combining hospitality, gaming, and entertainment with new job opportunities, the project is poised to become the region's main economic engine.

The resort's long-term benefits are expected to extend well beyond its doors, positively impacting the city and surrounding communities.