Construction Set to Begin on Catawba Nation Casino

The Catawba Nation is set to begin construction on a $700 million casino project in Kings Mountain, which will create nearly 2,000 jobs, tribal leaders announced on Friday.

After resolving a financial dispute with developer Wallace Cheves over the Catawba Two Kings Casino in Kings Mountain, the two parties reached a settlement this month. The groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for June 7, according to a news release from the Catawba Nation.

The first phase of the $700 million casino resort is expected to open in early 2026. This phase will feature an “introductory casino” with 1,350 electronic gaming machines, 12 table games, a 40-seat restaurant, and a sportsbook area. Construction had been delayed for years due to regulatory scrutiny of the partnership between the Catawbas and Cheves’ Sky Boat Gaming.

Since 2021, the Catawbas have operated a temporary “pre-launch” facility in Kings Mountain with 1,000 gaming machines. The new introductory casino will replace this facility and employ 420 people.

Details of the settlement between the Catawbas and Sky Boat Gaming were not disclosed, but the Catawba Nation confirmed that the agreement removed Sky Boat from any interest in the project. Sky Boat Gaming had assisted the Catawbas in acquiring the 17-acre site in Kings Mountain and placing it into a land trust for the casino. However, in 2022, the National Indian Gaming Commission ruled that the development contract between the tribe and Sky Boat violated federal law, as Sky Boat had too much ownership and authority over the project, which should benefit the approximately 3,000 Catawba members.

Catawba Nation Chief Brian Harris expressed relief and optimism in a news release: “We persevered to achieve a fair deal so that we can now realize the full financial and economic benefits of the project for Catawba Nation members and residents of Cleveland County.”