Catawba Nation Petitions North Carolina for State Recognition, Teases Casino Opening
Posted on: January 24, 2026, 01:28h.
Last updated on: January 24, 2026, 01:28h.
- The Catawba Nation is seeking state recognition in North Carolina
- The tribe has operated a casino in North Carolina since 2021
The Catawba Nation has petitioned North Carolina for state recognition, where the federally recognized tribe has operated a temporary casino in Kings Mountain since July 2021.
In his 2026 outlook posted to Facebook on Jan. 7, Catawba Nation Chief Brian Harris said the tribe had completed its application to be recognized as a tribal community in North Carolina.
Believe it or not, we hadn’t applied to be state-recognized in North Carolina. So, in 2026, we’ve got all of the paperwork turned in. We’ve done our due diligence. We gave them everything they want,” Harris explained.
The Catawba’s application is pending, though the North Carolina Department of Administration’s American Indian Affairs lists the Catawba Nation as a registered tribal community.
The Catawba Nation is a federally recognized tribe headquartered near Rock Hill, South Carolina. The Catawba Nation’s service area includes North Carolina, and the tribe operates a gaming enterprise in Kings Mountain, North Carolina,” the state tribal authority website reads.
“The Catawba Nation maintains positive relationships with many tribes across the state and provides philanthropic support to projects in the Carolinas through the Catawba Nation Foundation. The Catawba Nation entered into a gaming compact with the State of North Carolina and has petitioned for state recognition with the North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs,” the state agency continued.
‘Introductory’ Casino Opening
The Catawba Nation, backed by gaming and hospitality conglomerate Delaware North, broke ground in June 2024 on its $1 billion permanent casino resort in Kings Mountain. The development is being built near the temporary Two Kings Casino.
Harris said in his 2026 outlook that the 80,000-square-foot “introductory” casino will open in “February or March.” The first phase of the permanent casino will include approximately 1,350 slot machines, 22 live dealer table games, and sports betting kiosks. The opening will additionally include a full-service restaurant and bar, a Lucky North Rewards desk, and 800 surface parking spaces.
Harris says the tribe will repurpose the modular trailers that house the temporary casino that features 1,000 slots and 14 table games.
Permanent Two Kings Casino
The second part of the permanent casino will open in conjunction with the full Two Kings Casino Resort. The final casino will include 4,300 slots, 100 tables, and a sportsbook.
Construction continues to progress on the 24-story, 385-room hotel. Along with the casino, the destination’s amenities feature 11 dining options and a 2,700-space underground parking garage.
The Catawba Nation says the construction of the casino resort has created more than 2,000 jobs in the region. The final product is set to open in 2027.
Under the Catawba’s Class III gaming compact with North Carolina, the tribe shares 6% of its gross gaming revenue from its table games with the state through August 2027. The tax climbs to 7% until August 2032 and to 8% thereafter.
The tribe must also pay the state $191,000 annually to “defray the state’s costs associated with sports and horse wagering oversight.”
Finally, the tribe was also required to establish a foundation “for the benefit of the Catawba, other state and federally recognized tribes, and the local community.” The tribe’s foundational contribution is expected to reach $7.5 million annually once the full resort is up and running.
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