Nearly three years after the Catawba Nation opened a temporary casino facility in Kings Mountain, NC, the tribe has introduced live dealer table games to the venue. The Catawba Nation, the only federally recognized tribe in South Carolina, has historical ties to North Carolina, specifically ancestral lands in Kings Mountain.
Introduction of Live Dealer Table Games
Operating under a Class III gaming compact with the North Carolina government, which was approved by the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs in 2021, the temporary Catawba Two Kings Casino initially offered around 1,000 slot machines and electronic gaming positions since its opening on July 1, 2021. The facility also features sports betting.
As of this week, Two Kings Casino guests can now enjoy live dealer table games. The casino has introduced 12 tables, including blackjack, craps, roulette, mini baccarat, three-card poker, and Mississippi stud poker.
Progress on Permanent Resort
After years of delays due to legal issues concerning ownership stakes, the Catawba Nation has finally broken ground on the $700 million resort complex earlier this month. The delay was primarily due to a local businessman, Wallace Cheves, having been deemed by a US federal agency to have had too much ownership stake in the permanent casino project.
Cheves, who is politically connected in Raleigh, played a significant role in helping the tribe place its North Carolina land into federal trust and secure the Class III gaming compact. However, the National Indian Gaming Commission ruled that Cheves’ company, Sky Boat Gaming, LLC, held too much equity in the Two Kings Casino Resort development.
The dispute led to prolonged court battles, with Cheves claiming he was owed $125 million if the tribe wanted to remove him as a partner. The terms of the settlement were confidential, though the tribe’s payment of $40 million for 9.5 acres of rural land near the casino to an entity controlled by Cheves raised some eyebrows.
The first phase of the permanent resort, expected to open in 2026, will include a casino floor with 1,350 slots, 12 table games, a sportsbook, and a restaurant. Future phases will expand the gaming floor to house over 4,000 slots and 100 table games, along with five more restaurants and a 400-room hotel.
New Partnership with Delaware North
Following the dissolution of its relationship with Cheves and Sky Boat, the Catawba Nation has partnered with Delaware North, a New York-based hospitality management firm. Delaware North manages casinos in multiple states, including Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, and West Virginia.
The tribe has secured $700 million in financing to bring the permanent integrated resort to life, with Delaware North handling the operations of Two Kings Casino Resort, including its gaming and lodging.
North Carolina’s Casino Landscape
North Carolina remains free of commercial casinos after efforts to expand casino gambling in the state failed in Raleigh last year. However, Caesars Entertainment operates Harrah’s Cherokee and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River on behalf of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the only federally recognized tribe based in North Carolina.
Conclusion
The introduction of live dealer table games at the Catawba Two Kings Casino marks a significant expansion of the temporary facility in Kings Mountain, NC. With plans underway for a $700 million resort, the Catawba Nation, in partnership with Delaware North, is poised to create a major entertainment destination. As the project progresses, the casino industry in North Carolina is set to experience substantial growth, bringing new opportunities and attractions to the region.
Garry Sputnim is a seasoned journalist and storyteller with over a decade of experience in the trenches of global news. With a keen eye for uncovering stories that resonate, Alex has reported from over 30 countries, bringing light to untold narratives and the human faces behind the headlines. Specializing in investigative journalism, Garry has a knack for technology and social justice issues, weaving compelling narratives that bridge tech and humanity. Outside the newsroom, Garry is an avid rock climber and podcast host, exploring stories of resilience and innovation.