$1.25B Casino Opens Near Charlotte

Written by Jay White

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A $1.25 Billion Casino Resort Is Rising Near Charlotte — Here's What It Means for the Region

One of the largest entertainment developments in the Charlotte region just took a major step forward.

The Catawba Nation recently opened the first phase of its highly anticipated Two Kings Casino Resort in Kings Mountain, located approximately 35 miles west of Charlotte.

While the newly opened facility is already drawing attention, the bigger story is what comes next.

The full development represents a $1.25 billion investment and has the potential to reshape tourism, employment, and economic activity across the region.

For many people, it's more than a casino.

It's one of the largest economic development projects currently underway near Charlotte.

What Has Opened So Far?

The first phase of Two Kings Casino is now welcoming guests.

Current offerings include:

1,350 slot machines
Table games
Sports betting kiosks
A restaurant
A bar

For visitors, it's the first opportunity to experience the project that has been years in the making.

But this initial facility is only a preview of what's coming.

The Full Resort Is Expected in 2027

The long-term vision for Two Kings Casino is much larger than what exists today.

When completed, the resort is expected to feature:

A 24-story hotel tower
More than 4,000 slot machines
Multiple gaming areas
11 restaurants
Entertainment venues
Retail and hospitality space
Accommodations for thousands of guests

Once finished, it will rank among the largest entertainment destinations in the Carolinas.

And perhaps more importantly, it will create a regional attraction capable of drawing visitors from across North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and beyond.

Why Kings Mountain?

Location is a major part of the story.

Kings Mountain sits along Interstate 85, providing easy access to Charlotte and several surrounding population centers.

For visitors coming from the Charlotte metro area, the casino is close enough for a day trip while still serving as a destination resort for travelers from farther away.

Its location positions it to capture tourism dollars that might otherwise flow to larger gaming markets in neighboring states.

The Economic Impact Could Be Significant

While most headlines focus on gaming, economic development leaders are paying attention to something else:

Jobs.

Large-scale resort developments typically generate employment across multiple sectors, including:

Hospitality
Food and beverage
Retail
Entertainment
Facilities management
Security
Administrative operations

Thousands of construction jobs are also created during the development phase.

Once fully operational, the project is expected to support thousands of permanent jobs throughout the region. For Cleveland County and surrounding communities, that level of investment has the potential to create lasting economic benefits.

What Could This Mean for Charlotte?

Although the resort is located outside Mecklenburg County, Charlotte will likely feel some of the impact.

Major entertainment destinations tend to create ripple effects that extend well beyond their immediate location.

Potential benefits include:

Increased Tourism

Visitors traveling to the casino may also spend time in Charlotte, visiting restaurants, sporting events, museums, and attractions.

Additional Employment Opportunities

The project expands the regional job market and creates opportunities for residents throughout the metro area.

Regional Growth

Large-scale investments often encourage additional commercial development nearby, including hotels, restaurants, retail centers, and service businesses.

Greater Entertainment Options

For Charlotte residents, the project creates a new entertainment destination within driving distance.

Not Everyone Agrees

As with most casino developments, public opinion is mixed.

Supporters point to:

Job creation
Tourism revenue
Economic development
New entertainment options

Critics often raise concerns about:

Gambling addiction
Traffic impacts
Social costs
Long-term community effects

The debate is one that has followed casino projects across the country for decades.

As the resort continues expanding, those conversations will likely continue throughout the Charlotte region.

A Sign of the Region's Growth

Regardless of where someone stands on casino development, the scale of this project says something important about the Charlotte region.

Major investors continue betting on long-term growth.

A $1.25 billion project only happens when developers believe population growth, visitor demand, and economic activity will continue increasing for years to come.

In many ways, Two Kings Casino is another example of how the Charlotte region is evolving into a larger, more diverse metropolitan area with attractions and amenities that didn't exist a generation ago.

The Bottom Line

The opening of the first phase of Two Kings Casino marks the beginning of what could become one of the Southeast's most significant entertainment destinations.

With a total investment of approximately $1.25 billion, thousands of expected jobs, a 24-story hotel, 11 restaurants, and more than 4,000 gaming machines planned, the project is much larger than a traditional casino.

It's a major regional development story.

Whether you view it as an economic win, an entertainment destination, or a topic for debate, there's no question that Two Kings Casino will be one of the most closely watched projects in the Charlotte region over the next several years.

What Do You Think?

Is a $1.25 billion casino investment a positive addition to the Charlotte region?

Or would you rather see that level of investment directed toward other types of development?

The conversation around Two Kings Casino is just getting started.