The Eastern Band has appealed the ruling.Ĭonstruction on an introductory phase of the full casino and resort is expected to begin by the end of the year. A federal judge sided with the Catawbas in April. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, which operates two casinos in far western North Carolina, sued the Catawbas and the Interior Department in federal court last year to try to stop the Kings Mountain casino. Roy Cooper agreed in January to a revenue-sharing compact, which was approved by federal officials in March. It represents a prosperous future and renewed kinship between the Catawba Nation and the many communities that now occupy Catawba ancestral lands.” “Catawba Two Kings Casino represents the righting of a historical wrong for the Catawba Nation,” tribal Chief Bill Harris said in a news release. Interior Department agreed in early 2020 to put 17 acres in Cleveland County into trust for the project. Spurned by South Carolina in previous efforts to offer gambling other than bingo in their home state, Catawba members sought to build a casino in North Carolina, citing what they call its historical and ancestral ties to land in the state. It’s a key step in ultimately creating the $273 million Catawba Two Kings Casino with plans for 2,600 permanent jobs and revenues for the tribe.

Tribal leaders were joined by local and state government officials Thursday for a ribbon-cutting at the modular facility containing 500 slot machines just off Interstate 85 in Kings Mountain, about 35 miles west of Charlotte. Leaders in the community are excited for the economic impact of the new casino, which will create 250 new jobs for the area.

The casino is expected to raise millions for the Catawba Nation and bring hundreds of thousands of people to Kings Mountain. For now, visitors can try their luck at the slot machines.

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