Casino lovers can begin countdown for the opening of Catawba Nation resort in NC

Home » News » Casino News » Casino lovers can begin countdown for the opening of Catawba Nation resort in NC

Tribal Administrator Elizabeth Harris recently disclosed to the public that the Catawba Indian Nation intends to see the first part of its planned $273 million through the Two Kings Casino Resort in Kings Mountain.

“After clearing is completed, we will immediately start building an introductory facility,” said Harris through his email to the Charlotte Observer this week.

According to Harris, the facility, which is a 60,000 square foot close to Dixon school road, will have nothing less than 1,300 slot machines, a relaxation spot, restaurant and will also be provided with other basic amenities.

She said that the first phase would need an investment between $80 million to $100 million to see it through, and the budget also extends for road improvement to handle the traffic.

In one social media post on Dec. 1, the Catawba tribe leaders invited its citizens who owned electrical, landscaping, flooring, and various construction-related business to participate in the first phase of the intended project. The leaders said they were going to forward those names to the general project contractor.

After so many years of efforts, the Catawba Nation finally had a breakthrough for the casino this July. The site for the casino is 35 miles west of Charlotte.

With the prohibition of gambling in South Carolina, the Catawba had no option than to gamble in other location for at least eight years.

In March, the tribe finally had federal approval to buy 16 acres for the casino project. The land was placed on trust by the U.S Interior Department, a designation giving the tribe the approval to establish a casino.

WRAL-TV reported that a plan was submitted by the tribe to North Carolina Gov. Roy Copper, giving an extensive detail of how they were going to operate the casino.

In November, Tribal Administrator Elizabeth Harris told the Observer that the tribe was having “serious discussions” with Gov. Roy Copper in a so-called compact.

If there can agree, it would allow the tribe to bring in Vegas gambling style to Charlotte, which will feature slot machines, roulette, and blackjack at the casino.

This agreement lets the tribe bring Vegas-style gambling to the Charlotte area, including slot machines, blackjack, and roulette at the casino.

According to WRAL-TV, the compact will also include the estimated revenues North Carolina will receive from the casino activities.

Harris on Friday said that they were nothing new to report because they’re still having negotiations on a compact.

However, the Observer asked the tribe if they would go ahead with the construction if the compact did not pull through, but the tribe administrator said, “Our main focus is to work hand-in-hand with the state on a compact.”

The Eastern Cherokees sued the U.S. Department of Interior and the Catawbas for bypassing Congress in the process due to political pressure. Final legal filings as regards the lawsuit will be held in January 2021.

News References:

https://greensboro.com/news/state-and-regional/casino-lovers-can-begin-countdown-for-the-opening-of-catawba-nation-resort-near-charlotte/article_1e8964c8-3e23-11eb-a6f8-f788759549a0.html