Tribal leaders warn of federal lawsuits if promised priority rights are ignored as rival tribes and developers position for future casino licences along the I-95 corridor.
The Catawba Nation is pressing ahead with a major expansion of its gaming operations in North Carolina while simultaneously warning that it is prepared to mount legal challenges if South Carolina fails to honour past commitments regarding tribal casino rights. The position was outlined by Chief Brian Harris in a recent video address, in which he detailed both the tribe’s regulatory progress and its long-term strategy for gaming development on both sides of the state line.
The tribe already operates a temporary Two Kings Casino in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, after land there was placed into federal trust in 2020 under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). That designation allowed the Catawba, despite general restrictions on newly acquired lands, to open a gaming facility based on its historic presence in the region. The temporary venue, which currently operates from a collection of modular structures, is set to be replaced by an 80,000-square-foot introductory casino in early 2026.
According to Harris, the first phase of the permanent development will feature approximately 1,350 slot machines, 22 table games, sports betting kiosks and a full-service restaurant. This phase represents the opening stage of a $1bn integrated resort project scheduled for full completion in 2027. When finished, the complex is expected to cover around 2m square feet, offering more than 4,300 gaming machines, 100 table games, multiple entertainment venues and at least 11 restaurants.
Beyond gaming, the Catawba Nation is also seeking formal recognition by the State of North Carolina, having already submitted all required documentation and complied with the standards of the North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs. State recognition would grant the tribe access to government programmes, eligibility for grants and a formal government-to-government relationship. The tribe also plans to open a satellite administrative office in North Carolina to support its growing citizen population in the state.
However, Harris’s message carried a sharper tone when addressing developments in South Carolina, where lawmakers are considering legislation that could authorise a commercial casino along the I-95 corridor. The Catawba Nation, the only federally recognised tribe in the state, argues that it was previously promised preferential treatment should casino gaming ever be legalised. Harris warned that if that assurance is not honoured, the tribe is prepared to pursue federal litigation to block any casino development.
The issue is complicated by a 1993 settlement agreement that subjected the Catawba to South Carolina gaming laws, effectively barring them from operating casinos in their home state. Meanwhile, other interests are emerging. The Santee Development Corporation has expressed interest in the same corridor, and the newly federally recognised Lumbee Tribe has acquired land near the border with the stated intention of exploring a future casino resort.
With multiple stakeholders now positioning for potential licences, the Catawba Nation’s expansion in North Carolina and its readiness to defend its perceived rights in South Carolina underline how competitive and politically sensitive casino development in the region is becoming.
