Published on: February 4, 2026, at 12:24h.
Updated on: February 4, 2026, at 12:25h.
- The Catawba Nation in North Carolina is set to develop a thoroughbred racetrack
- This racetrack will enhance the tribe’s upcoming Two Kings Casino Resort
- The horse racing facility is projected to open by 2030
Although the permanent Two Kings Casino Resort by the Catawba Nation has not yet launched, plans for future expansions are already underway.
The initial phase of the permanent Two Kings Casino Resort, labeled as an “introductory” casino, features an 80,000-square-foot venue equipped with 1,350 slot machines, 22 live dealer table games, and sports betting kiosks. It also includes a bar, a restaurant, a rewards desk, and 800 parking spots. This initial establishment is set to replace the modular trailers that have served the temporary Two Kings Casino since July 2021.
By 2028, the federally recognized tribe anticipates finalizing the resort destination in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, located around 35 miles west of Charlotte, accessible via Exit 5 off Interstate 85.
The completed resort is designed to feature a large casino with 4,300 slot machines, 100 table games, a sportsbook, and a 24-story hotel with 385 rooms. Additionally, plans include eleven dining establishments, an underground parking garage with 2,700 spots.
The tribe’s ambitious project also includes the establishment of a $120 million thoroughbred horse racetrack.
Horse Racing in North Carolina
In 2023, North Carolina approved parimutuel betting as part of its sports betting legislation. However, while sports betting commenced the subsequent year, parimutuel wagering on both live and simulcast horse racing has been delayed.
The original parimutuel betting law failed to attract advanced deposit wagering (ADW) companies due to the hefty $1 million licensing fee and a 1% tax on all wagers. The legislation also excluded slot-like historical horse racing (HHR) machines from being classified as permissible forms of parimutuel betting.
There’s hope among members of the North Carolina General Assembly that a revised bill will enhance the appeal of the parimutuel wagering market for operators. Meanwhile, the Catawba Nation aims to leverage its federal gaming rights to implement parimutuel betting.
Describing the racetrack as a “natural progression of our gaming initiative,” the Catawba Nation is moving forward with plans for a thoroughbred horse racetrack adjacent to the Two Kings Casino Resort. The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) classifies parimutuel wagering as a form of Class III gaming, similar to Las Vegas-style slot machines and live dealer table games.
The Catawba Nation asserts that the racetrack will “diversify” their gaming offerings while generating significant job opportunities and revenue for the tribe.
A Future Horse Racing Hub?
Parimutuel betting remains illegal in neighboring Georgia and South Carolina. This gives the Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort Racetrack, located just north of the state border, a substantial regional advantage in horse betting.
However, bettors will need to exercise patience, as the development plan indicates that the racetrack is unlikely to open before 2030.