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Catawba Nation moving forward with ‘pre-launch’ gaming facility

The Catawba Nation is working to fast-track the opening of the Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort project in North Carolina by opening a “pre-launch” facility this summer with 500 slot machines. Delaware North is a consultant to the Catawba on the casino resort project.

catawba-3396527The March 26 pre-launch facility announcement followed news that the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs has approved the Catawba Nation’s Tribal-State Compact with the State of North Carolina, allowing the state to share in revenue generated by the casino. That approval means the Catawba can now conduct Class III gaming, including operating slot machines and table games.

The casino is being developed at a site in Kings Mountain in Cleveland County, about 45 minutes from downtown Charlotte. The pre-launch facility, which will be constructed using prefabricated modular structures, will provide an initial opportunity for patrons to game with limited food & beverage and other guest amenities.

“With the completion of our compact with the State of North Carolina, the Catawba Nation is eager to open the casino as quickly as possible to begin bringing economic benefits and jobs to the state and region,” Catawba Chief Bill Harris said.

catawba_logo-4211552An introductory phase of the full casino is still planned and will feature an additional 1,300 slot machines. It will be a permanent structure that will become part of the full casino. Its construction is expected to take about a year.

“It makes sense to have the temporary pre-launch facility to start, and it will continue to operate during the construction of the introductory phase and possibly subsequent phases,” said Brian Hansberry, president of Delaware North’s gaming business. “It gives us a place to teach incoming staff and accommodates people in the region who are anxious to start gaming this summer.”

The total $273 million casino resort project is expected to create 2,600 permanent jobs at full buildout and thousands of construction jobs in the region.