Catawba Two Kings Casino Becomes Official Sponsor of NFL’s Carolina Panthers

Let's start the turf battles amongst North Carolina's indigenous casinos.

The Catawba Indian Nation jumped at the chance to become a “Official Sponsor” of the Charlotte-based NFL team after the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ sponsorship of the Carolina Panthers through Harrah’s Cherokee Casinos ended last year.  Although the five-year agreement ended in 2024, Harrah's Cherokee Casinos officially backed the NFC team in October 2019.

Near collaboration with New York-based gaming and hospitality behemoth Delaware North, the Catawba, which has run a temporary casino within a modular building since July 2021, is still building its permanent casino resort near Kings Mountain.  The $1 billion Two Kings Casino Resort project will open in March 2026. It is situated along Interstate 85, about 35 miles from downtown Charlotte, where the Panthers play their home games at Bank of America Stadium.

With immediate effect, today's announcement names Catawba Two Kings Casino as a Carolina Panthers partner.  The tribal casino will be able to market and promote at Bank of America Stadium thanks to the multiyear agreement.  Additionally, the casino will give away tickets for lower-level seats and invite its most devoted Lucky North Rewards members to its 20-person stadium suite.

FanDuel and Two Kings are now the Panthers' two active gaming sponsors.

Phases of the Resort

The Catawba Indian Nation got Delaware North on board to assist realize its tribal casino goals after a contentious and expensive breakup with its previous development partner.  Construction of the permanent resort destination started in June 2024, following years of legal delays.

When the Two Kings Casino Resort's first phase opens in the spring of next year, it will have a casino floor with 1,350 slot machines, 20 table games with live dealers, a restaurant with 40 seats, a bar, sports betting kiosks, and a rewards center.

The gaming area will be further expanded to accommodate 4,300 slots and 100 tables during the second and final stage of development, which is scheduled to open in 2027.  Along with a 2,700-space parking garage beneath the property, there will be 11 restaurants and bars in addition to a 24-story, 385-room hotel.

The collaboration with the Carolina Panthers will enable the Two Kings Casino Resort to reach a larger audience, according to Trent Troxel, vice president of the Catawba Gaming Authority.

Wars on Turf

There will be three tribal casinos in North Carolina after Two Kings launches the first phase of their permanent casino in the spring.  The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians controlled all casino gaming in Tar Heel State until the Catawba Indian Nation and state officials reached a Class III gaming compact in 2021.

Because the Catawba Indian Nation is headquartered in Rock Hill, York County, which is located just south of the Carolina border, it has federal recognition in South Carolina.  But in order for land in the North Carolina town to be recognized as sovereign and placed in the federal trust, the Catawba people must have historical ties to Kings Mountain.

The Catawba Indian Nation looked north for a route to economic independence because South Carolina banned Class III tribal casino gaming.   The Harrah's Cherokee and Harrah's Cherokee Valley sites near Murphy, which are just a little over 100 miles west of Two Kings, are likely to be protected by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, one of the richest tribes in the eastern side of the nation.