According to developers of the Catawba Nation Casino, the projected opening of Spring 2026 is still on the table. This comes roughly a year after the multi-million dollar project was first launched and will be very encouraging to potential customers.
In the last few years, we’ve seen the sheer demand for casino services, whether in-person or online. A look at the online space shows that modern casino users prioritize convenience and comfort. Still, many want the feel of a real-life casino, which means that live games have thrived in these online spaces. As an article from Alex Hoffmann explains, games with a live dealer being live-streamed to online sites have become very popular, showing that the classic casino experience is still appealing.
This means, thankfully, that the casino’s developers can expect a healthy flow of traffic once they open their doors. This project has been especially ambitious, and it is expected to not only reinvigorate the entertainment sector in the state but also financially benefit the tribe.
The phase of the project that will open next year will be extremely expensive. Specifically, it will feature an on-site bar and restaurant, options for sports betting, as well as 1,300 slot machines and 22 table games. This means that no matter what a consumer’s gambling tastes are, they will find something to suit them. The year after, an expanded location will roll out that will replace the current temporary structure and give North Carolina residents a permanent fixture for their gambling needs.
It’s worth noting that gambling operations offer a myriad of benefits to the communities they exist in. Of course, there is the entertainment and leisure aspect, but it goes beyond this. Specifically, these casinos have been known to generate billions of dollars in revenue, and a significant chunk of this goes to the State taxes.
These taxes, in turn, can be used to develop public infrastructure such as schools, roads, emergency services, and much more. They also tend to employ locals, thus addressing issues of unemployment.
These locals then go on to not only pay tax on their own income but also spend with other local businesses, thus stimulating the economy. The Catawba Nation Casino Project has already employed 490 workers, and about 2000 are expected to receive employment by 2027.
These sorts of benefits are especially important to many Native American tribes as they offer access to services that many feel shut out from. Catawba Nation Chief Brian Harris has touched on the matter, saying that the casino will help with housing and medical care for Tribe members.
It will be interesting to see, once this casino is open, what its usage rates will be compared to online versions. The popularity of live casino games shows that the in-person casino experience is still appealing, though convenience is still a factor. Once it is fully rolled out, North Carolina residents will be able to choose whichever they find the most enjoyable.