Cherokee Approve Massive Casino Expansion

With the official blessing of the Cherokee Tribal Council, Harrah’s will proceed with the proposed expansions on the Cherokee casino in the Western North Carolina reservation territory.  The project will not be cheap at an estimated cost of $254 million, but it will carry its own payoffs. 

The casino, which now employs roughly 1,770 people, will create 1,200 new job opportunities after expansions are complete.

The expansion to the casino does not come out of any direct threat to the already successful casino.  According to Ray Rose, vice president of Harrah’s Cherokee, “Business has been good, but gaming is very competitive, very capital-intensive, very dynamic.  This is about maintaining our competitive advantage and positioning the business for longtime success.”  Rose and Harrah’s clearly have goals for the casino, one of which is turning it into a “destination resort.”

Rose says the Cherokee Tribal Council will receive full and detailed construction plans from Harrah within six month.  The Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise Board chair, Norma Moss, already sees great possibility in the project.  “The potential for growth at Harrah’s Cherokee as an employer, contributor to the local economy, and a business asset for the Eastern Band is tremendous,” said Moss.  

Harrah’s only manages the Cherokee casino.  The actual owners are the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.  The casino rakes in about $155 million each year for the tribe. 

In the midst of all the great plans, the tribe has been locked in negotiations with Governor Mike Easley since April.  They want the ability to provide live card games like blackjack and poker.  They can currently only provide video gambling machines and digital blackjack with live dealers.  According to the tribe, live card games would create at least 400 more jobs. 

Plans for the casino’s expansion include increasing the casino entertainment space with a 3,000 seat showroom.  Last year the 324-room Soco Tower, increased the hotel space to 574 rooms.  New plans include a third 200-room tower.  “We certainly know that there is demand,” said Rose.     

Of course the accommodations for more guests will also require a new 1,000-car parking deck.

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