Nearly 3.5 million people visit the casino owned by the Eastern Band of Cherokees, making it one of the most popular tourist attractions in North Carolina.

The only federally-recognized tribe in the state got into the gaming business in 1996. The casino has since created nearly 1,800 jobs, boosted the local economy and provided money for tribal services. Tribal members also get a per capita payment of about $6,000 every year

The tribe is seeking to expand games at the casino to include poker.

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Legal gambling makes Cherokees a big winner (The New Bern Sun Journal 2/8)