"Expansion of gambling at Harrah's Cherokee Casino should be of concern to outsiders only inasmuch as it affects natural resources beyond tribal boundaries.

The casino, opened in 1997, has been an enormous economic engine for the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians. It generates $155 million in profits a year, half of which goes to individual tribal members. The other half finances educational, health and cultural resources on the Qualla Boundary.

The Cherokee want to make the casino's impact even greater, and protect it from competition, by allowing Las Vegas-style table games, which currently are not allowed under the compact between the state and the tribe.

As long as the tribe demonstrates it is doing what it can to protect resources near the Qualla Boundary, the governor should approve the expansion."

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If natural resources aren't harmed, gaming expansion a matter for Cherokee only (The Asheville Citizen-Times 6/24)