"Been to the Harrah’s Cherokee Casino? Even if you don’t gamble, I’d encourage a walk through. My bet is you’d be absolutely astounded at what is happening in Cherokee.

I took a media tour a couple of weeks ago and, honestly, couldn’t believe what I saw. The reality that there is something that huge, that glitzy and that busy juxtaposed so near secluded mountains, vast wilderness areas and all of our very quaint, very small downtowns at first take seems a little odd.

What’s not odd, though, is how Harrah’s has changed the fortunes of the tribe — and the region — for the better. In fact, as this recession lingers, it’s painful to imagine how Cherokee, Swain and Jackson counties would be faring without the casino revenue.

The casino, in what is admittedly an understatement, has blossomed. It now employs more than 2,000, and that will go up to 2,400 once the current expansion project is done. It attracts about 3.6 million gamers annually, making it the state’s largest tourist attraction."

Get the Story:
Scott McLeod: It’s time to approve dealers at Harrah’s casino (The Smoky Mountain News 9/8)

Also Today:
Cherokee gambling agreement might not get vote (The Asheville Citizen-Times 9/8)
Extortion or fair share? State wants cut of casino revenue in exchange for live dealer (The Smoky Mountain News 9/8)
High stakes casino expansion tests the theory: If we build it, will they come? (The Smoky Mountain News 9/8)
Men at work: Behind the veil of Harrah’s $633 million expansion (The Smoky Mountain News 9/8)
Hello Bellagio, meet Cherokee (The Smoky Mountain News 9/8)

Related Stories:
Key lawmaker predicts no vote on Eastern Cherokee compact (9/7)
Editorial: Proceed with caution on Eastern Cherokee compact (9/7)
Per capita payments at Eastern Cherokee casino fell 21 percent (9/6)
Eastern Cherokees preparing for action on live dealers at casino (8/25)
Lawmakers predict passage of Eastern Cherokee gaming compact (8/16)