The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is making progress on its Class III gaming compact, The Smoky Mountain News reports.

The deal allows the tribe to add live card dealers to the Harrah’s Cherokee Casino and Resort. In exchange, the tribe will share a percentage of revenues -- ranging from 4 percent to 8 percent -- with the state over the next 30 years.

The revenues were initially slated to go toward public schools. But the tribe and Gov. Bev Perdue (D) have given into demands from Republican lawmakers who want the money to go into the state's general fund.

Get the Story:
Logjam broken on live dealers for Cherokee, but not a done deal yet (The Smoky Mountain News 5/9)

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