Eastern Cherokees plan to open new casino in about a year


Artist's rendering of the Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel in North Carolina. Photo from Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina will open a new Class III facility in early 2015.

The tribe broke ground on the $110 million Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel last October. There were plans for a temporary facility but the tribe is going to finish it all instead before opening the doors to the public.

The facility will feature a 108,000 square-foot gaming floor with enough space for somewhere between 1,100 and 1,200 slot machines and between 50 and 75 table games. There will also be a 300-room hotel.

The tribe expects to see $100 million in profits in the first year of operations. But the tribe is also expecting the Harrah’s Cherokee Casino and Resort will take a $48 million loss due to competition from the new facility.

Get the Story:
First-year estimates show $100 million in profits at Valley River, $50 million in losses at Cherokee (Carolina Public Press 4/28)

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