Harrah's Cherokee

Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort
Company type	Tribal casino and hotel resort
Industry	Gambling, hospitality
Founded	November 13, 1997; 28 years ago in Cherokee, North Carolina, United States
Headquarters	Cherokee, United States
Products	Casino gaming, hotel accommodations, dining, entertainment, convention facilities
Owner	Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
Number of employees	Nearly 500 (as of 2012 expansion)
Parent	Caesars Entertainment (operator)
Website	www.harrahscherokee.com

Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort is a combined casino and hotel facility situated within the Qualla Boundary in Cherokee, North Carolina. It is owned by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and operated under Caesars Entertainment. The resort occupies the location formerly used by the Frontier Land theme park.

History

Following an agreement in 1994 between North Carolina and the EBCI to permit Class III gaming, Harrah's Cherokee Casino commenced operations on November 13, 1997. Under the management of Harrah's Entertainment, it featured round-the-clock video poker and gaming machines accessible to guests aged 18 and above. Positioned as the nearest gambling venue to metropolitan areas such as Atlanta, Charlotte, and the Research Triangle, it rapidly established itself as a dominant player in the market. The casino played a vital role in elevating local living conditions by financing new educational facilities, a hospital, public housing projects, and improved safety services. Additionally, a share of its earnings is distributed directly to EBCI members. In 2001, the minimum legal gambling age was increased from 18 to 21.

The initial expansion in 2002 increased gaming floor space by 22,025 square feet, added 31,000 square feet dedicated to conventions, and introduced a hotel with 252 rooms. A subsequent expansion in 2005 brought a 15-story tower containing approximately 320 rooms.

In 2009, voters approved alcohol sales; however, regulatory delays postponed the availability of alcoholic beverages on the gaming floor until December of that year. Legislation passed in 2020 permitted alcohol sales to start at 10 a.m. on Sundays rather than at noon.

On August 21, 2012, live table games were launched following an amendment to the compact with North Carolina, creating nearly 500 new employment opportunities.

Between 2009 and 2013, a $650 million development project resulted in a third tower rising 21 stories with about 532 rooms and five suites while nearly doubling gaming space to over 150,000 square feet. A new events center seating 3,000 opened in 2010 for concerts and trade shows. Additional facilities included a full-service spa covering 16,000 square feet (opened in 2012), alongside new retail shops and dining venues such as Ruth's Chris Steak House and a buffet accommodating 600 guests. Paula Deen's Kitchen was subsequently renamed after Caesars Entertainment ended its partnership due to controversy.

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted closure on March 18, 2020; partial reopening occurred on May 18. By August 2021, entry required proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result.

The fourth renovation phase (2018–2021), valued at $250 million, introduced a fourth tower standing 19 stories tall with approximately 725 rooms and seven suites; an 83,000-square-foot convention center featuring a ballroom; an open-air lobby spanning two stories; a terrace pool; fitness facilities; and new dining establishments including Wicked Weed Brewpub and Guy Fieri’s Cherokee Kitchen + Bar. This expansion also incorporated two fresh gaming sections: the World Series of Poker Room with 34 tables and The Book sportsbook equipped with a 90-foot video display wall. In December 2021, celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay announced plans to open his inaugural Gordon Ramsay Food Market at the resort in early 2022. That same month, legislation enacted by the EBCI designated Harrah's Cherokee as predominantly non-smoking.

Frontier Land

Prior to Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort, the property was occupied by Frontier Land, a western-themed amusement park that operated from 1964 until its closure in 1982. Developed by R.B. Coburn—who also created Ghost Town in the Sky—and designed by former Disney designer Russell Pearson (noted for Frontier City and Silver Dollar City), this expansive park covered approximately 140 acres. Attractions included a steam-powered train and gondola connecting three principal zones: Indian Territory; Fort Cherokee—a replica frontier stockade; and Deadwood Gulch—a western town styled after the 1860s. Due to dwindling visitor numbers, it was rebranded during the mid-1980s as Water World, adopting a western water park theme before shutting down permanently in 1986. The site remained dormant until redevelopment efforts began in the mid-1990s.

Hotel

Harrah's Cherokee consists of four distinct hotel towers—Creek Tower, Soco Tower, Mountain Tower, and Cherokee Tower—offering a combined total of 1,833 guest rooms. This makes it the largest hotel facility within the state of North Carolina.

Casino

Because the tribe’s compact with North Carolina limits the types of permitted gaming, many casino games incorporate skill elements. For instance, numerous video slot machines enable players to lock reels after an initial spin to enhance their chances of winning, differing from conventional slots that spin only once per play. This skill-based feature sets Harrah's Cherokee apart from other gaming establishments.

The casino has shifted a significant number of slot machines to "Cherokee Raffle Reels," which require players to activate their Total Rewards slot card prior to play. This raffle mechanism functions as a legally required secondary opportunity to win, allowing the replacement of many lock-and-roll machines with standard video and reel slots.

In November 2011, the tribe reached an accord with North Carolina permitting live card games at Harrah's Cherokee. These live table games debuted in 2012 and expanded to over 100 tables by mid-2014. The casino regularly conducts daily no-limit hold'em tournaments alongside larger weekend deep stack competitions. Additionally, it frequently hosts World Series of Poker circuit events in its Events Center, featuring a variety of tournaments and cash game options.

Amenities

The Harrah's Cherokee property includes a 15,000-square-foot conference center, an events center seating 3,000 guests, a sportsbook, a fitness facility, a lobby café, and a food court offering several dining choices.

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