Harrah's Cherokee

Casino infobox
casino=Harrah's Cherokee
theme=Native American
address=
logo=Harrah's logo.svg
logo_size=200px


rooms=576 rooms, 21 suites
date_opened= November 1997
space_gaming= ft²
attractions=
shows=
restaurants=Sycamores on the Creek
Selu Garden Cafe
owner=Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (management agreement with Harrah's Entertainment)
casino_type=Land-Based
renovations=currently expanding
names_pre=Cherokee Tribal Casino
website= [http://www.harrahs.com/our_casinos/che/ Harrah's Cherokee]

Harrah's Cherokee Casino is a casino located on the Qualla Boundary in Cherokee, North Carolina. The casino is owned by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and operated by Harrah's Entertainment.

Regulatory Environment

Since the tribe's compact with North Carolina restricts the types of gaming permitted, most of the games offered have significant differences with those found in casinos in Nevada, Mississippi, and most other states. All games must be computer-operated, and most require a type of skill to play. The skill requirements are not definitively defined, but have been construed to mean, any person over the age of 21, who has the ability to put money in the machines and push the buttons.

Two spins and digital tables

For most of the video slot machines, this means that after an initial spin of the reels, the player is allowed to lock selected reels in place and spin again, holding reels with valuable symbols in hopes of matching them up with winning symbols on the second spin. Traditional table games are not offered, however, the casino does have 40 tables where blackjack and baccarat are played using cards dealt by computerized video monitors built into the table surface. Video poker, which already includes a strong element of skill in its standard form, is the only game offered that does not differ from other regular casinos.

The casino now has converted many of their slot machines to "Cherokee Raffle Reels". This requires the player to utilize their Total Rewards slot card into the machine reader before they begin play. This raffle entry is considered to be the second chance to win required by law, and has allowed the casino to phase out many of the "lock-and-roll" style machines for traditional video and reel slot machines. Also, the Total Rewards Card can help the Casino develop a profile on the individual player and their gambling habits. [http://www.harrahs.com/casinos/harrahs-cherokee/casino-gambling/raffle-reels-detail.html]

No alcohol

Harrah's Cherokee is also unusual because is a "dry" casino. No alcoholic beverages are served on site. Tribal laws prohibit the sale of alcohol anywhere on the reservation. Even the mini-bars in the hotel rooms feature only soft drinks. Proposals to allow the sale of alcohol at Harrah's Cherokee have come before the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Tribal Council three times since the casino opened but all three proposals have failed to win approval. The most recent rejection came in January 2006 when a proposal for a tribal referendum to grant a variance to the casino was withdrawn by the tribal council after meeting extreme resistance from within the community. The Casino has vowed to continue to try and bring alcohol, and poker tables to the area. [ [http://www.casinocitytimes.com/news/article.cfm?contentId=155695 Harrah's Cherokee Casino Remains Dry] ]

Amenities

The Harrah's Cherokee Casino & Hotel complex includes a 597 room hotel, a 15,000-square-foot conference center, three snack bars, and three restaurants including: a buffet, a family-style restaurant and a fine-dining restaurant.

Notes

External links

* [http://www.harrahs.com/our_casinos/che/ Harrah's Cherokee Casino]