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Eastern Band working to bring live dealers to Harrah’s Cherokee Casino
By Derek Hodges
Visitors to Harrah’s Cherokee Casino may soon have new gaming options if the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is successful in renegotiating the tribe’s gaming compact with the state.
According to a letter dated Feb. 3, 2005, and sent to Gov. Mike Easley from Principal Chief Michell Hicks, officials with the Eastern Band sent a request for a renegotiation of the compact to the governor in the spring of 2003. Talks on the issue were delayed because of tribal and state elections, Hicks said.
“We are hopeful that we can get back on track with this request and complete this in a reasonable time frame,” Hicks said.
While Hicks doesn’t define what he considers a “reasonable time frame,” in a March 8, 2005, letter he said he hopes negotiations can be completed “within the next four months.” That would mean a resolution by early July.
The changes in the compact would allow the tribe “additional marketing flexibility that will help us grow our business and expand the employment and economic opportunities we currently offer to the region,” Hicks wrote. The casino and its adjoining hotel are the largest private employer in North Carolina west of Asheville. It’s also one of the largest tourist attractions in North Carolina, drawing 3.5 million visitors last year. While other tourism-related businesses have seen a decline in visits in recent years, Harrah’s actually reported a slight increase for the Memorial Day weekend, according to Lynn Harlan, a Harrah’s spokesperson.
Speaking to The Herald on Thursday, May 26, Hicks refused to speculate as to whether he felt the talks would conclude by July.
“We’ve had some preliminary discussions, but I’m not sure how long the negotiations will take,” Hicks said.
Those discussions include a May 24 meeting between tribal and state officials Hicks said.
Included in the tribe’s request are:
• Live poker, blackjack, craps and roulette. Currently the casino offers electronic versions of each of these games, except roulette.
• Offering “markers,” or lines of credit, to gamers.
• Allowing for more than one gaming facility on tribal lands.
• Working with other tribes to offer prizes as part of joint contests.
• Making the compact in effect “in perpetuity,” rather than the 30 years it is currently effective.
• Allowing electronic raffles.
A spokesperson in the governor’s press office said some issues would require investigation because of a federal provision. According to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, passed by the U.S. Congress in 1988, tribes may operate games that are not prohibited inside their home state. Live gaming is currently prohibited in North Carolina, as are electronic raffles.
The governor’s spokesman said she was unsure if the requested changes would require an amendment to current state law, which would have to be made by the General Assembly.
“It is our viewpoint that the governor has the authority to make those changes,” Hicks said.
According to Harlan, the facility currently operates more than 3,400 electronic gaming devices. Each of those are considered games of skill that require a player’s interaction; games of chance (such as traditional slot machines) are illegal in North Carolina, Harlan said.
Tribal officials hope the talks will result in further profits for the casino and, in turn, the tribe.
The tribe’s cut of the casino’s profits is just under $120 million annually. That amount is divided, with half going to tribal operations and half going to per capita checks to enrolled members of the Eastern Band. In the first of two check distributions for 2005, members received $3,800 on Wednesday, June 1.
“We want to offer the product the market wants so we can keep up with our competition and continue the solid growth of that operation,” Hicks said.
While the governor has not publicly expressed any opinion, Hicks said he feels good about the negotiations.
“I think things look promising,” Hicks said.
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