Nestled in the picturesque embrace of the Great Smoky Mountains, Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River is quietly crafting its future—one flush with excitement and the sultry sounds of fortune. Since its inception in 2015, this haven of high stakes and higher hopes has acted as a glamorous sibling to the beloved Harrah’s Cherokee, some 40 miles to its southeast. As the clattering of jackpots and shuffle of cards continue unabated, a narrative of growth emerges; the casino is amidst an awe-inspiring transformation, a $275 million expansion project that promises to extend its allure and its legacy.
The clamor and clang of construction herald the coming of an enhanced casino floor that seems to promise endless nights of vibrant game-play. When tribal officials speak of the resort’s progress, their words are laced with a palpable excitement—as one might expect from keepers of a burgeoning gaming empire. Lumpy Lambert, the General Manager with a name as memorable as his vision is clear, confirms that the new casino space is on schedule to make its debut in the heart of 2024, followed closely by the unfurling of a luxurious hotel later that same year.
Future patrons of Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River can anticipate the magnetic pull of 400 additional slot machines, drawing them in with their bright lights and tantalizing promises. Twelve new table games lay in wait, eager to tempt with the turn of a card, while a dedicated World Series of Poker room stands ready to host titanic battles of wit and nerve alike. And should one feel the call of relaxation amidst the electric thrill of the casino, a stunning casino bar with 14 tabletop positions proposes a charming respite.
A tour de force of leisure awaits beyond the clinking chips and flashing screens; the expansion includes the rise of a towering hotel edifice graced with close to 300 guest rooms. This new sanctuary will feature an indoor pool and fitness center, providing a perfect counterbalance to nights spent gaming. A sprawling 1,700-space parking garage ensures a seamless arrival, while the indulgence of a full-service spa and salon completes the tableau of escape and serenity.
For the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), this expansion is more than a mere extension of amenities; it serves as a siren call to the larger region, beckoning guests from neighboring Georgia and Tennessee where casinos are yet a dream. Lambert candidly acknowledges that this growth isn’t just anticipated—it was an essential part of their strategic vision from day one. He looks forward to broadening the market sphere and strengthening the tribal economy, with 100 permanent positions set to emerge and the tribe’s coffers expected to swell with newfound revenues.
Yet, the tribal monopoly on casino operations in North Carolina stands at a curious juncture. State legislators in Raleigh have flirted with the notion of commercial casinos, though their efforts have thus far waned. The EBCI and the Catawba Indian Nation rest easily in their current exclusivity granted by Class III gaming compacts, even as the winds of change threaten with the advent of legalized commercial sports betting. This modern convenience, newly permitted in a vast array of venues across the state, beckons bettors to an online realm, a domain where the Tribes must tread with care, bound as they are to the lands they have sovereign over.
As Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel blossoms, projecting its grandeur into the future, it stands as a monument both to the past and to the promise of prosperity, to the timeless allure of chance, and to the ceaseless river of change ever shaping the world of gaming beneath the watchful peaks of the mighty Smokies.
