How about local governments? They don’t get a cut of the gambling money, but there’s a heck of a lot of property value in these casinos. There’s obviously money to be made here both for the tribes and for the state, which takes a slice of the gambling proceeds. In eastern North Carolina, the Lumbees continue to work toward federal recognition that could open the door for tribal casinos along I-95. The Catawba Indian Nation is seeking federal and state permission to build a huge casino just outside of Charlotte that would be 50% larger than Harrah’s Cherokee Resort. Other tribes may soon get in on the action. The new casino will be only about half the size of the Cherokee facility, but that still means 1,200 slot machines and 300-plus hotel rooms. Later this year, the Cherokee will open another casino on tribal land outside of Murphy, North Carolina. Operated by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the complex attracted 3 million visitors and generated over $500 million in gambling revenue in 2013. With more than 1,100 hotel rooms, 3,800 slot machines, and 150,000 square feet of gambling space, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino and Resort is one of the twenty largest casinos in the world. Gambling is a big business in North Carolina, and it’s about to get bigger.
