Harrah's Cherokee Sports Betting
Harrah’s operates casinos on Cherokee tribal lands in Murphy, near the Tennessee border, and in Cherokee, just west of Asheville. The newly adopted state law restricts wagering on sports.
That’s because the governor’s signature on Senate Bill 154 proved not to be the final legal hurdle between the tribe and legalized sports betting. The tribe’s gaming compact with the state must also be amended to reflect the new offering.
In a statement emailed to The Smoky Mountain News, Principal Chief Richard Sneed said that after the bill’s ratification the tribe immediately began working with Cooper’s office on a gaming compact amendment and delivered a proposed amendment on Oct. 14, 2019. Cooper has 180 days from the date of delivery to approve or reject the compact, meaning that he must take action by mid-April.
- If you want to make a legal wager in North Carolina, the two casinos jointly run by Harrah’s and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in the towns of Cherokee and Murphy offer the sum of your options.
- Best Way To Where To Order Sports Betting At Harrah's Cherokee Risks,Who Sells The Best Where To Order Sports Betting At Harrah's Cherokee Worth It.
“Conversations have since been had between the EBCI and the Governor’s Office regarding specifics of the agreement,” said Sneed. “While the EBCI has been assured the Compact will be approved, the Governor’s Office is completing their due diligence to ensure compliance within the legal framework established.”
Once the tribe and the governor finalize the amendment, it goes to the U.S. Secretary of the Interior, who has 45 days to approve or disapprove it.
There’s also a possibility that action would be required from the National Indian Gaming Commission, which gets involved on the casino management contract side. Michael Hoenig, general counsel for the Commission, said that while he couldn’t speak definitively to this particular situation he could say that, in general, adding a game may or may not require a contract amendment. However, it generally would not require the agency to undertake the same process required for new management contracts.
“There’s just a lot of moving parts, but when you’re just talking about an amendment typically the things that take the most time have already been done,” he said.
Different states have legalized sports betting in different capacities following a May 2018 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that said the federal government can’t prohibit states from allowing it — instead, the ruling said, it’s up to each individual state to decide how to handle sports betting within its jurisdiction. North Carolina lawmakers saw the Eastern Band as a prime candidate to manage the industry in North Carolina, and legislation permitting sports betting on Cherokee land passed overwhelmingly, with a vote of 90-7 in the Senate and 90-27 in the House.
Harrah’s plans to open an area to be called The Book at both its Cherokee and Murphy casinos once the red tape is cut. Guests would be able to wager on collegiate and professional sports, as well as off-track horse racing. The Book would offer food and beverage service, a variety of seating options and large-screen TVs for patrons to watch the games they’re betting on.
Sports wagering is expected to bring in an additional $14 million in casino revenue, accounting for 3 to 5 percent of total casino revenue. The state expects to gain $1 to $1.5 million each year in taxes.
North Carolina tribal casinos may soon offer sports betting and off-track horse race wagering.
Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel plan to integrate brick-and-mortar sportsbooks by early 2021.
The properties will name both sportsbooks The Book.
Harrah’s Casinos pave the way for North Carolina sports betting
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper set a tribal-state gaming compact amendment in motion with an agreement made last week.
The emergency resolution permits sports and off-track horse race wagering in two casinos operated by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI). EBCI Principal Chief Richard G.Sneed originally submitted the resolution.
EBCI’s Tribal Council concluded its regular session on Thursday, Dec. 3 by unanimously approving the amendment.
Gov. Cooper will now receive the compact for signature. The US Dept. of the Interior receives it next for a 45-day comment period and approval.
Once rubber stamped, The Book will be cleared for action in both Harrah’s locations.
The state of North Carolina will regulate these sportsbooks.
The Book gears up for early 2021 launch
Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise attorney Ann Davis is optimistic for a launch by the end of January. However, she notes administrative changes and ongoing COVID-19 regulations as realistic timeframe inhibitors.
Since the pandemic’s onset, casino operations have diminished drastically. The ECBI tribe sees these additional wagering options as an integral source of income.
Chief Sneed said,
“We are excited to immediately begin implementing sports betting at our gaming properties. COVID-19 has negatively impacted funding for critical community services within our Nation, so we welcome this new diverse revenue stream. The addition of these new services is a positive step towards a more stable and secure future for our Tribal members and government operations.”
Currently, the two Harrah’s locations are the only casinos operating in North Carolina.
Legislators recently approved plans for an additional casino. The Catawba Indian Nation will operate Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort.
As the state’s only federally-recognized tribe, the ECBI staunchly opposes the new project. The introduction of a competitor will put its long-established state dominion in jeopardy and further reduce casino capital.
North Carolina’s sports betting future
Casinos have legally operated in North Carolina since January 1995, when the state’s first interim casino opened.
It wasn’t until July 2019 that a bill was set in motion to legalize sports betting and horse race wagering within North Carolina tribal casinos.
Online betting, on the other hand, is still restricted to daily fantasy sports and lottery games.
Harrah's Cherokee Sports Book
If North Carolina’s first attempt at sports betting is successful, the state could sanction further expansion efforts.
A study of sports wagering, approved by the North Carolina legislature in 2019, was recently conducted by Spectrum Gaming. The subsequent report recommended that the North Carolina Lottery establish and operate online wagering and brick-and-mortar sports betting locations itself.
In general, states with lottery-operated sports betting markets generate significantly less handle than states with multiple operators.
For instance, the DC Lottery, which operates in conjunction with a single sportsbook, reported$1.2 million in total handle in the first two months after launch.
Harrahs Sports Bet
On the other hand, the Tennessee Education Lottery regulates multiple Tennessee sportsbooks, and bettors in the state wagered $27 million during the first week alone.
The Book at Harrah’s will offer an initial glimpse at the desire for sports betting in North Carolina.