Harrah’s Cherokee casino in North Carolina could add table games

An Indian casino operated by Caesars Entertainment Corp. in North Carolina will soon have live table games under an agreement struck this week between the tribe and the state’s governor.

In exchange for allowing table games, Harrah’s Cherokee in western North Carolina will pay an additional 4 percent in gaming taxes for the first five years of the deal and increasing to 8 percent over the last five years.

The additional funds will go to the state’s school system.

North Carolina lawmakers must still approve the deal.

Principal Chief Michell Hicks of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians told the Ashville Citizen-Times the deal has been in the works for eight years. He said it would be an economic benefit to both the tribe and the state.

“It’s definitely a burden lifted,” he said. “It’s just been sitting there for a long time, so it feels (to) great know we have finally pushed the ball to a new level.”

Harrah’s Cherokee currently offers slot machines and electronic table games. The casino may need to hire up to more than 400 card dealers.