This is in NC and I do not live too far off for a quick trip up north but I have still never been. I know across the country they always have good reviews but if anyone has been here I would love to get some feedback. I do not mind making the trip (more than 4+ hours) but I want to plan accordingly as well to make sure its not going to be out of my price range.

Never been here, but I thought I’d add some information from my favorite guidebook.

Harrah’s Cherokee Casino is currently the only casino in North Carolina. Due to a legal pact the tribe signed with the state, the casino is only allowed to offer games of skill with returns ranging from 83-98%. No table games are offered at the Cherokee Casino (not considered skill games) - you will fine video slots, video poker, and digital versions of craps, blackjack and baccarat. Since these games are required to be games of skill, there are some minor variances in games compared to traditional machines you may find in Vegas or elsewhere around the world.

Harrah’s Cherokee
777 Casino Drive
Cherokee, North Carolina
(828)497-7777

Rooms: 555
Price Range: $129-$199
Restaurants: 5
Liquor: No
Misc: 1,500 Seat Entertainment Pavilion
Open 24 hours a day, min age: 21

Hope that helps!
-Jacob

Table games take more skill than video games, don’t they?  Well, maybe not roulette or craps but poker and blackjack are certainly more skill-based.  How are they able to offer slots when the only skill for that is the physical ability to drop in a coin or token and pull the handle?

A buddy of mine went there last summer. It was a decent little drive for him but he and his wife stayed overnight. I think they booked their trip through one of the discount travel sites; expedia or orbitz or something. He said it was a nice place and he’d go back again if they have a chance. His wife (like mine) loves slots and there’s were plenty of them.

pokerbabe - 06 January 2009 08:05 AM

Table games take more skill than video games, don’t they?  Well, maybe not roulette or craps but poker and blackjack are certainly more skill-based.  How are they able to offer slots when the only skill for that is the physical ability to drop in a coin or token and pull the handle?

On their machines you get to spin twice each time you play. Spin once, then you have an opportunity to keep 1, 2, or all 3 symbols before spinning again.

I get aggravated when a state won’t allow table games in the casino’s because they say the table games aren’t games of skill. To me, it sounds completely hypocritical to say there can only be certain types of gambling and that they determine what is a skillful game and what isn’t. To be bluntly honest, is there one state or interstate lottery that is considered skillful and not dumb luck? Because if the states were only going to allow skillful gambling, then the lotteries should be pushed aside.

I’m actually quite surprised that there isn’t a gaming company trying to sue one of these states to define what a “skillful” game is or isn’t or how a lottery held by the state is legal, but a table game is not. I guess you can call me naive on this one.

http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009901130316

CHEROKEE – Harrah’s Cherokee Casino and Hotel is facing job cuts for the first time in its 11-year history, company officials said Monday. The casino will reduce its work force this year by 5 percent, or about 100 jobs. ... Harrah’s Cherokee will continue with a $633 million expansion that will double its floor space. Casino officials last fall said a low-interest-rate loan and the availability of inexpensive labor made moving ahead with the expansion a good idea despite the recession.

Just came across this article, no real surprise with casino revenues down all across the country.

It also sounds like they have a pretty big expansion in the works. I would love to hear more about that if anyone has the scoop.

Tons of places are cutting jobs left and right so it was only a matter of time before it started with the casinos. When you break down how much they really make and then think about what they are losing well they held out longer than some places (like the auto industry)  but not long enough I guess.