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Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort

Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee, NC is one of three land-based casinos in the state. This page highlights the gambling options available at the casino and provides a brief history of the operation.

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Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee, NC is one of three casinos in the state, joining Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River in Murphy and Catawba Two Kings Casino in Kings Mountain. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (ECBI) owns the property while Caesars Entertainment staffs the operation.

On this page, we’ll review the types of gambling available at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort. We will also provide a history of the casino and list the contact information for visitors.

About Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in North Carolina

Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort was the first of North Carolina’s three active casinos to open. It first welcomed guests in 1997 as a Class III gaming facility.

At the time it opened, gamblers who were at least 18 years of age could bet at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort. However, in 2001, the ECBI reached an agreement with the State of North Carolina to raise the betting age to 21, a restriction that is still in place today.

Alcohol sales are permitted at the casino, though due to state law, you cannot buy alcohol before 10:00 AM on Sundays. The law previously made alcohol sales illegal before noon on Sunday.

In 2012, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino first offered live table games to its patrons, as this was previously prohibited under NC law. This addition led to the creation of more than 500 new jobs.

Does Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort have sports betting?

Yes, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort has NC sports betting. Patrons can make their sports wagers through Caesars Sportsbook, as Caesars operates the casino.

The sportsbook area is called “The Book,” and it is located on the first floor of the casino next to the poker room. The area features a staffed ticket window as well as self-serve kiosks.

Inside The Book, you’ll find a 90-foot video wall to watch the games on which you’ve wagered. There are also three private fan caves which can be reserved in advance of your visit.

The partnership between Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort and Caesars Sportsbook

As mentioned above, Caesars Entertainment operates Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, creating a natural relationship with the Caesars NC sportsbook product, too. This also allowed North Carolinians to participate in sports wagering before the state allowed online sports gambling.

North Carolina launched online sports betting in March 2024. As a result, if you’re staying at the resort, you’ll be able to place a wager from your room or at one of the bars or restaurants through the Caesars Sportsbook mobile app.

More kinds of gambling at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort

Here is a full list of the kinds of gambling you can participate in while visiting Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort.

  • Sports betting
  • Video poker
  • Blackjack
  • Craps
  • Roulette
  • Three-card poker
  • High card flush
  • Texas Hold’em
  • Video slots, including penny slots, high-stakes reels, and progressive jackpots

History of Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort

Here is a timeline of the history of Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort.

  • 1997: Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort opens in Cherokee, NC
  • 2002: Harrah’s Cherokee undergoes its first major renovation, adding more than 22,000 square feet of gaming space and a 252-room hotel.
  • 2005: Harrah’s Cherokee completes a second renovation. This time, it was the installation of a 15-story tower that added roughly 320 more rooms to the hotel.
  • 2009: North Carolina voters approve alcohol sales at Harrah’s Cherokee.
  • 2012: Harrah’s Cherokee begins offering live table games, creating roughly 500 new jobs in the process.
  • 2013: Harrah’s Cherokee completes a third renovation, adding yet another tower to the venue while also doubling the gaming space to nearly 150,000 square feet. The renovation efforts cost $650 million.
  • 2021: More casino and hotel renovations bring many new dining options, a pool, fitness center, convention center ballroom, and open-air lobby to Harrah’s Cherokee. This renovation also added a sports betting area and 34-table poker room.

Contact & opening hours


Address: 777 Casino Dr, Cherokee, NC 28719
Opening hours: Open 24/7
Website: https://www.caesars.com/harrahs-cherokee
E-mail address: Email form available on the casino website
Phone number: (828) 497-7777