Cherokee, NC casino expansion set for fall completion

After breaking ground on a new conference center and hotel tower on June 26th, 2018, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino and Resort in western North Carolina will reportedly complete its extensive development project in the fall.

In addition to a new World Series of Poker (WSOP) Poker Room, which debuted in September 2020, and The Book sportsbook, which opened on March 18th this year, the $250 million expansion project includes a new 19-story, 725-key hotel tower, 83,000 sq ft of convention space, new food and beverage offerings, and more.

Commenting on the approaching completion, Regional Senior Vice President and General Manager for Harrah’s Cherokee Casinos, Brooks Robinson said in a recent press release that they are “thrilled” to see the project come to completion and to be able to offer their guests “new amenities and offerings.”

Unique destination:

He went on to say…

“This expansion has been an integral component to our property and community’s growth and helps us further show that Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort is truly a destination that is unlike any other in the Carolinas. We look forward to welcoming both new and returning visitors to see the results of this project.”

Resort amenities:

Located adjacent to the new convention center, what will be the resort’s fourth hotel tower will feature 725 rooms and seven suites, a two-story open-air lobby complete with a 30 ft onyx stone registration desk, and a 50-seat lobby bar and lounge.

On the second floor of the new tower is a terrace pool featuring mountain views and the fitness center. Two exclusive 800 ft hospitality suites, which include full kitchens, serve as a private entrance to the pool.

More than three times the current rentable convention space at the Cherokee, North Carolina property, the 83,000 sq ft meeting and convention, which includes a three-level expansion, features a range of meeting spaces, each of which has mountain views, to accommodate small and large gatherings. Anchored by a 32,000 sq ft ballroom with 22 meeting spaces, the Cherokee Convention Center also features a 33,000 sq ft exhibition hall, 11,100 sq ft ballroom pre-function, 6,000 sq ft exhibition hall pre-function, and a 900 sq ft board room.

WSOP Poker Room:

Adding to the expansion project, a variety of new gaming amenities and food and beverage offerings were already debuted earlier in the year, including the previously mentioned non-smoking WSOP Poker Room, which opened in September 2020 and currently has 25 tables and offers 8-handed cash games, as well as Texas Hold’em tournaments Mon – Thurs, and, of course, WSOP Satellite Events.

Sportsbook:

The Book, a partnership with Ceasars Entertainment and William Hill, which opened on March 18 this year features seven ticket-writer windows, 10 self-service betting kiosks, a 90 ft ultra-high-definition screen, comfy chairs with USB charging ports, and full beverage service.

The sportsbook’s exclusive Upper Deck offers an elevated VIP seating area while three private Fan Caves provide sports fans with access to betting stations and an 85” HDTV and two 43” 4K TVs.

Myst Bar & Wicked Weed:

Other previously debuted new venues include the Myst Bar, which opened in January 2021, and features bar and lounge seating, high-definition TVs, and a raised stage for live music while the 1,200 sq ft Wicked Weed Brewpub opened its doors in April and features a 36-seat main bar, a walk-up tasting bar and a stage for live entertainment.

An enterprise of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Harrah’s Cherokee Casinos is also responsible for sister property Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel, which is located near Murphy, North Carolina.