Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Wants Actual Playing Cards

For some time, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino in North Carolina has enjoyed life as the only major casino in a multi-state region, but with competitors moving into other southern states, Harrah’s Cherokee sees the need to add new attractions to keep the customers coming. One such attraction is poker, which Harrah’s Cherokee does not currently offer. The problem: there is not a card to be found at the casino.

That’s right. You will not find a single deck of playing cards on the casino floor at Cherokee. And without cards, opening a poker room becomes a bit complicated. To clarify, the Cherokee tribe was given authority by federal law to operate a casino. But, the law also stipulates that there must be a deal in place between the state and the tribe regarding which games are allowed. This deal ended up restricting all games to be of the video variety, which means all cards are computer-generated.

This has worked for several years, but with increased competition, Harrah’s Cherokee feels the pressure to add poker to its menu. The casino has recently begun advertising “live” blackjack, where the play is the same as normal blackjack at any other casino, with the one difference being that the cards are computerized. Doing this with poker would probably prove more difficult, though. Thus, the need for the state to allow real cards to be used at Harrah’s Cherokee, a change that might not come very easily, considering the strict gaming laws in North Carolina.

Michell Hicks, principal chief of the eastern band of Cherokee Indians, remains optimistic.

“You know, I respect the opinions anyone has as far as gaming," Hicks said. "I truly respect that. I think as long as the tribe utilizes and shares its resources in a manner that helps the region, and we don't pigeon hole, so to speak, our resources, I believe people will be more understanding and more acceptable.”

Hicks continued, “We're not greedy people. We are people who realize we have issues and we want to use the resources to help maintain and to help improve the living standards of our people. That's our goal.”

The Governor’s legal counsel is scheduled to discuss the issue with the Cherokees this week.

Originally published May 24, 2005