LV company wins Indian gaming extension

Single Sign-On: You can use Facebook account to log in to LasVegasSun.com. (We will use your first and last name from your profile.)
Trusted Commenting: Facebook connected users automatically become trusted commenters.

Wednesday, Nov. 17, 1999 | 11:04 a.m.

Harrah's Entertainment Inc. of Las Vegas said it won from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians a two-year extension of its management contract for the Harrah's Cherokee Smoky Mountains Casino in North Carolina.

The extension of the contract to November 2004 is subject to National Indian Gaming Commission approval.

"Harrah's Cherokee Smoky Mountains Casino has been very successful since its opening in November 1997," said Harrah's Entertainment Chairman and CEO Phil Satre. "We're honored to be associated with this project, and pleased with the extension of this mutually beneficial management contract. We believe that Harrah's Cherokee will continue to be an important factor in our brand distribution strategy."

Harrah's said that in just two years, the Harrah's Cherokee Smoky Mountains Casino has become the biggest tourism business in North Carolina attracting more than 3 million visitors this year alone. It employs 1,500 people.

Harrah's Cherokee Smoky Mountains Casino has 60,000 square feet of casino space with more than 2,400 machines, three restaurants and a 1,470-seat showroom.