The Cherokee tribal council recently approved a $275 million master plan to expand the Valley River Casino in Murphy, North Carolina.
Harrah’s Regional Vice President for Marketing Brian Saunooke said, “We’re thrilled with tribal council’s support of the resolution and are optimistic that Chief Sneed will ratify the resolution.” Saunooke said “key features” will include a second hotel tower, restaurant, hotel lobby café, spa, indoor pool, additional gaming space and additional parking. No timeline was given for the completion of the projects.
JCJ Architecture will develop the concept design and provide a cost estimate. The TCGE will obtain a loan not to exceed $275 million, Saunooke said.
The original Harrah’s Valley River Casino & Hotel was built for $110 million and opened in September 2015 with 50,000 square feet of gaming space, including 1,050 slot machines, 70 table games and a food court. An additional $13 million spent in 2018 added a 41,000-square-foot entertainment area with bowling, arcade games and a full-service restaurant, plus 55 gaming units and video poker bartop units on the gaming floor. The venue also has a seven-story, 300-room hotel tower. A sportsbook was added in March.
The Eastern Band of Cherokees original casino is located in Cherokee, North Carolina at the gates of the Great Smokey Mountains National Park.
