CHEROKEE (AP) — Harrah's Cherokee Casino and Hotel will eliminate nearly 100 jobs because the slumping economy has meant fewer visitors traveling into the North Carolina mountains to gamble.
Company officials say it's the first time the complex has cut jobs since it opened in 1997, the Asheville Citizen-Times reported Tuesday.
General manager Darold Londo said the casino is offering voluntary buyouts that include severance packages based on years of service. Londo said if that doesn't eliminate enough jobs, employees will be let go. Harrah's has 1,800 workers.
Casino officials said the number of visitors decreased 15 percent in November. If conditions improve, Londo said the company hopes to rehire workers.
The casino is owned by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and provides much of the tribal government's budget, including health care.
Declining visitation also meant a cut in the payments to the tribe's 13,500 members. Tribal members receive a check twice a year from casino profits. The checks issued in December were $4,473 for each tribal member, down 11 percent from June.
Principal Chief Michell Hicks said the tribe began cutting spending in November because it anticipated a downturn.
The casino is continuing its $633 million expansion that will double floor space. Officials said in the fall that a low interest rate and a pool of labor made it a good idea to move ahead with the construction despite the poor economy.
Lester
Oh RobMan.... You so funny : Saturday, January 17, 2009 1:06 AM
I dont do illegal drugs. Well, I do remember that these waitress's come around and gave me something to drink. The drinks were free anyway. Which is more then I can say for those dang slot machines. My machine ate my danged money!
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RobMan
Lester, Lester, Lester... : Friday, January 16, 2009 9:49 PM
Lester, come on man, give it up. There has never been alcohol allowed at Harrah's in Cherokee. You must have been tokin on a blunt or something if you got a buzz off those hardcore fruit juices. It's ok though, there are days I can't remember what I did yesterday so you just keep on puffin'
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a gambler too!
re: Lester : Friday, January 16, 2009 4:53 PM
Harrah's Cherokee has never served an alcoholic drink. Not only is it a dry county, but it is located on an Indian Reservation. That law dates back to "old west" days...you don't give an Indian alcohol. Don't believe me? Call Harrah's and they'll tell you...
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Lester
to: RobMan : Friday, January 16, 2009 7:59 AM
to begin with, I am not 'dumb'. The county hasnt always been dry, because I downed my share of free drinks at Harrahs, but that has been years ago. Although gambling surely is not pleasing in God's eye, I dont think it is really a sin. I would suggest that someone give money to their church and not to a slot machine. The slot machine will never reward you, but God will.
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RobMan
Lester, you are just dumb! : Thursday, January 15, 2009 6:21 PM
Harrahs in Cherokee is in a dry county and do not and are not allowed to serve any alcohol. Yes, they do come around and are more than willing to fill you up on water, coffee, fruit juices and heaven forbid, almost any soft drink you care to have. It is entertainment people. If you want to go, go and enjoy yourself with a nice dinner and some fun. If you don't then just don't go. I have sinned as I was there last month!!!
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gambler
re: drinks : Thursday, January 15, 2009 5:44 PM
They serve you drinks, but not alcoholic drinks. It's a dry county apparently. And I agree with you Sallie..I've often said that I should just hand my money to the security guards when I first walk in! I do love going there, but don't go as much as I used to. Who can afford it these days??! I just make do with playing the games on their website...
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Lester
No alchohol?? : Thursday, January 15, 2009 3:30 PM
Someone below said that they dont serve alchol anymore?? Really? I havent been to Harrahs in about 5 years. I got mad becuase the nickel slot machine ate 5 of my Twenty's. Anyway,at that time there was waitress's who walked around with a variety of drinks on a tray and they were free. Did they stop that?
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Sinner with many vices
Everything is a sin or conspiracy in Rowan : Thursday, January 15, 2009 10:59 AM
I honestly don't know how some of you live without anxiety drugs. Everything that is printed in the post is either a sin or is wrapped in conspiracy. If you haven't been to the "den of iniquity", how would you know that they have done away with most of the slots? Sallie; I haven't seen a slot machine yet that "takes your money", you have to insert it. I personally loved Harrah's, but the times I went I only took $60.00 in with me. You have to go into a casino knowing that you are making a contribution, not to gamble. However I could usually play for a good 4-6 hours on that $60.00. It's all in fun, you just have to set a limit and leave when you have met it!
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The Wages of Sin
Harrah's not alluring : Thursday, January 15, 2009 8:11 AM
Declining business at Harrahs may be due to the elimination of most of their coin machines in favor of cards that are purchased. Gamblers are not enticed by cards, nor do many gamblers wanna give their biographical data to Harrah officials. I hope that den of iniquity flops.
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sallie
Nickel Slots : Wednesday, January 14, 2009 6:26 PM
Yes, I do love the nickel slots. But I might as well walk into Harrahs, hand the security people standing at the door my money and leave. It would save a lot of time, and my wouldnt hear 'dingdingding' in my head for 4 days.
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Jane
Joke : Wednesday, January 14, 2009 6:07 PM
That place is a joke. No dealers and they don't serve booze. Like a vodka tonic is bad for you but cigarette smoke and gambling isn't????
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gambler
slots : Wednesday, January 14, 2009 12:22 PM
Yeah...but don't 'cha love 'em ??!
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sallie
Get Rid of Slot Machines not People : Tuesday, January 13, 2009 4:18 PM
Dang nickel slots........took $400 from me!
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