The nation will launch land-based sports betting venues at two of its casino properties. The Book will take its first wagers at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort (pictured) and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino and Hotel, following a 10am (EDT) ribbon cutting.
The tribe is operating the venues in partnership with Caesars Entertainment, and by extension William Hill.
North Carolina passed legislation allowing on-site sports betting at the two Cherokee casinos back in 2019, following the repealing of PASPA. The Book venues will include seven staffed windows and 10 self-service terminals, utilizing William Hill’s renowned sportsbook platform.
The legalization of sports betting in North Carolina is a timely one. To the north of the state, Virginia this week authorized three more platforms for launch, and to the west William Hill has just launched an online solution.
Research from the American Gaming Association estimates that 47.7m Americans will wager on the upcoming March Madness tournament, so offering a legal in-state solution for those wishing to do so will be crucial for North Carolina, given the wealth of player options along its borders.
Such was not lost on Richard Sneed, principal chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, who made particular effort to thank state lawmakers for their work in bringing sports betting to North Carolina.
