Cherokee Tribe approves $275m expansion of Murphy casino

The Cherokee Tribal Council approved a $275m master plan to expand its Valley River Casino in Murphy, North Carolina.

US.- Harrah’s Valley River Casino in Murphy is to undergo a $275m expansion after the Cherokee Tribal Council voted to approve the project.

The tribe will revamp its venue with an additional hotel tower, a new restaurant, a hotel lobby café, a spa and indoor pool, additional gaming space and additional parking.

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.”

JCJ Architecture will design the project and provide a cost estimate, but the tribe already knows it will obtain a loan not to exceed $275m.

Wolfetown Representative Chelsea Saunooke said the plan was necessary to keep the casino ahead of the competition. 

She said: “I do want people to understand that right now as gaming stands, it funds 46.3 per cent of our budget,” she said. “So anything that would take away from that — competition, whatever, you name it — that’s just chipping away, chipping away. If we don’t do more to offset competition, then we’re going to be sitting ducks.”