Report: Casino Benefits Local Economy

The Harrah’s Cherokee Casino in Western North Carolina contributes almost $400 million to the local economy. That’s according to a new report from UNC Chapel Hill.

The report calls the economic impact “large and dramatic.” The nearly $400 million was spent mostly by out-of-state visitors to the casino in Jackson County in 2010. The regional impact focused on Jackson and Swain Counties. The casino is owned by the Eastern Band of Cherokee. Most of the band’s income comes from casino revenues. The report was written by researchers at UNC’s Kenan Flagler Business School. It was funded by the Eastern Band of Cherokee and Harrah’s, which manages the casino.