Harrahs Cherokee Payout Percentage
Harrahs Cherokee Payout Percentage
- Casino Payout Percentage
- Harrah's Cherokee Casino
- Harrah's Cherokee Hotel
- Is Harrah's Cherokee Casino Open
- Harrah's Cherokee Payout Percentage Chart
The secret to success was two-fold. A multi-year $633 million expansion elevated the casino to a destination resort. And the recent addition of table games with live dealers, such as blackjack, poker and roulette is drawing new clientele. Previously, the casino only had electronic gambling.
At the last minute we decided to go to Harrah's Cherokee. As usual the room was very nice and comfortable. Check in was convenient and the staff was professional and friendly. The hotel provided the extra amenities that we requested. The casino floor staff answered my questions and the cashiers were also professional. Owned by the EBCI and managed by Harrah’s, which also oversees casinos in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, Harrah’s Cherokee has grown considerably over the past two decades. With the completion of a $633 million expansion in 2013, it currently boasts three hotel towers, a golf course, 11 restaurants, a bowling alley, an arcade and a spa, plus.
Although revenues at the tribally owned casino rose substantially the second half of 2012 after table games were added, the increase was mitigated somewhat by the initial cost of setting up its table games operation. Harrah’s hired and trained 500 new employees and purchased the equipment needed for the table games themselves.
“Financially, we have done well with table games, but the expense was high,” said Lumpy Lambert, a general manager at Harrah’s.
Half of the casino’s profits are paid out in dividends twice a year to tribal members. The other half goes to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to fund tribal operations and programs.
Last year, dividends were around $7,700 for each of the tribe’s 15,000 enrolled members.
That amount will go up thanks to table games coming on line, but due to start-up costs, the increase will seem more modest at first, Lambert said.
Tribal members will get the first of two dividend checks for the year on June 3 — $4,023 (before taxes) compared to $3,785 last June.
“It may not seem as dramatic as everybody wants,” said Tribal Council member Bo Taylor of Big Cove. But, Taylor pointed out, the amount is up 6 percent from the previous June.
The tribe is anticipating a more considerable increase during the second half of the year from the table games.
“We are looking at a pretty good increase, double digit increases,” said Adele Jacobs-Madden, director of finance at Harrah’s.
Casino profits declined when the recession hit and Americans cut back on leisure spending and travel. If the financial prediction holds true, casino earnings in 2013 will finally return to pre-recession levels — plus some.
After this year ends, however, the initial bump from table games will start to level off, and the casino will eventually go back to seeing organic growth of 2 to 4 percent a year, Madden said.
The casino dividends tribal members get in June are based on earnings from the second half of last year — and table games hadn’t fully ramped up for most of that period. They launched in August, but weren’t at full tilt at first.
“(We) really didn’t promote the product to make sure we could meet the demand,” Lambert said.
It began its big advertising push, aimed at gamblers within a 150-mile radius, in October.
“We have hit it hard,” Lambert said.
Harrah’s has 124 table games and plans to add 10 or 12 more tables by Memorial Day weekend.
Nationally ranked
Harrah’s profits declined for three years during the recession, bottoming out in 2010. Since then, they have come back — a rebound no doubt due partly to the economy in general but also partly to the new undertakings at the casino.
Harrah’s gaming revenues increased by 8 percent in 2011, compared to a 11 percent decline in revenue over 2009 and 2010, according to an annual study by an industry trade group that analyzes tribal casino market trends nationwide. The Casino City’s Indian Gaming Industry Report ranked North Carolina fourth out of 28 states for gaming revenue growth rate in 2011 — a big jump from just the year before when it came in 23rd and saw negative growth.
There is no one or two reasons why a casino sees a jump in revenue, while another sees a decline.
“There can be a variety of reasons,” said Alan Meister, author of the industry report and an economist with Nathan Associates.
The report tied an overall national rise in gaming revenue in 2011 to an improving economy, witnessed by increases in gross domestic product, disposable personal income and employment.
And things were only expected to improve in 2012. However, industry-level data for that year is not available yet.
Early performance numbers and anecdotal evidence for 2012 suggested that revenue numbers kept rising as the economy got better, as tribes invested in their casino operations, and as casinos expanded their gaming options.
Adding live table games, for example, can draw a new type of customer, broadening a casino’s revenue base.
“There are some people who really enjoy the social environment and interaction with the dealers at live table games, and you cannot really get that at electronic table games,” Meister said.
Although table game players tend to throw down the most money during a visit, table games are not the biggest payoff for tribally owned casinos.
“Slot machines generally generate the vast majority of gaming revenue at Indian gaming facilities,” Meister said.
Gaming on the Cherokee reservation started with a high stakes bingo hall in the early 1990’s. Bingo became so popular that a casino was considered. As North Carolina permitted video poker for prizes, the Cherokees felt they could legally offer video poker. After a win in federal court, this was approved.
Harrah’s Cherokee opened in 1997 with about 500 video poker machines, making it one of the oldest casinos in North Carolina. Since the 1990s, it has since exploded into one of the largest casinos in the United States. It has a geographic monopoly with its sister casino in Murphy, NC, both of which are operated by Caesars on behalf of the Cherokee.
The small sister property is known as Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River. It is the closest casino for most players in North and South Carolina, as well as parts of Tennessee, Georgia and Virginia.
There are 3,280 slots, 122 table games, 24 electronic table games and 20 poker tables available at Harrah’s Cherokee. There are three hotel towers with a total of 1,215 rooms, of which 107 are suites. There are 12 restaurants at Harrah’s Cherokee. Entertainment options include Essence Nightclub, Multi-tainment Center and showroom where national artists perform music and comedy.
Casino at Harrah’s Cherokee
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Harrah’s Cherokee spreads 3,280 machines on 150,000 square feet of casino space. Most of these games are video or reel slots. There are three types of video poker machines at Harrah’s Cherokee, with the most popular one being Pot O’ Gold. The favorite game on these devices is Shamrock 7’s, which plays like Joker Poker except there is a bonus for making three or more sevens in a hand. If that occurs, players are taken to a bonus screen where they pick a pot of gold. The win ranges from six to thirty times the base bet plus the value of the hand. Five of a kind has a progressive jackpot on this game.
Pot O’ Gold Machines
Pot O’ Gold are multi-game machines and typically have several other games on them. These include two other Joker Poker variants, Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild and 8-Ball Poker.
The 8-Ball game plays like Shamrock 7’s in that a player gets to a bonus round by making three or more eights. Pot O’ Golds have progressive jackpots. All joker games hit a jackpot on five of a kind. The other video poker games pay the progressive on a royal flush. An eight-coin bet is required to qualify for the progressive jackpot. Denominations are quarter, half-dollar and dollar.
Keno is another game on Pot O’ Golds. The versions are Toucheasy Keno and Superball Keno. These have huge progressive that pay on an eight, nine or ten-spot, as well as hitting 8 out of 9 or 9 out of 10.
In terms of RTP, the best game on any machine at Harrah’s Cherokee is Black Gold. It is an electronic blackjack variation, and there are 20 of these games near the gift shop. Bets are accepted in even amounts from $2 to $50. Players may double down on 9, 10 and 11 but not after splitting. The dealer stands on all 17s, split aces may be hit and the player automatically wins on a six-card charlie. The dealer must stand if the machine draws six cards and does not bust.
Video Poker
Most of the other video poker machines are Game Kings. These are standard IGT devices with games like Bonus Poker, Double Bonus Poker, Double Double Bonus Poker, Deuces Wild, Jacks or Better and Bonus Poker Deluxe. Denominations are quarter, half-dollar, dollar, two-dollar and five-dollar. The best video poker game is Not-so-ugly-deuces (99.73%). It is available on the $5 denomination machines in the high limit salon. This game is a great way to achieve high Total Rewards tiers.
The other video poker machines are made by Interblock. They include Double Bonus, Double Double Bonus and video roulette and craps.
Table Games
Casino Payout Percentage
There are 122 table games at Harrah’s Cherokee. More than half of those tables are eight-deck blackjack. The games on the main casino floor have $10 to $1,000 limits. Players may double down before and after splitting. The dealer hits soft 17. High limit games use six decks and run from $50 to $2,000.
The back high limit room’s blackjack tables stand on all 17s. The minimum for that game is either $200 or $500, depending on the time of day. All live blackjack games at Harrah’s Cherokee pay 3-2.
Other Table Games at Harrah’s Cherokee
Ultimate Texas Hold’em: $5 to $50 (2)
High Card Flush: $5 to $200 (2)
Mississippi Stud: $5 to $25 (4)
Pai Gow Poker: $10 to $1,000 (4)
Big Wheel: $2 to $100 (2)
00 Roulette: $10 to $300 (11)
Craps 10x odds: $10 to $3,000 (9)
Baccarat: $25 to $5,000 (5)
Three Card Poker: $10 to $300 (8)
Let it Ride: $10 to $300 (8)
Crazy 4 Poker: $10 to $200 (2)
There are two stadium gaming setups. One is live and deals baccarat and double zero roulette. Baccarat has $25 to $1,000 limits while the roulette game has $5 to $300 limits. These games are dealt simultaneously.
The other stadium gaming setup is all virtual games. It has $1 to $100 blackjack that pays 6-5, $1 to $2,000 craps with double odds and $0.25 to $100 double zero roulette. There are separate video craps and roulette machines with the same limits and rules on the main casino floor.
Poker at Harrah’s Cherokee
There is a 20-table poker room on the second floor. The main games are 1/2 No Limit Texas Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha. The buy-in is $100 to $200 for both games. Busier hours will see 2/5 limits for those games with $200 to $1,000 buy-ins.
There are 14 No Limit Texas Hold’em tournaments each week. There is an $80 tournament at 7 PM and $45 one at 10 PM Monday through Thursday. On Fridays, the tournaments are $135 at 7 PM and $80 on 10 PM. The Saturday tournament is $250 and starts at 11 AM. On Sundays, there is an $80 tournament at 10 AM and 7 PM, as well as a $250 one at 2 PM.
Harrah's Cherokee Casino
Total Rewards Player Program
Harrah’s Cherokee uses Total Rewards for its loyalty program. This is used at all Caesars Entertainment properties in the country, including Cherokee’s sister property near Murphy, North Carolina. Guests can receive separate offers that include free play, hotel rooms and food comps. This can make it advantageous to play at both properties on a regular basis.
Free play is sent by mail in the form of slot tickets. Guests can reprint these on kiosks if they are left at home.
New Total Rewards players start out at Gold. Once 5,000 tier points are earned in a calendar year, Platinum is awarded. It requires 15,000 tier points for Diamond and 150,000 for Seven Stars.
Platinum players receive line passes at the buffet and cashier cage. Diamond players receive access to the Diamond Lounge and receive a $100 celebration dinner each year. Seven Stars players get a private area in the Diamond Lounge with a separate entrance. They also get a $500 annual dinner and a separate trip worth up to $1,200 in airfare and $500 in meals. Platinum and higher receive free parking in Las Vegas and Atlantic City.
It may be worth giving substantial action in a day as opposed it spreading it out. That is because there are bonus points for earning a certain number of tier points between 6 AM and 6 AM daily. If you earn 500 tier credits, you’ll get a 125 bonus. Earn 1,000 and receive another 1,000 bonus. A player that receives 2,500 tier credits in a day receives a 5,000 bonus. To get Diamond in a day, earn 5,000 tier credits and receive another 10,000 as a bonus, which equals the number of points required for Diamond.
Dining & Restaurants at Harrah’s Cherokee
Ruth Chris Steakhouse: The main fine-dining option at Harrah’s Cherokee. It serves prime steak on 500-degree plates. There are also some seafood and chicken options, as well as a large salad, appetizer, wine and dessert menu. Ruth Chris is open for dinner daily. It is on the casino floor. However, there is a family entrance.
Brio Tuscan Grill: Located on the second floor, Brio Tuscan Grill is accessible for families. It is open for lunch and dinner. Entrée items include pasta, seafood, chicken and steak. There is also a wine list, appetizers and a dessert menu.
Noodle Bar: An Asian fusion option. It opens daily for dinner. Menu options include noodle soups and traditional Chinese appetizers and entrees. There is also a vegetarian menu.
Chefs Stage Buffet: A buffet that is opened for dinner on Monday, Thursday and Friday and lunch and dinner on Saturdays and Sundays. Sunday includes prime rib and crab legs. It is $34.99. All other services are $27.99. Total Rewards members receive a $2 discount per patron.
Other Dining Options
There are two cafes on the property. One is on the casino floor. The other is in the hotel. The hotel one permits minors. There is a food court with Johnny Rockets, Earl of Sandwich, Pizzeria Uno and Dunkin Donuts. Minors are not permitted in the food court.
Harrah’s Cherokee Hotspots & Venues
There are several non-gaming activities at Harrah’s Cherokee. These include golf, bowling, shows and a spa.
Ultrastar Multi-tainment Center
Harrah's Cherokee Hotel
This venue has several entertainment options. There is a 24-lane bowling alley. The game center has a variety of arcade and redemption games. Soundbytes and Strikes Lounge are two adult-only options with full bars.
Essence
This adult-only nightclub includes 33 televisions and a 13-foot projection screen. There is a DJ every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. There is a full bar with seating both outside and inside the venue.
Is Harrah's Cherokee Casino Open
Event Center
The event center is upstairs by the poker room. It is home to national comedy and musical acts.
Harrah's Cherokee Payout Percentage Chart
Hotel at Harrah’s Cherokee
There are 1,215 hotel rooms, of which 107 are suites. There are three hotel towers on the property. Standard nightly rates start at $99 on weeknights and $499 on weekends.
The base room is a Mountain Tower with one king or two queens. For $10 additional, guests can receive a room with a view. Guests can receive a newly remodeled room in the Mountain Tower for $30 more per night, The Soco Tower starts at $119 on weeknights and $519 on weekends. A view is $10 more. Newer rooms in this tower are $20 more.
The Creek Tower is home to the newest rooms at Harrah’s Cherokee. These rooms start at $149 on weeknights and $549 on weekends. Upgraded rooms with a view are $10 more.
Hotel rooms are available in smoking and nonsmoking. Rooms have a coffee maker, 42-inch television and internet access for a fee.
Harrahs Cherokee Payout Percentage