The vice chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians said that Gov. Mike Easley rejected the tribe request to license live card games at Harrahs Cherokee Casino.
Vice Chief Larry Blythes interpretation to the tribal council meeting on gambling is different from the governors office comments from last week. According to Easley spokespersons, the license to live card dealers is still being discussed.
The tribe and Easleys attorneys have been discussing the need to change states gaming regulations in order to permit live card games such as blackjack and poker. Now it is allowed to offer video gambling machines and digital blackjack with a live dealer.
The tribes claim that adding live dealers to their existing casino would create 430 jobs. Harrahs Cherokee casino is the biggest private employer in the area and it employs over 3,000 people, most of them off the Cherokee Indian Reservation. The casino annual profits estimated 155 million dollars.
