Harrah’s Cherokee Resort Expansion Highlights US Casino Growth as New York Online Gaming Bill Stalls

Harrah’s Cherokee, a large casino resort in the Qualla Boundary of the Eastern Cherokee Nation, has expanded to include five hotel towers with 1,833 rooms, more than 12,000 slot machines, a full‑service spa, and a new Gordon Ramsay Market dining concept featuring locally sourced foods. The resort now offers a wide range of amenities such as indoor and outdoor pools, a gym, and multiple dining venues, positioning it as one of the most extensive casino‑hotel complexes in the southeastern United States.

In New York, state legislators continue to push for legal online casino licensing. Senate Bill 2614, re‑filed by Sen. Joseph Addabbo Jr., would allow casinos, online sports‑betting operators, tribal entities and video‑lottery terminals to apply for online casino licenses. However, Governor Kathy Hochul has signaled strong opposition to unregulated gambling, signing a law banning dual‑currency sweepstakes gaming and warning that the administration prioritises consumer protection over corporate interests. The bill has received little traction and is unlikely to be signed into law in the near term.