Caesars Entertainment is broadening its partnership with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) to encompass online sports wagering. 

The casino giant based in Las Vegas has managed the EBCI’s tribal casinos in North Carolina since the opening of Harrah’s Cherokee in November 1997. Currently, the tribe possesses two casinos in North Carolina, including Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River. 

With North Carolina legislators and Gov. Roy Cooper (D) approving online sports betting last year, and operations scheduled to start on March 11 at noon local time, Caesars and the Cherokees revealed on Tuesday an extension of their operating partnership to cover online sports wagering. 

The state’s regulations for online sports betting designate a “tribal gaming enterprise” as eligible for an online sportsbook license. The EBCI decided to enhance its partnership with Caesars and Caesars Sportsbook, which has operated physical sportsbooks at Harrah’s Cherokee and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River since March 2021. 

“Our partnership with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has lasted over twenty years,” stated Eric Hession, president of Caesars Digital. “Enhancing this enduring partnership enables us to improve the top-notch sports betting experience offered at our physical sportsbooks by providing a safe means for North Carolinians aged 21 and above to engage with sports more profoundly throughout the state.” 

Promoting Tribal Casinos 

In a statement given to Casino.org, Caesars and the Cherokee tribe announced that they will leverage their online sportsbook as a marketing strategy to attract new visitors to the tribal casinos. Both resorts are situated in the rural southwestern part of the state. 

The Caesars Sportsbook app online will incorporate the company's Caesars Rewards loyalty program. The marketing plan will highlight "the features and experiences [visitors] can take pleasure in at Harrah’s Cherokee and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River via unique promotions and advertising on the app.” 

The North Carolina State Lottery Commission is assessing online sportsbook applications from seven commercial entities. The lottery organization will oversee its upcoming activities. Online sportsbooks, such as Caesars Sportsbook, submitted applications to the North Carolina State Lottery Commission to start registering players on March 1. 

The Caesars-EBCI internet sportsbook will obtain a state license after meeting various conditions, one of which stipulates that Caesars Sportsbook’s computer servers operate solely from the sovereign lands of the Cherokees. The tribe's permitted online sports betting does not impact the total count of licensed interactive sports wagering operators. The online sportsbook will be regarded as tribal and included in the Class III gaming compact between the Cherokees and the state. 

The Catawba Indian Nation, currently managing a temporary casino in Kings Mountain as it seeks funding for a permanent resort named Two Kings Casino, operates a retail sportsbook but has not yet revealed its intentions to seek online betting rights. 

Tribal Agreements 

North Carolina’s online sports wagering legislation represents its initial expansion of commercial gaming since permitting the state lottery in 2005. Until last year’s sports wagering law, the EBCI’s two casinos had held a monopoly on the majority of gambling activities. 

The Cherokees, on the other hand, were in favor of the legislation.

"Many of the surrounding states have already taken steps to allow mobile sports betting, and we are pleased that this bipartisan law is putting North Carolina on an equal footing,” said EBCI Principal Chief Richard Sneed.

The tribes were also granted significant concessions. The Cherokees are not required to team up with a professional sports facility or location to be eligible for an online sportsbook license.