6 minute read
Play your cards right this fall
Roll the dice for Lady Luck at these North Carolina casinos
story by Vanessa Infanzon
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A fourth hotel tower with 725 rooms and seven suites was part of a $330 million expansion of Harrah’s Casino Resort in Cherokee, NC. Photo courtesy of Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort
A variety of electronic games provide a unique source of entertainment at Two Kings. Photo courtesy of Two Kings Casino
Aquick drive to Cherokee or Kings Mountain this fall will land you in North Carolina gambling country.
Whether you’re new to poker and slot machines or a regular in Vegas, casinos operated by local indigenous tribes in these locations will give you a run for your money. And even if you leave a few dollars lighter, take heart in knowing that money lost to “the house” is used to fund housing, schools and services within the nation.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
• Show identification to gain access into the casino. • Bring a light jacket or sweater because it’s chilly inside. • Plan to smoke outside because the facility is smokefree.
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“It’s an economic engine for the tribe,” says Trent Troxel, vice president of Catawba Two Kings and former president of the economic board for Catawba Nation.
CATAWBA TWO KINGS CASINO
In July 2021, Catawba Two Kings in Cleveland County opened a temporary 27,000-square foot space filled with 1,000 machines, including 954 slot machines and 46 electronic games. Parking is free, the building is wheelchair accessible and a sheriff or sheriff’s deputy is always on duty. The casino is open 24/7.
Every day, one new member in the Lucky North Club wins $1,000 in a drawing. Join this rewards program for free by signing up online and printing the card on property. Members can also win playing interactive games. Play Rollin’ Up Riches or Spin to Win. They’re like the games you see on The Price is Right: Turn the wheel or choose the right envelope for a chance at a prize. Check the website for new promotions.
If poker is your game, there’s a room just for you at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort. Photo courtesy of Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort
Place bets and in-game bets in the sportsbook, an enclosed lounge with more than 20 TVs and Captain’s chairs. A separate area is available for high-limit games.
Wine by the glass, domestic and local beer from Catawba Brewing and Olde Mecklenburg are available on tap or in a can. Coffee, tea, water and soft drinks are free on the casino floor. Nuya Hinu, a grab and go café within the casino, sells candy, pizza, sandwiches, wraps and snacks. Order additional hot menu items from the food truck.
The casino has special rates with the Holiday Inn Express in Gastonia and Kings Mountain and the Comfort Inn in Shelby. Make it a getaway and visit local museums and parks in the area: The Schiele Museum of Natural History & Planetarium, Crowders Mountain State Park and Kings Mountain National Military Park are nearby.
Plans for a hotel, restaurants and shopping with a permanent building for live tables and games are in the works, although no timeline has been announced. “When you’re talking about a project of this size and scope,” Troxel says, “a lot of things have to come together to get it right.”
Catawba Two Kings Casino, 538 Kings Mountain Blvd., Kings Mountain, NC 28086; 704.750.7777 or twokingscasino.com
TIPS FROM A PRO Story by Vanessa Infanzon
Dominic LoRiggio is author of “Golden Touch Craps: The Complete Guide to Winning at Craps.” Known as the Dominator, LoRiggio recommends these tips when you head to the casino: • Never take money to the casinos that you can’t afford to lose. Set a budget before you leave. View a visit to the casino as entertainment: The money you gamble with is the price of admission. • Learn the strategy for blackjack and video poker on your home computer. Gain an advantage by spending some of your gambling money on a program that will teach you to play these games properly. It’s cheaper than trying to get your education at the tables. • Be realistic about your expectations. You won’t turn $100 into a million. Be happy with small wins and know when to walk away. • Keep your casino gambling sessions short. You can win in the short run with a little bit of luck. The longer you play, the more likely it is that the casino’s edge will catch up to you.
Dominic LoRiggio is known as the Dominator and has helpful suggestions if a casino trip is in your future. Photo by Steve Slavic • Savor a win. If you’re ahead after a few hours, take a break and savor it. You can always come back later. For more information about the Dominator, go to goldentouchcraps.com.
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HARRAH’S CHEROKEE
If you’re visiting for the first time or haven’t made this short trip north lately, Harrah’s will surprise you with a $330 million expansion finished during the pandemic. A fourth hotel tower with 725 rooms and seven suites was added. You can grab drinks from the lobby bar before dinner at Guy Fieri’s Cherokee Kitchen + Bar. Soon to be open for quick bites is Gordon Ramsey Food Market, featuring eight cuisine concepts and a full-service restaurant.
The casino has more than 3,000 games, 11 restaurants, retail shops, an event space for shows and concerts and an 83,000-square foot convention center.
Take a break from the tables to visit Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual, view the Soco Falls or hike the Waterrock Knob Trail. The Blue Ridge Craft Trails highlight local basket makers, painters, potters and more.
Finish the day with drinks and dinner at Wicked Weed Brewpub or Brio Tuscan Grille, inside Harrah’s.
Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, 777 Casino Drive, Cherokee, NC 28719; 828.497.7777 or caesars.com/ harrahs-cherokee n
{at top} It doesn’t have to be all about the tables at Harrah’s in Cherokee. The Mandara Spa is one of several amenities the resort offers. {at right} Brio Tuscan Grille is one of 11 restaurant options inside Harrah’s Cherokee Resort. Photos courtesy of Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort
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