Only three days after North Carolina Governor, Roy Cooper, signed legislation that legalized sportsbetting and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has reportedly announced plans to premiere sportsbooks at both of the southern state’s casinos.

Double delight:

According to a Monday report from The Cherokee One Feather newspaper, the federally-recognized tribe owns the Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino and Hotel as well as the much larger Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort and intends to introduce on-site sportsbetting before the end of the year.

Branding convenience:

The newspaper reported that both of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ land-based sportsbooks are to be branded as ‘The Book’ and offer aficionados the opportunity to place wagers on a range of professional and collegiate sports alongside thoroughbred and harness horseracing events.

Grand plans:

Brooks Robinson, Regional Senior Vice-President and General Manager for Harrah’s Cherokee Casinos, reportedly told the newspaper that the sportsbook for Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort is to be initially opened in a temporary location before being moved to a more permanent home while Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino and Hotel intends to debut its service in a bespoke facility near to the property’s promotions stage.

Robinson stated…

“This is an exciting time. We continuously work to offer new experiences and opportunities to our customers and are confident that our new sportsbook will be an added delight for our guests and sports fans.”

Rapid response:

The Cherokee One Feather reported that Governor Cooper signed North Carolina Senate Bill 154 into law on Friday after it had earlier been overwhelmingly passed by both the North Carolina House of Representatives and the North Carolina State Senate. As written, the legislation purportedly allows the jurisdiction’s pair of tribal casinos, both of which are operated by Caesars Entertainment Corporation, to offer sportsbetting so long as all wagers are placed ‘on Indian lands within the state lawfully permitted to conduct Class III gaming activities.’