A dealer lays out a deck of cards on a gaming table at a casino in Cherokee, NC. (Aug. 15, 2012/FOX Carolina)CHEROKEE, NC (FOX Carolina) -
For the first time in North Carolina history, card dealers took to casino tables Wednesday.
A change in the state's gaming law allowed the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to begin providing games of chance at its casino in Cherokee, NC.
On Wednesday, the tribe launched its new gaming venture with 10 Blackjack tables featuring people dealing the cards instead of fake cards on digital screens. In addition to the new tables, 700 new jobs were created at the casino, ranging from dealers to security, to handle the new games.
"After tonight, over the next couple of days, we will be adding Roulette and Craps," said Brooks Robinson, of Harrah's Cherokee Casino. "We'll then add additional tables."
Robinson said over the next several weeks the casino will roll out up to 110 table games.
Wednesday's event was described by casino officials as a soft launch. But from Wednesday, the games will run 24/7, according to Robinson.
North Carolina Gov. Bev Perdue will officially welcome the new gaming options next week.
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