Gaming
Board Pushes for Alcohol Sales
As reported by the North Carolina
Citizen-Times: "For the third time in 16
years, members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee
Indians are debating whether to allow a tribal-wide
vote on the sale of alcoholic beverages.
"Both
times before the issue of selling alcohol on
the Cherokee Indian Reservation has polarized
this largely conservative, churchgoing community.
This time, the referendum vote would permit
sales only at Harrah's Cherokee Casino, and
not at other reservation businesses.
"The
Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise board is spearheading
the effort. Members on Thursday plan to ask
Tribal Council for the referendum, according
to a meeting agenda. The gaming board is made
up of tribal members nominated by the principal
chief and appointed by Tribal Council. Members
of the gaming board supervise Harrah's management.
"…The
gaming board told Tribal Council earlier this
year that alcohol sales would increase gambling
revenue.
"The
tribe's 13,500-members get a payout twice a
year from casino profits called a per-capita
check. Members received about $4,000 each in
their most recent checks…"
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