Tribe makes record distributions, plans casino expansion

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians will distribute an all-time high allocation of $8,840 per tribal member due to the success of its two North Carolina casinos in this year’s second and third quarters. In addition, the tribe will break ground in February or March on a $275 million expansion of the Valley River Casino in Murphy, which is expected to include more gaming space, a hotel tower, a cafe and a spa.