CHEROKEE, N.C., Nov. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- The Eastern Band of Cherokee
Indians and Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: HET) heralded the opening of a
new 175,000 square-foot casino entertainment complex last night in the heart
of  the Great Smoky Mountains.  Harrah's Cherokee Smoky Mountains Casino is
the third tribal-owned gaming facility managed by Harrah's and the only
facility of its kind between Tunica, Mississippi, and Atlantic City, New
Jersey.
    An invitation-only crowd of 2,500 people celebrated Wednesday evening at
the VIP opening ceremonies, highlighted by a preview performance by the world-
renown American Indian Dance Theatre which tours extensively throughout the
United States and abroad.
    The casino, which will operate seven days a week, 24-hours a day, features
a colorful native American and mountain lodge theme.  Encompassing 37 acres,
the $82 million casino complex complements its surroundings, utilizing natural
materials indigenous to the area.
    Gaming space totaling 50,000 square feet features more than 1,800 video
gaming machines including an exciting new product, Lock-n-Roll, which includes
a second spin skill feature on all or some of the reels.  Additional video
gaming options include popular favorites such as poker, blackjack, craps and
pulltabs.
    Harrah's Cherokee Smoky Mountains Casino also features three signature
restaurants, Fresh Market Square Buffet, The Range Steak House and Winning
Streaks Grill, that will offer a variety of food and services ranging from
quick snacks to full service meals.  Other amenities include: the 20,000
square-foot Cherokee Pavilion event center with 1,500 theater-style seats
which will host entertainers such as Pat Benetar and The Four Tops, and a
specialty gift shop.
    "This opening is the result of nearly four years of hard work," says
Cherokee Principal Chief Joyce C. Dugan, "and will open the door to tremendous
economic opportunity for the Cherokee people."
    The facility will generate nearly 1,100 jobs.
    Sixteen million people live within a 200-mile radius of the new facility
which is located adjacent to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  The
park draws more than nine million visitors a year.
    "The economic impact on the entire western North Carolina and eastern
Tennessee region will be impressive," predicts Dugan.
    "Harrah's is proud and excited to bring our 60-year tradition of
outstanding customer service and first-class casino entertainment to the state
of North Carolina," adds Philip G. Satre, chairman, president and CEO of
Harrah's.  "Together with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, we will create
yet another great reason to visit what is already one of the most visited
locations in the United States.
    "Harrah's is uniquely dedicated to building strong relationships with our
customers in every market," Satre continues.  Tools like our industry-leading
Total Gold player rewards and recognition program foster brand loyalty by
ensuring consistent customer service on a national level.    We're confident
that Harrah's Cherokee Smoky Mountains Casino will  benefit as it becomes a
favorite destination for some of our more than six million current Total Gold
cardholders."
    Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. operates 14  casinos in nine states,
including a casino for the Ak-Chin Indian Community outside of Phoenix,
Arizona, and a casino for the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe in Bow, Washington,
giving it more properties in more markets than any other casino company in
North America.
     Harrah's celebrates its 60th year of operations during 1997.

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