The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians welcomed North Carolina Gov. Bev Perdue (D) to its casino on Wednesday to celebrate the launch of live table games.

Chief Michell Hicks and Perdue negotiated a new Class III gaming compact to authorize live dealers at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino and Resort . The deal was hailed as a economic development tool for the western part of the state.

"We promised that we’d create 400 jobs. We have created 500," Hicks told Perdue, The Cherokee One Feather reported.

The tribe will share a percentage of gross table game revenues with the state over the next 30 years. The rates follow: 4 percent for the first five years, 5 percent for the next five years, 6 percent for the next five years, 7 percent for the next five years and 8 percent for the next 10 years, the One Feather reported.

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Live table games officially open at Harrah’s Cherokee (The Cherokee One Feather 8/2)

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