Opinion: Gaming good for Eastern Cherokees but not for fellow tribe

Gambling is good, says the Cherokee tribe, because it spins off money to build up the reservation.

Gambling is bad, says the Cherokee tribe, if it is conducted by the rival Catawba Indian Nation, because it’s just not fair that the Catawbas could cross the state line from South to North to build a casino.

Gambling is good, say the Cherokees, because it spurs tourism in remote mountain towns, which have unemployment problems.

Gambling is bad, say the Cherokees, if it is conducted by the Catawbas alongside Interstate 85 in Kings Mountain, which has unemployment problems.

Gambling is good, say the Cherokees, because it improves life for the tribe’s children and young people.

Gambling is bad, say the Cherokees, if it is run by the Catawbas because it could cut into the Cherokee gambling market.