Cherokee – Harrah’s Cherokee Casino plans to continue with a USD 650 million expansion to double its gambling floor space by 2012 even though the gambling business is taking a hit in the economic downturn.

Harrah’s Cherokee is one of western North Carolina’s largest employers with 1,800 workers. The Eastern Band of Cherokees pays Harrah’s to run its casino.

Vice president of marketing Leeann Bridges-McHattie told the Asheville Citizen-Times that Harrah’s Cherokee has had fewer customers and flat revenues this year. But she says the company has no plans to reduce work hours. She says the company is watching its expenses closely.

She says the expansion will continue because the casino would find itself behind otherwise.