If you like to gamble and don't mind no wins or payouts and want to unload some cash then just visit the Cherokee Harrahs Casino. From Chattanooga it's a 2 1/2 hr drive to the Cherokee Casino and we have been several times since October because of the comps. Everyone talking about "TIGHT SLOTS" are telling the truth with this casino. I was lucky enough to win $1000 at Wheel of Fortune before they changed them to all new machines sometime towards the end of last year. On the new Wheel of Fortune $1 slots I counted 37 spins back to back at $3 max bet (which has to be bet in order to get a spin bonus) and I did not get 1 credit back in those 37 spins. This was not the only slot machine that takes numerous spins to get even 1 credit back.

A few years ago when visiting this casino they would often announce big winners (say $5000 more or less) over the intercom but...we have noticed in our last several visits that we have not "ONCE" heard any big winners announced at the casino and we play from 7 at night until often noon the next day.

The hotel rooms are nice if you get the Creek Tower Junior Suite but it's very hard to ever get a room with any date you try to select yet the casino is not crowded unless there is a big event for the weekend. If you are expecting alcoholic beverages then make sure to bring extra money to pay for them. You can get water, soda or coffee for free but you will have to go get it yourself from the bar unless you wait 2 hours or more for a waitress. We did get room service breakfast during one stay and I can say that was absolutely wonderful! The casino staff are friendly and offer help when needed.

If you have free play coupons or comps and looking for entertainment then make a visit and decide for yourself. I would suggest playing between 6pm thru 1am for better luck because we have played til morning on every visit and after 1 to 2am it's as if the machines get locked down or something.

Oh, one last thing especially for new players. Be careful of your max bets on even penny, nickle and quarter slots. For example: we often play the $1 slots (triple 7's, one line payout, 3 credit max bet) for total of $3 max bet and we decided to switch to the .25cent slots for a few hours. We played .25cent (same triple 7's, but 5 credits, 5 line payout ) for bet of $1.25....so here you would thing that we were saving some money on spins moving to a .25cent slot...WRONG...the max bet turned out to be $18.75. So for those new to slots be careful on your max bets even on small penny, nickle, quarter slots because many of the games here require the max bet to get bonus features.

I'd really like to know where the people go and always win at slots at a casino. I come here at least 3 times a year and it has grown into a beautiful casino. The buffet is great, the scenery is beautiful, but they have removed some slots for the tables. I go for the enjoyment of the slots, I win some and lose some, as long as you stay in your limit gambling is the norm, I don't expect to get rich and I don't LOL. All in all Cherokee could be looser, but that can be spoken of the casinos in Las Vegas too. I'll keep coming back until they open one closer to me and as long as they keep comping me rooms!!

We are long time customers since the days the first casino opened in Cherokee. You could actually win back then! Seems the more they spend on expanding into their "Resort", the less you will win in the "casino". We used to win jackpots with some regularity. Then the more construction that went on, the less jackpots we won. That includes my husband, me, our friends, and pretty much anyone I talk to at Harrah's Cherokee. They used to announce jackpots won but now they don't bother since there are so few of them. The only free drinks are soft drinks or water. They have begun to get stingy with them as well. I was on casino floor for 4 hours before being offered a drink. A recent stay in a comped hotel room (we are 7 stars) found a room with no room service menu. We called front desk they told us menu was on the TV. No it isn't and we knew as much from being a frequent guest. About an hour later they finally brought a menu to our room. We do enjoy the room service and find the food pretty tasty. They always ask us on check-in if we would like to have some soft drinks/water brought up. We tell them what we want it, but at least 75% of the time, they never show up. So why ask??? The hotel and newly remodeled casino are beautiful. We enjoy our rooms. However, we go to gamble and to win. Each year gets worse and worse. Don't take my word. Look at these other reviews. Believe them! Cherokee is the only casino for hundreds of miles. No competition. Built in customers because of location in the Smokies. Most people just wonder into casino having never gambled before and I think this is who they want. They care little about their loyal customers and the feeling is becoming mutual. We are going to play elsewhere even though we have to drive/fly farther. In the end, it will be worth it. Sorry Harrah's Cherokee. You have lost long loyal customers.

We stayed this month for 3 days and were very lucky with the slots. Several big wins on the penny slots. Ate at Ruth Chris and Brio both excellent...we will be back.

Having moved to Charlotte from NJ about 8 years ago, the only close casino was Cherokee, so I've seen it grow from a few buildings to a huge gaming complex. It's a 3 hour one way trip and it's surprising that no one has offered a regular scheduled bus trips more than one or two a month....
But putting travel aside, I go (my wife occasionally) to Cherokee to get away and (let's be honest), try to win some money....
After having played in Atlantic City and 'felt' the payouts there, Cherokee is VERY disapointing and I honestly didn't know/realize how little a percentage the casino pays out on the slots til a few months ago. I never thought to check as I just assumed they paid a fair and decent payout.... How WRONG I was... I went all of last year without winning or even getting close to a decent payout... I attain Diamond status so it's not like I am not spending substantial mooney. In the back of my head, I always thought it was strange and the slots could be so 'tight' for me... but have since found it's not only me... but EVERYONE.
The new casino is just about finished and is beautiful but the problem with that area, is lack of ample people to work. Last few trips it was evident in hardly any slot personnel around, restaurants understaffed, housecleaning slow, etc. this eventually will hurt.
The food and restaurants NEED upgrading, even the NEW ones. Paula Deans has sub standard food, The downstairs buffet is just OK...nothing special and the fast food area just plain stinks. Ever get a Johnny Rockers at Harrah's in Atlantic City? Cherokee's is like dog food. And none of the other fast food places serve really fresh food.... the Uno's pizza is warm and has been sitting for a whle and the quality of the deli meat is mediocre at best. I have not tried Ruths Chris or Brio yet but Both are Expensive eateries.... I don't get ANY food comps like I do in AC, so, it just depends on my mood ( and winnings) if I will frequent them.
From what I was told (and I'm not sure if this is true), Harrah's, although in charge of most of the operations, only owns approx. 12 percent of this Casino, so the problem lies with the Indian Gaming Commission to makes all of the decisions. And in my opinion, they could care less about who attends their casino or how to treat the guests. They just appear to want to make as much money as possible.
As a patron, I would like to feel at least a little special, don't you?
well, at lest I have vented for the one or two people who will read this. I certainly don't want to come across negative but until there is a positive attitude and changes at Cherokee, I am seriously considering weekend trips to AC offered by the likes of Pair-a-dice travel, etc.
Anyone know of any other sites ... I truly believe word has to get out about how little their slot payout percentage is....
At least I know I'll have a better chance of coming home with some money in my pocket and I can enjoy a real Atlantic city funnel cake on the boardwalk.