Latest News
Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River’s New Hotel Tower Nears Completion

Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel has shared significant updates on the development of the highly anticipated Valley Tower. Valley Tower marks the latest milestone in Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River’s $275 million expansion project, following the opening of a 25,000 square-foot expanded casino floor this past May.
Construction on the Valley Tower has progressed substantially, with exterior wall panel installation complete and framing fully finished up to level 11. Key systems such as mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire sprinklers are now in place across all floors, while drywall and insulation have been installed from levels one through nine. In the coming months, teams led by Robins & Morton will focus on interior finishes, wiring low-voltage and fire alarm systems, and building out IT and electrical rooms.
Once complete, Valley Tower will embody the spirit of the valley and beauty of the adjacent Nantahala National Forest, creating a new sense of luxury on site. Lodgers will be greeted by an onyx stone reception desk set against custom wood paneling, with warm wood tones, organic furnishings, and forest-inspired carpeting that will enhance the inviting atmosphere.
“We’re thrilled to share our progress made to Valley Tower and are eager to welcome guests to experience the luxurious new rooms and enhanced amenities soon. Every detail of the Valley Tower has been thoughtfully designed with our guests’ comfort and enjoyment in mind,” said Lumpy Lambert, General Manager of Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel.
In addition to nearly doubling the amount of hotel rooms currently offered, Valley Tower will also host a lineup of luxe amenities including the 12,000 square-foot rooftop restaurant providing enchanting mountain views, the 9600 square-foot salon and spa, and year-round indoor pool. The development of these additions is on-schedule for an early 2025 opening.
Guests can begin booking rooms online for stays at Valley Tower starting on 1 March 2025. While this is the first available date to book online, the property anticipates having rooms turned over sooner in late 2024.
To accommodate the influx of casino goers and lodgers, Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River is also nearing completion of their new 5-story parking deck. The structure’s concrete slab is now finished with all precast elements installed. In the coming weeks, crews will finish caulking and sealing expansion joints, striping parking spots, and installing the deck’s elevators and electrical and mechanical rooms.
The new amenities will also introduce new positions in hotel, food and beverage, facilities, and retail in the coming months. Wages start at $15/hour, and all Harrah’s Cherokee Team Members have access to the tuition/certification reimbursement program and career growth opportunities within Harrah’s Cherokee Casinos.
Industry News
Gaming and Leisure Properties Inc. Names Carlo Santarelli Senior Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Investor Relations

Gaming and Leisure Properties Inc. announced that Carlo Santarelli has been appointed Senior Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Investor Relations, a new position at the Company. Mr. Santarelli will begin his new position on August 18, 2025 and will report to GLPI President and Chief Operating Officer, Brandon Moore.
Mr. Santarelli brings over 25 years of Wall Street experience in Equity Research and Investment Banking to his new role and joins the Company from Deutsche Bank where he was Managing Director of Gaming & Lodging Equity Research. Prior to Deutsche Bank, Mr. Santarelli held similar positions at Bear Stearns, JP Morgan and Wells Fargo. He consistently ranked highly in Institutional Investor and other sell-side analyst research polls as a thought leader in the space, providing unique perspectives on industry events and trends with his data-driven approach and stock picking talent. Carlo Santarelli graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. in Economics in 2000.
Peter Carlino, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GLPI, said: “We’ve known and respected Carlo’s research work on the gaming, lodging and gaming REIT sectors for many years. Carlo brings to GLPI an in-depth knowledge of the industry and its participants, having experienced GLPI’s original formation of the gaming triple-net-REIT structure from a research analyst and capital markets perspective. We value his deep network of contacts among institutional investors, sell-side analysts and a wide range of gaming industry operators and we look forward to the value of his contributions.”
In his new role, Mr. Santarelli will work with Mr. Carlino and GLPI’s senior management to develop and evaluate growth opportunities and strategic relationships, and will oversee investor relations interactions.
Industry News
VIP Play Announces Departure of Chief Financial Officer

VIP Play, a technology-driven leader in interactive consumer engagement, announced that Jim Mackey, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, will step down from his role, effective August 8, 2025.
The Company has initiated a transition process and is in the process of identifying a successor. Mackey will assist in an orderly transition over the coming weeks.
“We thank Jim for his contributions to the Company, particularly during a transformative period for our business. We remain focused on executing our strategic priorities, including financial visibility, operating efficiency, and delivering value to our stakeholders,” said Les Ottolenghi, CEO of VIP Play.
Latest News
BETBY LAUNCHES COMPREHENSIVE REPORT ON PERU’S REGULATED GAMBLING MARKET

BETBY, the premium supplier of cutting-edge sportsbook solutions, has published a detailed report titled “The Peruvian Breakthrough: A Market Ready for Takeoff”, offering a thorough analysis of the country’s newly regulated iGaming industry.
Following the implementation of Peru’s online gambling framework in 2024, this report explores the legislative transformation, market growth trends, and consumer behavior shaping one of Latin America’s most promising emerging markets.
The report covers several key aspects, including:
✅ Evolution of Peru’s gambling legislation and its impact on market structure and operator licensing;
✅ Market performance analysis, including land-based vs. online growth and mobile channel adoption;
✅ Economic indicators, such as GDP contribution, per capita GGR, and projected market size through 2030;
✅ Player profiles and betting behavior, with insights into frequency, motivations, and engagement across age and gender groups;
✅ Digital readiness, including mobile usage, internet speeds, and device preferences;
✅ Competitive landscape, with a breakdown of leading operators and changes in market share.
🔗 DOWNLOAD the report to discover strategic insights and unlock growth opportunities in Peru’s regulated gambling ecosystem.
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