The budget for the expansion project is $275 million, which is about double as much as it was initially invested in the property so the project will be a major upgrade to the casino. The One Feather reported that on September 29 ground was broken for a project that is going to further develop and expand Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel, which is owned by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and is being operated by Caesars Entertainment. The New Expansion Will Be a Major Upgrade of the Valley River Casino An expansion project for the Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel in Murphy, North Carolina, worth $275 million commenced on September 29 following the casino’s 7 th anniversary.