A Casino May Be Coming to Sevierville in the Near Future

A rumored casino may be on its way to Sevierville after Cherokee land purchase

Is a casino on its way to the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee? I wouldn’t bet against it. The Tennessee Smokies are leaving Sevier County and returning to East Knoxville. Thus, a rather prominent piece of real estate is sitting empty in Kodak, on the West side of I-40. What’s going to happen? That’s the multi-million-dollar question. There were rumors that the Savannah Bananas were interested in bringing their Harlem Globetrotter baseball style to Sevier County with an expansion team. However, a Bananas spokesperson told us nothing was on the horizon.

However, the picture just got a little clearer this week. Three entities responded to Sevier County’s Industrial Development Board seeking a developer to reimagine the sight. One of the three was Kituwah LLC, an economic development group representing the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Among many other businesses, Kituwah, LLC operates casinos in Western North Carolina.

Did the Cherokee purchase the Smokies Stadium location?

No, not yet. Allen Newton, executive director of the Sevier County Economic Development Council, told the Mountain Press that they’d received three responses to the RFQ, a Request for Quote. Per the RFQ, the city of Sevierville and Sevier County, which split ownership of the site, 70-30 percent are seeking developers to come in and redevelop the valuable site.

One of the proposals was from the TORG Real Estate Group, or The Outlet Real Estate Group. So, while we don’t yet know what was in the RFQ, we can make an educated guess. Another proposal was from Schaad Brown Real Estate Brokerage & Management. Again, we don’t know what was in the RFQ. But per its website, Schaad Brown is a “national, single-tenant build-to-suit developer providing in-house real estate development, design, and construction management services. We specialize in turnkey, single-tenant projects.” The slideshow on the website shows strip malls and standalone franchises like Advance Auto Parts and Dollar General. I don’t want to go out on a limb here, but I’m not sure the baseball stadium site fits their model. 

The other proposal was from Kituwah. As with the others, we do not currently know if the Kituwah proposal would include a casino. It should be noted that Kituwah LLC was formed to help the Eastern Band of Cherokee diversify its portfolio after it was already heavily in the casino business. Kituwah’s mission has not previously been to locate and build more casinos.

Is there an official discussion of a casino?

I think a casino is not out of the question. In 2019, the Cherokee purchased 48 acres of a 120-acre lot that abuts the current stadium location. That year the Knoxville News Sentinel reported that there had been no official discussion of putting a casino on that site. But speculation was rampant. I was told by a source – who not connected with the Eastern Band of Cherokees – that if the Smokies left the stadium, it would eventually become a parking lot for a Cherokee Casino on that land.

I want to say for the record, I don’t think the Kituwah RFQ is the type to “pave it and put up a parking lot.” Also, in the five years since that purchase, Kituwah bought a massive piece of land across the interstate. It’s where Buc-ee’s and a new hotel have been located. Plans announced for the project – Exit 407: Gateway to Adventure – included shopping, dining, lodging and a partnership with European Theme Park Company Puy du Fou. The concept was to build a historic attraction based on heroism performed by members of the Cherokee Nation in World War I. 

However, earlier this year, it was announced Phase 1 of the project had been delayed. What was the cause for the delay? Was it so Kituwah or its business partners could focus on a plan across the interstate? And if so? What would be profitable enough to delay the other project that already had a head of steam? Maybe it’s my Buc-ee’s Carnival Land idea come to life. Or maybe it’s a casino. 

Is a casino a real possibility?

Yes, at least in my opinion, it is an inevitability. But that inevitable future may be a long time coming. In addition to the two casinos in Cherokee, North Carolina, there is now a Hard Rock Casino just across the state line in Bristol, Virginia. That is three casinos within less than an hour and a half drive from Sevier County when the interstates through the mountains are open. That is a lot of tax dollars leaving the state of Tennessee and going to our neighbors. Eventually, that will sway the state legislature, which has already taken baby steps toward legalized gambling.

While casinos remain outlawed in Tennessee, the legislature bowed to public pressure to allow online gaming and sports betting within the state’s borders. Add changes to distillery laws and a serious push for legalized marijuana and the so-called “sin” laws have been losing ground.

But would the people of Tennessee allow gambling?

I could see it simply because we’ve had illicit gambling for years in remote areas. I don’t think anybody would be too shocked if decided to allow a couple of legal gaming establishments. But it wouldn’t happen anytime soon. I haven’t heard any rumblings of the legislature being asked to take up the issue. It will take some finagling to get those who represent more conservative districts on board. And then there are the logistics of the required demolition and building of the gaming facility.

It seems to me – and this is pure speculation – the availability of the stadium land might spur the project forward into something that could happen in the next decade. If, however, the Economic Development Council picks either of the non-Kituwah options, the Cherokee might have to choose which side of the interstate it wants to develop first.

If the Kituwah RFQ is chosen, I don’t believe it’s going to announce plans to build a casino. It would – in my opinion – be some kind of convention center-type building with hotel rooms, restaurants and a concert venue of some kind. But it would be something that can be converted easily once the legislature clears a legal path for casino gaming. 

When will we know? It’s hard to say. But we’re expecting the winner of the RFQ to be announced in mid-December and hopefully, the contents of the proposal will be released at that time.

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