RALEIGH - During the past several months, Democratic Gov. Bev Perdue and Republican legislative leaders have fought about budgets, taxes, schools, economic development projects and social issues.

Oh, let's face it.

They've fought about most everything.

Don't expect the partisan bickering to go too far when it comes to the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians and their casino.

Money, after all, has a way of making friends of enemies.

There may be lots of greenbacks at stake here.

Since June, the Perdue administration, legislative leaders and tribal leaders have been trying to work out changes to the tribe's gambling compact that allows the casino.

Right now, the Harrah's Cherokee Casino and Hotel is permitted to operate only video gambling machines.

The Cherokees want table gambling.

Once the details are worked out, the tribe is likely to get what it wants.

According to the Associated Press, the tribe is offering the state up to 8.5 percent of gross revenues from the new table games in exchange for the state's agreement to alter the compact.

A draft proposal submitted by the tribe to Perdue's office and obtained by the AP shows that it wants to be named exclusive gaming operator in the state west of Interstate 95.

That demand has delayed a deal.

A proposal from the Perdue camp that the state get a cut of all casino revenue - including some from the current video gaming - has created a snag, too.

A deal will be worked out.

The money is too strong an incentive too ignore. If you haven't noticed lately, state government is a bit cash-starved these days.

Both Perdue and legislative leaders are bound to see the potential revenue stream for the state as a way to begin restoring cuts made in the current state budget.

Perdue, of course, positioned herself against the budgeting cutting, calling for a portion of a one-cent sales tax hike to be extended.

She ultimately vetoed the Republican-sponsored budget that allowed the sales tax hike to expire but cut public schools, universities and Medicaid.

Despite their portrayal as happy budget whackers (a portrait that may appeal to some of their core supporters), many legislative Republicans worry that another round of budget cutting will do them substantial political damage.

The state's take of casino revenue might not be huge immediately, but tens of millions of dollars are at stake.

The casino now takes in annual revenue of nearly $400 million.

The Cherokee also have been neither bashful nor selective in recent years when it comes to showering their good fortune on political candidates.

Their political action committee dropped four-figure contributions on a host of legislators of both parties in 2010.

In 2008, the PAC gave $100,000 to the state Democratic Party and $25,000 to the state Republican Party.

When tribal leaders talk, Perdue and legislators are going to listen, maybe even long enough to put off another round of partisan argument.