The Arkansas Racing Commission recently voted 3-2 to issue a casino license to Cherokee Nation Business, which would build and operate a casino in Pope County. That’s the last of four casinos voters authorized under a 2018 constitutional amendment. Earlier the commission awarded the gaming license to Mississippi-based Gulfside Casino Partnership, but this action voids that license.
Last month. the Arkansas Supreme Court ruled Gulfside did not meet the state’s qualifications; specifically, it said endorsements for a casino license must come from elected local officials holding office at the time of the gaming license application. CNB, which operates 10 casinos in Oklahoma, had the backing of the Pope County judge. Gulfside had submitted its application in 2019 with an endorsement letter from Pope County’s former judge.
Cherokee Nation Businesses CEO Chuck Garrett stated, “We are eager to put forth our large-scale development plans to the Russellville Planning Commission, and ultimately, for litigation to come to an end so that we can proceed with construction.”
However, Gulfside attorney Lucas Rowan cited the pending court cases against CNB and questioned whether Legends Resort and Casino LLC, the company set up by the Cherokee Nation to develop and operate the casino, actually qualified for the license. Rowan said, “Legends has no casino gaming experience and, therefore, is not a qualified applicant This issue is pending in circuit court, and we expect it will be resolved through the legal system.”
In 2018, Arkansas voters approved an amendment allowing allow four casinos. Since then, casinos have opened at racetracks in Hot Springs, West Memphis and Pine Bluff.
