As of January 22, the Arkansas Racing Commission had received 15 letters commenting on a draft rule proposed for four casinos in the state. Voters approved Amendment 100 in November allowing the casinos in Pope and Jefferson Counties, and at Oaklawn Racing and Gaming in Hot Springs and Southland Gaming and Racing in West Memphis, which both have electronic gaming.
The 15 letters all come from Pope County and are split on whether endorsements of the proposed casinos should come from former or current elected officials. The amendment required that the Pope and Jefferson counties casinos include letters of support from either the county judge or the Quorum Court, plus the mayor if the casino would be built within city limits in those counties. Eight of the letters said those requirements were satisfied by letters from the then-Pope County Judge Jim Ed Gibson and then-Russellville Mayor Randy Horton. Just days before their terms ended, they endorsed a proposal by Mississippi-based Gulfside Partnership for a $254 million hotel and casino in Russellville.
Seven letters supported a recent change to the draft rules, specifying the endorsements must come from current officeholders at the time of application for a casino license. Newly elected County Judge Ben Cross and Russellville Mayor Richard Harris have said they will not support a casino in Pope County. In November, Pope County voters rejected Amendment 100 and also passed a local ordinance requiring the county judge or the Quorum Court to hold a local election to allow voters if they want a casino.
Gulfside attorney Casey Castleberry said, “As we continue to provide details about our plans to provide high-paying jobs, tax benefits and philanthropic support, we hope others in the community will welcome us to the River Valley region.”
The Arkansas Racing Commission advertised a notice of the draft of the proposed rules in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette three times and published the notice on the Arkansas Secretary of State’s website. Scott Hardin, spokesman for the state Department of Finance and Administration, which oversees the Racing Commission, said the comments will give commissioners “an opportunity to review and consider this information” prior to a public hearing on February 21. Written comments still may be submitted to the commission through February 18 or individuals may comment at the hearing. “We encourage Arkansans to continue providing input as it is a valuable component of the process,” Hardin said.
