After nearly six years, two licensing attempts and numerous legal battles, the racing commission is making another attempt to award a license in Pope County, Ark. The Arkansas Joint Budget Committee approved the commission’s bidding process last month.
Previously, both Cherokee Nation Business and Gulfside Casino Partners have been awarded the Pope County casino license. Neither project came to fruition. Pope County was one of four locations approved by voters in 2018 under Amendment 100 to the Arkansas constitution. Two were approved to operate at existing racetracks in West Memphis and Hot Springs. The third license went to Jefferson County where the Quapaw Nation operates Saracen Casino Resort.
In 2020, the racing commission awarded the Pope County license to Gulfside Casino Partnership, but the license was revoked after it was contested in court. In 2021, the commission issued the license to a partnership between Cherokee Nation Businesses and Legends Resort Casino. However, the license was rejected by the Arkansas Supreme Court, which ruled that only a single entity could hold a gaming license under the state constitution.
Gulfside Casino Partnership and Cherokee Nation Businesses both announced plans to apply again.
In a statement, Gulfside Casino Partnership Counsel Casey Castleberry said, “Prior to the Arkansas Racing Commission deadline, we look forward to presenting our proposal to the Pope County Quorum Court and seeking a resolution of support.” Castleberry commented Gulfside has the best location, midway between Little Rock and Fayetteville.
Cherokee Nation Businesses Chief Executive Officer Chuck Garrett stated, “Having obtained the exclusive support of Pope County Judge Ben Cross as required by Amendment 100 and a resolution of support from the Pope County Quorum Court, we anticipate being the sole qualified applicant. We look forward to standing before the Arkansas Racing Commission where we will demonstrate our more than 30 years of experience in gaming and hospitality, as well as our plans for Legends Resort & Casino to be built in Russellville.” This time, CNB is expected to apply for the license as a single entity. Cross stated CNB “has a track record that is proven and I am going to stick with a proven track record.”
The applicants will be graded by each of the seven commission members, based on four criteria. Each commissioner can award up to 100 points per application, or up to 700 total. Applications will be ranked according to total scores.
Meanwhile, the group Local Voters In Charge has begun collecting signatures for a ballot initiative that would remove the racing commission from issuing the casino license and require a voter referendum. The group has until July 5 to collect the 90,700 valid signatures required to place the issue on the November ballot.
Spokesman Hans Stiritz said, “Unfortunately, Amendment 100 is flawed in that it left local voters out of the decision for a casino in their county and Pope County voted heavily against Amendment 100. It would be wrong to license and develop a casino without the direct support of local voters.”
