Ongoing Battle in Pope County as Casino License Loser Files Lawsuit Against State Authority
The saga surrounding the Pope County casino project in Arkansas has taken another turn, with Cherokee Nation Entertainment (CNE) filing a lawsuit against the state. The lawsuit stems from the repeal of the casino license that CNE received from the Arkansas Racing Commission in June 2024.
The license was granted under Amendment 104, a 2018 vote that allowed for four state casinos, one of which was to be in Pope County. However, in a move that has left CNE questioning the constitutionality of the process, Arkansas voters approved Issue 2 in November 2024, which overturned the Pope County casino license granted to CNE.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court, argues that Issue 2 is unconstitutional because it revoked a license lawfully issued under Amendment 104. The Cherokee Nation contends that the license was granted in good faith following the 2018 amendment vote.
The lawsuit is seeking to regain the license to build the $300 million Legends Resort Casino in Russellville, Arkansas. The project, if developed, is estimated to generate an economic activity of approximately $5 billion in the region over its first decade.
The legal proceedings involve both federal and state courts, and decisions pending from the Arkansas Racing Commission are also part of the ongoing dispute.
In essence, the lawsuit centres on whether Issue 2’s repeal of the previously authorized casino license violates the constitutional and legal rights of Cherokee Nation Entertainment, which had a valid license under the earlier Amendment 104.
[1] Source: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock, Arkansas
