Cherokee Nation Entertainment has officially applied for a casino license in Pope County, Arkansas. According to a report from the Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette, the company submitted the application to the state’s Department of Finance and Administration.
Mark Fulton, President of Cherokee Nation Entertainment, commented on the lengthy nature of the process, stating, “the submission is the latest step in a process that has gone on for over five years now.” Despite the ongoing efforts, the Tribe has faced several legal challenges in recent months.
Legal Hurdles and Support
Last fall, the Arkansas Supreme Court denied the Cherokee Nation’s bid to establish its Legends Resort and Casino. The court ruled against the Tribe in a 5 to 2 decision, blocking the $225 million casino project in Russellville, Arkansas. This decision upheld a lower court’s ruling that awarding a Pope County casino license to Legends Resort and Casino and Cherokee Nation Businesses “is in violation of the Arkansas Constitution’s Amendment 100.”
Despite this setback, the Cherokee Nation had previously received approval for a casino license from the Arkansas Racing Commission. Additionally, Pope County Judge Ben Cross has expressed his support for the Cherokee Nation’s casino license application. In a letter, Judge Cross stated his favor of the Arkansas Racing Commission granting the license to the Cherokee Nation, despite previous legal rulings against it.
The Cherokee Nation Entertainment’s efforts to secure a casino license in Pope County continue to face obstacles, but the support from local officials and the perseverance of the Tribe highlight their commitment to bringing a new gaming facility to the area.
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