The Arkansas Racing Commission is requesting bids on the Pope County casino license, the final of four that is still available. However, the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma is crying foul, claiming they are the only bidder qualified to be granted the license under rules already established.
Let’s take a closer look at the bid and how it may impact top-rated sportsbooks in the region.
Pope County Controversy
This will be the third bidding period established for the final casino license available in the state after Arkansas voters approved casino gaming in four counties via a referendum question in 2018. Three of those four licenses have been awarded with casinos already open in Crittenden (Southland Casino in West Memphis), Garland (Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in Hot Springs) and Jefferson (Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Bluff).
However, the Pope County license has been stuck in neutral after legal issues brought the other two previous attempts to a halt. The new application period runs from May 12th to June 11th and some are pleased with the new opportunity.
Casey Castleberry, counsel for Gulfside Casino Partnership, a Mississippi-based gaming firm, said: “We appreciate the Arkansas Racing Commission making it clear the application period will open Sunday and close on June 12. Prior to the ARC’s deadline, we look forward to presenting our proposal to the Pope County Quorum Court and seeking a resolution of support.”
Poker Faces and Legal Aces
However, the odds-on favorite to be granted the license, the Cherokee Nation Businesses (CNB), saw their latest bid disqualified by the Arkansas Supreme Court in January because they had applied for the license in tandem with a newly established entity called Legends Resort & Casino, LLC.
Nevertheless, one of the requirements for obtaining the license in Pope County stated that the winning bidder must have the endorsement of the sitting Pope County Judge and the Pope County Quorum Court, which the Cherokee Nation has successfully obtained. Therefore, the tribal nation is arguing they are the only legitimate bidder for the available license.
“Having obtained the exclusive support of Pope County Judge Ben Cross as required … and a resolution of support from the Pope County Quorum Court, we anticipate being the sole qualified applicant,” said Cherokee Nation Businesses CEO Chuck Garrett. “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.”
Will of the People
If a newly formed PAC group, Local Voters in Charge, has its way the bidding process will be rendered moot. Although Arkansas voters approved four casinos in the state, those in Pope County were in the minority and voted against it. In other words, a fourth casino can be built but “not in my backyard”, says the PAC group representing Pope County.
To facilitate this, the Local Voters in Charge campaign seeks to repeal the Pope County casino license and move it anywhere but Pope County. The group needs 90,704 registered voters’ signatures to advance their cause to November’s ballot where a referendum would once again allow the voters to decide.
However, there is an opposing group, Investing in Arkansas, spending millions of dollars to convince the public not to sign the petition and allow the bidding process to unfold in Pope County.
“Don’t be fooled. Refuse to sign the casino repeal,” the Investing in Arkansas campaign website reads. “The proposed constitutional amendment would undo the will of the voters and cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue.”
