Cherokee Nation's Arkansas Casino Facing Familiar Foes In Development Process

Gulfside Casino Partnership has again filed a lawsuit to block the development of such a casino after a failed attempt to be the developing party. If successful, the process that is already six years in the making could see further delays.

Gulfside Casino Partnership disputes casino license again

For the second time in the past five years, Gulfside Casino Partnership (GCP) has levied a lawsuit1 regarding a potential casino in Pope County, Arkansas. For the second time in the same time period, the Arkansas Racing Commission (ARC) did not award a license for that opportunity to GCP.

After accepting the license application of Cherokee Nation Entertainment (CNE) on June 12, the ARC voted on June 27 to award the license to CNE. GCP had also submitted an application but the ARC did not accept it, stating that it lacked a requisite letter of support for its plans from Pope County officials.

The Pope County Quorum voted down2 a similar resolution of support for GCP on June 7. Because of the decision to grant such support to CNE only, the Pope County Quorum Court and Pope County Judge Ben Cross are among the defendants in CGP’s lawsuit.

GCP argues in its complaint that its development plans for the casino3 represented a better deal for People County. As relief, GCP is asking the Pulaski County Circuit Court to void the resolution of support from Pope County.

That would effectively nullify the ARC’s act of awarding the license to CNE, as the Arkansas constitution requires such local support for casino licensees. It would also create a further delay in a drama that is already six years in the making. Already, there is a feeling of déjà vu.