Cherokee Nation Continues to Await Arkansas Casino Ruling in Pope County
Posted on: July 28, 2025, 01:29h.
Last updated on: July 28, 2025, 01:58h.
- A federal judge in Arkansas will soon decide if a casino is allowed in Pope County
- The Cherokee Nation wants to build a resort casino in Russellville
- A 2024 statewide referendum rescinded the Cherokee’s gaming privileges
Cherokee Nation Entertainment (CNE), a subsidiary of Cherokee Nation Businesses and the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, the largest of three federally recognized Cherokee tribes in the United States, continues to wait patiently for a critical ruling in Arkansas.
More than a year ago, CNE was deemed the lone qualified bidder for the Arkansas casino license in Pope County that was validated by state voters during a 2018 ballot referendum. After years of legal tussling that dealt with how the Arkansas Racing Commission qualified bids, with the crux of the matter based on whether a former county judge’s blessing of an application carried the same weight as the sitting county judge, a costly legal fight that eventually went the Cherokees’ way. A subsequent statewide ballot referendum last November rescinded the tribe’s commercial casino license for Russellville.
Issue 2, a campaign funded by the Choctaw Nation, a tribe that owns and operates the Choctaw Casino & Resort in Pocola, Okla., roughly 80 miles west of Russellville, asked voters during the 2024 presidential election if they thought gaming licenses should only be allocated for counties where voters have expressed support for slot machines, table games, and sports betting.
Issue 2 passed with 56% support. The outcome repealed the gaming license for Pope County because Pope County residents voted against the 2018 casino referendum.
Cherokees Turn Plaintiff
The Cherokees campaigned unsuccessfully against Issue 2 on claims that the Choctaw Nation was simply trying to keep competition at bay. In response to the referendum outcome, the Cherokees sued the state, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R), and the Arkansas Racing Commission.
The Cherokees allege that their constitutional rights were violated by the gaming license being revoked. Federal Judge D.P. Marshall Jr. in Arkansas’ Eastern District Court heard from both sides earlier this month.
Marshall said in March that he would likely render his judgment in April. More than three months later, there is still no verdict as to whether the Cherokees’ claims that the Issue 2 amendment should be rendered unconstitutional and its casino permit for Russellville be restored.
This lawsuit was filed against the state to reinstate the casino license or to be compensated for their economic losses in time and money in a seven-year casino project,” a CNE spokesperson told 101.7 FM. “It’s a complex case, and the judge reviewing this matter has a full docket, so we wait.”
CNE had planned to construct a $300 million casino resort called Legends Resort & Casino. The design included a casino with 1,200 slot machines, 32 table games, and a sportsbook. A 200-room hotel was to be complemented by various dining outlets, a full-service spa, a meeting and conference center, a resort pool, and an outdoor music venue.
Cherokee Operations
CNE’s portfolio of casinos and resorts includes Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa and nine casino properties under the Cherokee Casino brand. The Cherokees also own and operate the Gold Strike Casino Resort in Tunica, Miss.
The Mississippi endeavor was the tribe’s first bet outside the nation’s reservation and debut into commercial gaming. The company hopes to embark on a second commercial casino by way of Russellville, should Marshall rule in its favor.
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