The recent court ruling has placed a significant roadblock in the path of Cherokee Nation Entertainment (CNE) regarding their ambitious plans for a $325 million resort casino in Russellville, Pope County, Arkansas. This decision by US District Judge D.P. Marshall Jr. halts progress by upholding a crucial voter-approved amendment from 2024, known as Issue 2, which revoked CNE’s casino license. Crucially, this ruling mandates countywide approval for any future casino projects, solidifying Arkansas’ position on controlling gaming under their amended constitution. This outcome signifies a substantial setback for CNE, which had already invested approximately $60 million in the Pope County project over the past seven years.
State officials have expressed approval of the decision, emphasizing state sovereignty over gaming regulations. Attorney General Tim Griffin asserted that the ruling upholds the Arkansas Racing Commission’s role in supervising commercial casino licensing. Despite this unfavorable outcome, CNE remains cautiously optimistic and is exploring potential avenues for an appeal. The group has been involved in a protracted legal battle since 2018 over the casino license, which culminated in a contested license that was ultimately nullified by a statewide vote. The amendment had a strong public backing, evidenced by the 56% voter approval
The saga of the Pope County casino project stretches back several years, marked by intense legal battles and competitive bids, particularly after Arkansas voters amended the state constitution in 2018 to permit four casinos in distinct counties, including Jefferson, Crittenden, Garland, and Pope. While Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma finally secured the license in 2024, the controversial nature of the project led to its swift revocation via the 2024 amendment. Judge Marshall highlighted that although CNE’s property investments have depreciated, the amendment did not constitute an unjust seizure of property or a punitive action against the tribe. Instead, he noted that any related financial claims should be addressed through state channels rather than federal courts, further complicating CNE’s path forward.
Opposition to the Cherokee Nation’s plans, significantly backed by the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, which operates competitive casinos near the Arkansas border, played a pivotal role in the passage of the 2024 amendment. With over half of Arkansas voters standing against the Pope County casino, the Cherokee Nation now faces a crucial decision point. They must ponder whether they will continue legal proceedings or relinquish what has become one of the state’s most contentious gambling disputes. As the other three casinos authorized by the 2018
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