Pope County, Arkansas, currently is known for its nuclear power plant, but soon could be known for its casino. (Image: Barry Hamilton/Alamy)

The Pope County Quorum Court rejected a resolution of support for Gulfside Casino Partnership’s proposal to build a casino near Russellville on Thursday night, potentially ending Gulfside’s hopes of winning the final available casino license in Arkansas.

The court voted 7-5 against supporting Gulfside, denying it a crucial letter of support that is required as a part of the license application process. 

Gulfside Promises to Honor Ballot Initiative 

In order to apply for the license, an operator must pay a $250,000 application fee and produce a letter of support from either the county judge or a resolution of support from the county’s quorum court. 

So far, the only entity to get such support is Cherokee Nation Entertainment (CNE), which has a letter dated May 15, 2024 from Pope County Judge Ben Cross. CNE included that letter in its application, which it submitted to the Arkansas Racing Commission on Wednesday. It also received a resolution of support from the Pope County Quorum Court in December, further strengthening its bid. 

Gulfside was attempting to complete its own application with its own resolution of support on Thursday. Justice of the Peace Lane Scott presented to the resolution during Thursday’s meeting of the quorum court despite being against having a casino in the county at all, saying that he felt Gulfside’s proposal was the best one available.

Scott noted that Gulfside has committed to not beginning construction until local voters have had the chance to weigh in via a ballot initiative, which could potentially scuttle any casino in the county. A group known as Local Voters in Charge is currently collecting signatures in an attempt to get an initiative on the statewide ballot during the Nov. 5 general election, one which would repeal authorization for a Pope County casino and require local votes on any future casinos.

“If given the license, [Gulfside] will not begin construction before our initiative goes on the ballot. Furthermore, if the initiative passes and a casino is removed from Pope County, they will honor the will of the voters,” Scott said, according to the Arkansas Advocate. “CNE has made no such commitments, and their actions have been the opposite of being a good community partner. In summary, Gulfside would run a casino, but CNE would run the county.”

Cherokee Nation Stands Alone in Casino Race

The decision leaves CNE as the clear favorite to win the one available casino license in Pope County. It seems likely to be the only entity to fully complete the application requirements, as the deadline for submitting applications is June 11. The Arkansas Racing Commission will then issue a license within 30 days. 

The Pope County casino licensing process has now been dragging on for nearly six years.

In 2020, the Arkansas Racing Commission awarded the Pope County casino license to Gulfside. However, that license was nullified following a court battle, as Gulfside’s letter of support was signed by a former Pope County Judge, not a currently serving official.

The license then went to the CNE partnership in 2021, which included both Cherokee Nation Businesses and Legends Resort Casino. But the Arkansas Supreme Court struck down that decision in October, as the state constitution requires casino licenses to be held by single entities.