Application period for casino license in Pope County opens soon

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Voters have waited five and a half years, but a gamble yet to pay off in Pope County may soon have a betting chance at breaking ground.

Monday, the Arkansas Racing Commission (ARC) relaunched the process to award a casino license to a potential applicant. Commissioners decided the application period will start on Sunday, May 12, and close on June 11. ARC is required to award and issue a casino license by July 24.

“With this, I shouldn’t ever predict, but that seems like a reasonable timeline,” Arkansas Racing Commission Chairman Alex Lieblong said.

Several companies could be looking for a seat at the table to construct a casino in Pope County. Official support from the county is required to be considered a valid application, and only the Pope Couty Quorum Court or Judge Ben Cross holds the cards.

Judge Cross says only Cherokee Nation Businesses who would construct Legends Casino and Resort have his support because they already own land, an office, and pay taxes to Pope County.

“They have a track record that is proven, and I am going to stick with a proven track record,” Judge Cross said.

Gulfside Casino Partnership is betting against Legends Casino. They hope to slot in with a Pope County Quorum Court resolution of support because the Russellville spot is located perfectly between Arkansas’ two largest population centers, Little Rock and Fayetteville.

“You build it, the people will come,” Denero Cook said.

Cook lives in Little Rock but travels the state regularly for entertainment. He says he’s visited other casinos and would visit Pope County’s once it is built.

“Go to a football game, or a basketball game, or a baseball game, you know you’re coming back home, so you’ve got something in between that you can stop by and maybe stay there overnight,” Cook said.

Gulfside Casino Partnership and Cherokee Nation Businesses have been at odds over this license since 2018.

In a statement shared Monday, Casey Castleberry, counsel for Gulfside Casino Partnership sent a statement saying:

“We appreciate the Arkansas Racing Commission (ARC) 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.”

Cherokee Nation Businesses CEO Chuck Garrett sent a statement saying:

“We appreciate the ongoing efforts of the Arkansas Racing Commission and Attorney General’s office to ensure a smooth process with respect to issuance of the Pope County casino license. Having obtained the exclusive support of Pope County Judge Ben Cross as required by Amendment 100 and a resolution of support from the Pope County Quorum Court, we anticipate being the sole qualified applicant. 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.”

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