Arkansas Attorney General Assists Gaming Regulators on Pope Casino

Arkansas Attorney General backs gambling regulators at Pope Casino

The office of Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin (R) will assist the Arkansas Racing Commission (ARC) in figuring out how to resolve the ongoing legal dispute surrounding Pope County’s failure to issue a casino license.

The Arkansas Supreme Court (ARC) declined to hear an appeal by Cherokee Nation Enterprises earlier this month. The company, owned by the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, challenged a lower court judge's ruling that ARC acted improperly in issuing a permit for the Cherokee's planned project in Russellville, Legends Resort & Casino. , the project is the only one in the United States. The county made a mistake with its gaming concessions.

The state court system found that the Cherokee violated the precept rules established in a November 2018 statewide gambling referendum. Voters voted to allow commercial casinos in four counties: Crittenden, Garland, Jefferson and Pope, through a proposal in partnership with the newly formed company Legends Resort & Casino, LLC.

Although the Cherokees own Legends LLC outright, Pulaski County Judge Tim Fox said the referendum allows the ARC to consider competitive bids only from individual companies that have demonstrated capabilities in operating a commercial casino. Fox said Legend had no experience operating a casino other than applying as a multiple company and was disqualified.

AG intervenes

At Friday’s ARC meeting, Chairman Alex Lieblong told fellow commissioners that staff from Griffin’s office will provide legal clarification to the horse racing and gambling regulator on Wednesday, January 24. Libron said the meeting will be educational and there will be no vote on the county license.

I hope everyone can listen and ask questions if you want, but then give yourself some time to think before we continue because then you're going to get hammered from all other directions. ” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports.

Last year's ruling, and its confirmation by the state Supreme Court, was a major setback for the Legends. In a separate lawsuit, the Cherokees were apparently considered the only qualified bidders for the concession.

The Cherokees filed an objection in state court, saying another bidder for the Pope Casino license — a Mississippi-based company called Gulfside Casino Partnership that owns and operates two riverboats — also violated the 2018 referendum rules as he failed to get approval for the Pope Casino. Acting for Pope County Judge or Pope County Bench.

Gulfside's attorney, Casey Castleberry, said recently that the company will continue to pursue an Arkansas casino license. Clarification from the Racing Board on the next round of tenders is awaited.

Legendary Recommendation

The Cherokees are proposing to build a $300 million casino resort with 50,000 square feet of gaming space, 1,200 slot machines, 32 gaming tables and a sportsbook. Highlights of the resort include a 200-room hotel, spa, multiple restaurants and bars, 15,000 square feet of event space, resort pool and outdoor music venue.

The destination is expected to attract 1.1 million visitors annually and generate an economic impact of more than $3.15 billion over 10 years. Legends Casino & Resort will employ approximately 1,750 people and support more than 21,000 jobs through direct and indirect employment in Pope County and surrounding communities, the Cherokee added.

If the project is ultimately successful in obtaining a Pope County gaming license, the Cherokees plan to hire Legends Hospitality as a strategic partner to operate the resort. Legends is co-owned by billionaire Jerry Jones, an Arkansas native and owner of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys.