LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Cherokee Nation Entertainment, which holds the Pope County casino license, filed a lawsuit Friday requesting an injunction to prevent the loss of its license. This action follows the passing of a state ballot measure, Issue 2, which requires local voter approval for casino licenses and removes the Pope County license. The measure, while passing statewide, failed in Pope County.
Cherokee Nation Entertainment argues that the ballot measure’s language was misleading and asserts that the measure was largely financed by the Choctaw Nation, which operates a competing casino across the Oklahoma border. According to the lawsuit, anti-casino factions in Pope County joined the litigation over the casino license, backed by the Choctaw Nation’s substantial resources.
The casino amendment, approved by voters in 2018, allowed for four casinos in Arkansas, including one in Pope County. However, while the other three casinos are operational, the Pope County location has faced multiple legal delays.
Cherokee Nation Entertainment is seeking a temporary restraining order to maintain its casino license, arguing that the amendment’s removal of the license contradicts the desire of Pope County voters and infringes on their property rights. They also allege that Issue 2 violates constitutional protections and threatens existing contracts. Bart Calhoun, legal counsel for Cherokee Nation Entertainment, stated that the amendment undermines legal rights and contractual obligations, and the company is prepared to pursue federal litigation to defend its interests.
The filing was submitted to the Eastern District of Arkansas federal court in Little Rock.
Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin responded, stating he is aware of the lawsuit and is prepared to “vigorously defend the State of Arkansas.”
