“Just as the Racing Commission selected our superior application in 2020 in a head-to-head with Legends, we look forward to demonstrating again to county leaders and residents how our proposed world-class resort will benefit them and the entire state,” outlined Castleberry in a statement. He explained that the company is delighted that the higher court upheld the ruling of the circuit judge from 2021 that recognized Legends cannot qualify for a license in Pope County. The Race for Casino License ContinuesĬasey Castleberry, an attorney representing Gulfside Casino Partnership, one of the rival applicants for a Pope Casino license, was happy about the latest ruling of the Arkansas Supreme Court. As a result, the gambling regulator in the state would have to issue a new license for the Pope County casino location. In other words, the casino license was deemed unconstitutional.Ĭonsidering the recent decision of the Arkansas Supreme Court, it is likely that this marks the final part of this legal battle.

This effectively confirmed that the license was issued in breach of Amendment 100 of the Arkansas Constitution. Now, the Arkansas Supreme Court upheld the circuit judge’s ruling against the gambling regulator about the license issued to Legends and Cherokee Nation business. This came after Legends Resort and Casino, a company created by the Cherokee Nation, along with Cherokee Nation Business, jointly secured a license for the fourth location.Īlthough the license was greenlighted by the Arkansas Racing Commission, it was struck down in 2021 by a Pulaski County circuit judge.

While three resorts were already built, the license for the fourth casino was involved in a years-long legal battle. In 2018, voters in Arkansas approved the creation of four casinos under a constitutional amendment.

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