Arkansas Racing Commission opens new application period for Pope County casino license

The Arkansas Racing Commission has announced the commencement of a fresh 30-day application period for the state's fourth and final casino.

Following a decision made during Monday's meeting, applicants for the Pope County casino license are required to submit both digital and paper copies of their applications by June 11, Arkansas Advocate reported. A statewide notice will be published in Sunday's newspaper, with May 13 designated as the first day for the commission office to accept applications.

Under new regulations drafted by the commission and sanctioned by lawmakers last month, a formal closure of the application period necessitates a commission meeting. Accordingly, commissioners have scheduled a meeting for June 12 to fulfill this requirement.

This development marks the commission's third attempt in five years to issue a permit in Pope County, subsequent to legal challenges surrounding previous applications. Notably, court rulings nullified two prior versions of licenses granted to Gulfside Casino Partnership and Cherokee Nation Business/Legends Resort & Casino.

“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,” Casey Castleberry, counsel for Gulfside Casino Partnership, said in a statement, as per the report.

Cherokee Nation Businesses CEO Chuck Garrett has expressed appreciation for the collaborative efforts of the commission and the Arkansas Attorney General's office in ensuring a streamlined process for license issuance.

“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," Garrett said. “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.”

In 2018, state voters endorsed Amendment 100 to the Arkansas Constitution, permitting the operation of four casinos. The first two licenses were designated for the existing racetracks in West Memphis (Southland) and Hot Springs (Oaklawn). The third license was swiftly granted in Jefferson County, with local support for the Quapaw Nation leading to the establishment of Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Bluff.

The issuance of the Pope County license has been a unique process, marked by local opposition to the casino and the interest of multiple operators in the license. Local Voters in Charge, a ballot question committee established in January, is actively pursuing a ballot initiative aimed at repealing authorization for a casino and casino gaming in Pope County. Additionally, the initiative seeks to mandate a local option vote for potential future casino locations.

Attorney General Tim Griffin, in March, amended and approved the proposed popular name and ballot title of the committee, paving the way for supporters to commence signature collection. The deadline for collecting 90,704 signatures from registered voters to qualify for a statewide vote on the Nov. 5 general election ballot is July 5.

Despite opposition, the Pope County casino has garnered support from groups such as Investing in Arkansas, a new ballot question committee. According to paperwork filed with the Arkansas Ethics Commission, the committee aims to advocate for the protection of Arkansas Amendment 100 and promote continued investments and economic development benefits facilitated by the amendment.

The committee is chaired by Jennifer McGill, community relations specialist for Cherokee Nation Businesses, with Ghidotti Communications president and CEO Natalie Ghidotti serving as vice chair, and Cale Turner from Bi-Partisan Strategies as treasurer.