Cherokee Nation Strikes Back as Voters Challenge Its Arkansas Casino

Last week, voters in Arkansas approved a constitutional amendment that would revoke Cherokee Nation Entertainment’s license to build a casino in Pope County. The tribal company has now submitted a legal challenge to the amendment, hoping to retain its license.

If the company succeeds in blocking the amendment, it will be able to continue with its plan to construct a 50,000-square-foot casino with a 200-room hotel and various indoor and outdoor entertainment facilities.

The Vote Could Spell the End of the Tribe’s Arkansas Casino Plans

Last week’s vote passed Issue 2, effectively putting Cherokee Nation Entertainment’s Legends Resort and Casino in Pope County on a death row. Issue 2 would furthermore require future casino licenses to be approved by local voters instead of by local officials.

While the casino had a significant number of local supporters, the statewide vote ended up passing the amendment.

Issue 2 was a significant blow to the casino supporters, including Judge Ben Cross who was a fervent backer of the project. He was especially bewildered by the vote, since 55.6% of the local residents voted in favor of the casino, only to have their decision offset by other voters across the state.

In any case, Cherokee Nation Entertainment expressed a firm commitment to protecting its constitutional rights and filed a lawsuit against the measure.

Cherokee Nation Entertainment Will Protect Its Rights

The lawsuit was filed on Friday and alleges that Issue 2 violates Cherokee Nation Entertainment’s constitutional rights. As a result, the tribal company hopes to block the constitutional amendment from taking effect on November 13.

The casino company emphasized that it has made significant investments based on good faith and intends to defend its right to construct a casino, as per the approval from 2018.

The lawsuit comes after a failed attempt to remove Issue 2 from the November ballot.

In the meantime, opponents of the casino called the lawsuit an expected attempt to bypass the voters’ decision. However, Local Voters in Charge, a campaign backed by the rival Choctaw Nation, expressed confidence that Issue 2 will be upheld.

In the meantime, attorney general Tim Griffin called Cherokee Nation Entertainment’s lawsuit “baseless” and expressed a firm desire to defend the decision.