Cherokees Await Ruling on Arkansas Casino License Battle

The Cherokee Nation is still waiting for a crucial court decision that could determine the future of a long-delayed casino project in Pope County, Arkansas.

More than a year ago, Cherokee Nation Entertainment (CNE), the gaming and hospitality arm of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, received exclusive rights to build a casino in Pope County after it was deemed the only qualified applicant by the Arkansas Racing Commission. 

The decision came amid seven years of legal disagreements over the bid process, which tried to establish if a former county judge’s endorsement would carry the same legal weight as that of a sitting judge. Ultimately, the Cherokees came out with flying colors out of that dispute.

Their victory, however, was short-lived. 

In November 2024, Arkansas voters passed Issue 2, a ballot initiative backed by the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, owners of a competing casino 80 miles away, which amended the state constitution to revoke Pope County’s casino license. 

The measure passed with 56% of the votes, putting an end to the tribe’s bold plans.

“It’s a Complex Case”

CNE decided to push back by filing a lawsuit against the state, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, and the Arkansas Racing Commission. 

The tribe believes that its constitutional rights were violated when its license was removed following years of effort and millions of dollars injected in the project.

“This lawsuit was filed against the state to reinstate the casino license or to be compensated for their economic losses in time and money in a seven-year casino project,” a CNE spokesperson told 101.7 FM. “It’s a complex case, and the judge reviewing this matter has a full docket, so we wait.”

Judge D.P. Marshall Jr. will now rule the federal case in Arkansas’ Eastern District Court. Although the judge previously hinted that a ruling would likely come in April, more than three months have passed without a decision.

Russellville Casino Would Host 1,200 Slot Machines

If allowed to proceed, the Cherokees plan to build the $300 million Legends Resort & Casino in Russellville. The proposed venue would include 1,200 slot machines, 32 table games, a sportsbook, a 200-room hotel, restaurants, a full-service spa, a conference center, and an outdoor entertainment venue.

CNE currently operates the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa and nine other Cherokee-branded casinos in Oklahoma, as well as the Gold Strike Casino Resort in Tunica, Mississippi, its first venture outside tribal land. 

The Russellville project would mark its second foray into commercial gaming.