Arkansas Racing Commission defers vote on new Pope County casino license process

KUAR | By Hunter Field / Arkansas Advocate

From the Arkansas Advocate:

The issuance of Arkansas’ fourth and final casino license will be delayed — again — likely for months.

And if the litigious history of the Pope County casino permit is a guide, the wait could be far longer.

The Arkansas Racing Commission, which oversees the state’s casinos, met for a half hour on Wednesday, but it took no action, instead deciding to study a set of proposed rule changes until next week.

Arkansas Racing Commission defers vote on new Pope County casino license process

Legends Resort & Casino

A rendering of Legends Resort & Casino in Pope County.

Judge voids Pope County casino license granted to Cherokee Nation

by Talk Business and Politics (staff@talkbusiness.net)

The contentious path to building a casino in Pope County took yet another turn Thursday (Jan. 12) when Pulaski County Circuit Court Judge Tim Fox ruled that Arkansas officials “unconstitutionally” granted a casino license to Cherokee Nation Businesses.

Gulfside Casino Partnership had appealed a November 2021 decision by the Arkansas Racing Commission to grant the Pope County license to Cherokee Nation Businesses and its Legends Resort and Casino company.

The Cherokee Nation proposal was approved in a narrow 3-2 Racing Commission vote after the Arkansas Supreme Court ruled ineligible the Gulfside Casino Partnership proposal in late October 2021. The state’s high court ruled that Gulfside did not have an official letter from an elected official during the active part of the application process, while Cherokee Nation did.

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/01/judge-voids-pope-county-casino-license-granted-to-cherokee-nation/

Signatures submitted for recreational marijuana measure, Pope County casino repeal

by Marine Glisovic (msglisovic@sbgtv.com)

Two ballot titles were turned in Friday (July 8) to the Arkansas Secretary of State’s (SOS) office. If certified, Arkansas voters will vote on two questions, with one related to recreational marijuana, and the other involving a planned casino in Pope County.

The signatures must first be certified by the SOS. It takes 89,151 valid signatures for an item to be approved for the ballot.

Friday morning, the group behind the adult use marijuana proposal, Responsible Growth for Arkansas, submitted more than 190,000 petition signatures and ballot title for certification. According to the filing made with the SOS, former state legislator and former Democratic Party of Arkansas official Eddie Armstrong is listed as the chairman of the group.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/07/signatures-submitted-for-recreational-marijuana-measure-pope-county-casino-repeal/

Daniel Breen/KUAR News

Steve Lancaster, attorney for Responsible Growth Arkansas, submits paperwork to Leslie Bellamy (left), director of elections for the Arkansas Secretary of State's office, and Shantell McGraw (center), assistant director of elections.

Arkansas Racing Commission moves forward with Cherokee Nation casino license in Pope County

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

The Arkansas Racing Commission on Friday (Nov. 12) accepted the application and $250,000 filing fee from Cherokee Nation Businesses to move forward on a casino license in Pope County.

The motion passed on a 3-2 vote with two commissioners not participating. The Cherokee Nation proposal was deemed qualified after the Arkansas Supreme Court ruled ineligible the Gulfside Casino Partnership proposal in late October. The state’s high court previously ruled that Gulfside did not have an official letter from an elected official during the active part of the application process, while Cherokee Nation did.

There is still separate litigation pending that could affect the eligibility of the Cherokee Nation license, but it may not be resolved for months.

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/11/arkansas-racing-commission-moves-forward-with-cherokee-nation-casino-license-in-pope-county/

John Amatucci/Cherokee Nation

A Cherokee Nation casino in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma. The business was issued a license Friday by the Arkansas Racing Commission.

Arkansas Supreme Court rules for Cherokee Nation in Pope County casino case

KUAR | By Roby Brock / Talk Business & Politics

The Arkansas Supreme Court on Thursday ruled in favor of the Cherokee Nation Businesses and against Gulfside Casino Partnership in a long-running controversial series of legal and regulatory challenges to place a casino in Pope County.

The dispute arises from actions taken soon after voters approved The Arkansas Casino Gaming Amendment, which requires the Racing Commission to issue licenses to Oaklawn Jockey Club in Hot Springs, Southland Racing Corporation in West Memphis, and to entities in Pope County and Jefferson County.

The high court’s ruling in Cherokee Nation Businesses and Arkansas Racing Commission vs. Gulfside Casino Partnership focused on which entity was a legal applicant for a casino license.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2021-10-21/arkansas-supreme-court-rules-for-cherokee-nation-in-pope-county-casino-case

The Arkansas Supreme Court

Jay Winters ‘A Man of Great Integrity, Character,’ Governor Hutchinson Says of Former Sheriff, ACIC Director

LITTLE ROCK – Jay Winters, a former director of the Arkansas Crime Information Center who died Tuesday, June 1, was one of only three agency directors that Governor Asa Hutchinson asked to stay on for his administration.

Mr. Winters, whose 19 years as sheriff of Pope County was the longest term in county history, stepped down as director of the ACIC in October 2017. When Mr. Winters resigned for health reasons, Governor Hutchinson praised him for his integrity and character.

“I want to thank Jay – a man of great integrity and character – for the incredible work he has done at ACIC through the years,” Governor Hutchinson said. “After I was elected governor in 2014, Jay was one of three agency directors that I asked to stay on. His continued stellar service confirms he was the right person for the job, and his service to our state will be missed.” 

Governor Hutchinson reiterated his admiration for Mr. Winters upon learning of his death.

“Jay Winters served his community and state with dedication and professionalism,” Governor Hutchinson said. “I was privileged to have Jay serve in my administration as director of the Arkansas Crime Information Center. I knew Jay as a law enforcement professional and also as a man who loved his family and community. He will be greatly missed.”