Oklahoma Tribal Affiliate Applies To Operate Arkansas Casino

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — A subsidiary of the Oklahoma-based Cherokee Nation has filed an amended application to open a casino in Arkansas, either near Russellville or in Dover.

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports that Cherokee Nation Business submitted the application Friday to the Arkansas Racing Commission for a casino at one of the sites in Pope County. Cherokee Nation Business CEO Chuck Garrett said the applications add the endorsement of Pope County Judge Ben Cross.

Arkansas voters legalized casino gambling in 2018 at racetracks in Hot Springs and West Memphis and in Jefferson and Pope counties.

In Pope County, a lawsuit was filed by a Mississippi company whose application was previously rejected and another lawsuit challenges the county Quorum Court’s endorsement of Cherokee Nation Business.

The racing commission has said it will wait for the outcome of the lawsuits before considering Pope County casino applications.