LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Cherokee Nation Entertainment initiated a legal challenge on Friday against a recent constitutional amendment that Arkansas voters endorsed earlier this week, which revokes the company’s license for a proposed casino in the region.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court, contends that the amendment approved during Tuesday’s elections infringes on the company’s constitutional rights. The legal action aims to prevent the amendment from being enforced prior to its implementation, which is set for November 13. This amendment specifically targets and prohibits a casino that was proposed for Pope County.
Pope County was identified as one of four locations where casino construction was permissible under an amendment that voters ratified back in 2018. Casinos have already been successfully established in the other three designated areas.
“In defending our rights, Cherokee Nation Entertainment remains steadfast in protecting its constitutionally guaranteed rights and our licensed casino investment in Pope County, which was secured under Amendment 100 in 2018,” stated Bart Calhoun, the legal representative for Cherokee Nation Entertainment.
This lawsuit represents the ongoing and expensive conflict between the Cherokee Nation and Oklahoma’s Choctaw Nation. The two groups collectively spent around $30 million campaigning around the recent ballot initiative. Last month, the state Supreme Court declined a request from the Cherokee Nation seeking to remove the ballot measure from consideration.
Hans Stiritz, spokesperson for Local Voters in Charge, a campaign endorsed by the Choctaw Nation supporting the amendment, commented, “This attempt to challenge the decision of Arkansas voters was anticipated. Nevertheless, we have complete confidence in the procedures that led to Issue 2 being placed on the ballot. The voters of Arkansas have made their choice regarding Issue 2, and we expect that choice to be upheld.”
Additionally, Attorney General Tim Griffin labeled the lawsuit as “without merit” and expressed his readiness to defend the state vigorously.
The newly proposed amendment not only removes the authorization for the Pope County casino from the state constitution but also stipulates that future casino licenses will necessitate approval from the voters residing in the respective county. Under current law, applicants for casino licenses must obtain endorsements from local officials.
Cherokee Nation Entertainment has laid out plans for a large, 50,000-square-foot casino located northeast of Russellville, approximately 60 miles northwest of Little Rock. The envisioned project also includes a 200-room hotel, a conference center, and an outdoor venue for music events.