- The Arkansas Racing Commission will soon select a company to build a casino in Pope County.
- Sunday, May 12 marks the opening of the application period and it closes on June 11.
- Gulfside Casino Partnership and Cherokee National Businesses are the two main competitors for the casino license, which must be issued by July 24.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Arkansas Racing Commission reopened their casino license award process for potential applicants. After a five and a half year wait, voters in Pope County may finally get to play blackjack at a local casino in the near future.
The application window opens on Sunday and closes on June 11. The Arkansas Racing Commission (ARC) must issue a casino license to one of their applicants by July 24.
Two Arkansas Companies Competing For Pope County Casino License
There are several companies that want a shot at building a casino in Pope County since Russellville is in between Arkansas’ two most populated cities, Fayetteville and Little Rock. However, it’s likely a two-man race between Cherokee National Businesses and Gulfside Casino Partnership.
The two companies have fought over this license and access to Arkansas blackjack since 2018, causing the massive delay in bringing a casino to Pope County. However, Pope County judge Ben Cross has already said he would only support the Cherokee Nation Businesses since they own land and pay taxes to Pope County with their office location, among other reasons.
“They have a track record that is proven, and I am going to stick with the proven track record,” said Judge Cross when asked by media. Official support from the county is required for a valid application, so Gulfside Casino Partnership will need the help from a Pope County Quorum Court resolution of support to be considered for the casino license.
Cherokee Nation Businesses believe they’re the sole qualified applicant in the race, which would mean a Legends Resort & Casino would be built in Russellville, Arkansas.