On Election Day, Arkansas voters revised their 2018 choice to permit commercial casinos in Crittenden, Garland, Jefferson, and Pope counties. 

Six years prior, a statewide vote allowed for the introduction of slot machines, live dealer table games, and sports wagering in the Razorback State. The change to the Arkansas Constitution permitted the Southland and Oaklawn racetracks, located in Crittenden’s West Memphis and Garland’s Hot Springs, to operate as complete casinos. A property named Saracen Casino Resort has also opened in Pine Bluff, Jefferson. 

The casino license for Pope County has been caught up in legal disputes for a large portion of the last six years. Legal disputes regarding the initial assessment and scoring of two bids by the Arkansas Racing Commission (ARC), along with arguments over the eligibility of one bid, delayed the issuance of the gaming concession for several years. 

Following over five years of struggles and challenges, ARC concluded in June that the proposal from the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma was the only one that met the criteria, leading to the license being granted to the tribe. However, after the outcome of Tuesday's election referendum, the casino license is now invalid. 

Arkansas Electorate Supports Issue 2 

A competing tribe to the Cherokees — the Choctaw Nation — funded a 2024 statewide gaming referendum aimed at overturning the Pope County casino license. To safeguard its tribal casinos in Eastern Oklahoma, the Choctaws invested nearly $18 million through their Arkansas political initiative named Local Voters in Charge into a ballot measure called “Require Voter Approval for Casino Licenses.” 

Issue 2 requested voters statewide to amend the Arkansas Constitution once more, permitting only the ARC to issue casino licenses for projects situated in counties that have conducted local referendums showing support for a casino. 

“A FOR vote means you are in favor of changing the state constitution to remove the Pope County casino gaming license from the Arkansas Constitution and, should any future amendments authorizing additional casino licenses be approved by a statewide vote, requiring a special election and approval of voters in the county where that casino would be located to approve it,” the ballot read.

With all state votes counted, Issue 2 was approved with nearly 56% backing. The decision revokes the Cherokees’ gaming license, which they intended to utilize for building a $300 million entertainment and hospitality venue known as Legends Resort & Casino in Russellville. 

Papal Backing 

In 2018, the electorate in Pope County was one of just 11 counties that opposed the casino referendum. The casino proposal was approved by the other 64 counties in Arkansas. 

Pope County Judge Ben Cross, a firm advocate for the Cherokees’ casino initiative, urged voters to oppose the 2024 gaming referendum. He believed that views had shifted in the county since the 2018 election. 

Cross was correct, as the vote on Tuesday in Pope opposed Issue 2. Nearly 56% of voters for Pope opposed Issue 2.

"Local Voters in Charge has been saying they want a local vote. Well, they got one tonight, and it was definitively against their action,” said Cross.

“We’re disappointed by the fact that people bought into the disinformation that was being put out,” the judge continued. “The people closest to the source of contention knew the reality of it and recognized it for the value it is, while the rest of the state bought into misleading advertising.”