The Arkansas Supreme Court has rejected a part of the lawsuit challenging a ballot measure that could approve or repeal a casino license in Pope County.
The lawsuit stems from a report claiming that violations in gathering signatures were unlawful. The state Supreme Court rejected that signature debacle. However, the second part of the lawsuit, detailing how the bill is worded, has yet to be decided upon.
Cherokee Nation Entertainment (CNE) was awarded the license earlier this year and was granted permission to begin finalizing plans for its new casino facility. However, it was quickly sued by one of the original license holders whose permissions had previously been revoked. Pope County residents will now have the option to approve the CNE license or revoke the casino license for their community on November 5th.
The Pope County casino license has been in limbo for years, and Cherokee Nation Entertainment is the third recipient of the fourth state-issued casino license. Previous recipients include Legends Resort & Casino (2021) and Gulfside Casino Partnership (2019). The state only allowed four casino licenses: one in Pope and Jefferson counties and one at each previously existing racetrack.
Are Arkansas Casinos Legit?
Local Arkansas casinos are licensed and regulated by the Arkansas Racing Commission. The three casinos currently in operation offer full class 3 gaming, including Vegas-style slots, live dealer table games, and electronic gaming machines.
The Saracen Casino is one of the state’s most significant, with over 80,000 square feet of gaming space, 1,800 slots, 40 tabletop games, and a dedicated poker room. An onsite sportsbook with mobile options is available anywhere within state lines.
Are 18+ Online Casinos Available In Arkansas?
The state of Arkansas only allows players over the age of 21 on its casino floors. However, 18-and-up casinos online are not forbidden, as the state has no specific gambling laws banning their use. The same goes for sports betting and online poker gambling.
Arkansas has not passed any legislation to allow its domestic casinos to operate online, but that could change with the success of its online sportsbooks. Latest reports indicate that legal sports betting has generated an additional $14 in tax revenue for the state.