“…an entity is not a casino applicant until the application process commences.

In layman’s terms, the court declared that until the application process was initiated by the Arkansas Racing Commission (ARC), which oversees casino licensing regulation, there could be no applicants. Gulfside Casino Partnership focused on which entity was a legal applicant for a casino license. The high court’s ruling in Cherokee Nation Businesses and Arkansas Racing Commission vs. The dispute arises from actions taken soon after voters approved The Arkansas Casino Gaming Amendment, which requires the Racing Commission to issue licenses to Oaklawn Jockey Club in Hot Springs, Southland Racing Corporation in West Memphis, and to entities in Pope County and Jefferson County. $3.The Arkansas Supreme Court on Thursday ruled in favor of the Cherokee Nation Businesses and against Gulfside Casino Partnership in a long-running controversial series of legal and regulatory challenges to place a casino in Pope County. A 10th facility is due to open thisĬherokee Nation donated $6M to Arkansas casino campaign Cherokee Nation Entertainment, a subsidiary of Cherokee Nation Businesses, is hoping to manage one facility in Washington County.Ĭasinos in Oklahoma, including one in West Siloam Issue 5 seeks to authorize three commercial casinos in the state. The Arkansas Wins in 2016 campaign on Tuesday asked for a reconsideration of the ruling, according to news reports. The costly effort came to a halt last week when the Arkansas Supreme Court said the ballot language on Issue 5 was illegal because it includes a reference to sports wagering. The Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma contributed a total of $6 million to a failed gaming initiative in Arkansas.Ĭampaign finance reports posted on Arkansas Ethics showed that Cherokee Nation Businesses gave the first $1 million in June.Īdditional contributions were made in July, August and September, accumulating for the $6 million total. & Hotel in West Siloam Springs, Oklahoma. The Cherokee Nation owns and operates the Cherokee Casino

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