Pope County Quorum Court rejects Gulfside Casino resolution – Arkansas Advocate
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The Pope County Quorum Court by a vote of 7-5 rejected on June 6, 2024 a resolution in support of Gulfside Casino Partnership’s proposal to construct a casino near Russellville. (Screenshot from livestream)
The Pope County Quorum Court Thursday night rejected a resolution supporting Gulfside Casino Partnership’s proposal to construct a casino near Russellville.
The quorum court’s 7-5 decision is the latest action in half a decade of efforts to award the state’s fourth and final casino license since Arkansas voters approved gaming operations in 2018.
The courts have voided two previous versions of licenses issued to Gulfside Casino Partnership and Cherokee Nation Businesses/Legends Resort & Casino. The Arkansas Racing Commission last month opened a new 30-day application period, marking its third attempt in five years to issue the Pope County permit.
The application requires a $250,000 application fee as well as a letter of support from the county judge or a resolution from the quorum court.
Although he’s opposed to a casino, Justice Lane Scott presented the resolution Gulfside needed to complete its application at Thursday’s meeting because he said the group is the best option.
Commission approves new Arkansas casino license application period
Scott said Gulfside proposed the best economic development agreement and has a written agreement to honor voters’ decision on a ballot initiative that could repeal the Pope County casino license.
Cherokee Nation Entertainment officials on Thursday night said that while they aren’t funding an opposition group, they are part of a ballot question committee that’s working to educate voters about the implications of the proposed ballot measure.
Scott said his desire “for good honest government as well as seeking the economic and social well-being of the county” drove his desire to bring forth the resolution.
“If given the license, [Gulfside] will not begin construction before our initiative goes on the ballot,” Scott said. “Furthermore, if the initiative passes and a casino is removed from Pope County, they will honor the will of the voters.
“CNE has made no such commitments, and their actions have been the opposite of being a good community partner. In summary, Gulfside would run a casino, but CNE would run the county.”
According to a Cherokee Nation Entertainment spokesperson, Pope County Judge Ben Cross has authored several letters of support for CNE since 2019. The latest letter, dated May 15, 2024, was included with CNE’s application, which was submitted to the Arkansas Racing Commission Wednesday. CNE also received a resolution of support from the quorum court in December.
The deadline for submitting applications is June 11. Per new rules drafted by the racing commission and approved by lawmakers in April, commissioners will meet June 12 to formally close the application period, at which point the evaluation process can begin.
The commission is required to issue the license within 30 days of the close of the application period, so the process will move quickly, Department of Finance and Administration spokesman Scott Hardin said. As of Thursday afternoon, the Cherokee Nation Entertainment application is the only submission that’s been received, Hardin said.
In 2018, voters approved Amendment 100 to the Arkansas Constitution, which permitted four casinos to operate in the state. The first two were written into the amendment: the existing racetracks in West Memphis (Southland) and Hot Springs (Oaklawn).
The third license was issued quickly and without controversy in Jefferson County due to local support for the Quapaw Nation, which opened Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Bluff.
Arkansas Supreme Court declines to rehear Pope County casino case; new application period likely
The Pope County license has been unique with local efforts opposing the casino and multiple casino operators interested in the license. Local Voters in Charge, a ballot question committee that formed in January, is pursuing a ballot initiative to repeal authorization for a casino and casino gaming in Pope County, and to require a local option vote for any future potential casino locations.
Attorney General Tim Griffin in March amended and approved the group’s proposed popular name and ballot title, clearing the way for supporters to begin collecting signatures. They have until July 5 to collect 90,704 signatures from registered voters to qualify for a statewide vote on the Nov. 5 general election ballot.
The Pope County casino also has its supporters, including a new ballot question committee called Investing in Arkansas. According to paperwork filed with the Arkansas Ethics Commission in May, the group “will advocate for the protection of Arkansas Amendment 100” and promote continued investments and economic development benefits provided because of the amendment.
Cherokee Nation Entertainment’s proposed 50,000-square-foot casino would include 1,200 slot machines; a 200-room hotel with a resort pool and spa; a multipurpose space to accommodate meetings, concerts and special events; an outdoor music venue; water park; and an RV and dog park.
Legends Resort & Casino would be constructed on land located northeast of Russellville. CNE estimated the $300-million-investment will have a $5 billion economic impact on Arkansas during the first decade, creating thousands of jobs and bringing “significant tax benefit to the state,” according to a press release.
Once the license is awarded, CNE President Mark Fulton said he expects the 18-month construction process will begin after 60 to 90 days of permitting and pre-construction work.
“CNE is committed and eager to fulfill its obligations under the $38.8 million economic development agreement executed with Pope County,” Fulton said in a statement. “Since opening an office in Russellville nearly five years ago, the team has listened to the community, invested hours of volunteerism, and partnered with organizations to make an impact on the lives of Arkansans.”
A CNE spokesperson said the $38.8 million economic development agreement that’s already been executed between CNE and Pope County will be distributed upon issuance of the casino license. The agreement also calls for an annual $2.1 million contribution to a charitable foundation and the Russellville Economic Development Alliance.
Gulfside Casino Partnership’s River Valley Casino Resort would include 70,000 square feet of gaming space, 1,500 slot machines, a 300-room hotel, a convention center and meeting spaces, a resort pool and spa and an outdoor amphitheater.
The $405-million-investment would create nearly 1,700 new jobs and a $60.5 million annual payroll and generate an estimated $29.5 million in tax revenues, according to a press release.
The proposal includes a pledged $65-million upfront payment to the county and local communities to drive additional economic development. Gulfside would also invest nearly $40 million directly into Pope County as part of the agreement, plus $2 million annually for economic development, according to the release.
“Gulfside Casino Partnership is more than just a tourist destination or local employer; it is an economic driver and philanthropic partner committed to the prosperity and vitality of our Pope County communities,” Gulfside counsel Casey Castleberry said in a statement. “As part of our commitment to the region, we are exploring an option to purchase nearly 20 acres from the City of Russellville that had previously been acquired for a convention center.”
Contingent upon the city agreeing to a land option to purchase nearly 20 lakefront acres for no more than $5 million, Gulfside would pay $10 million to the city of Russellville. The total investment would help the city move forward with its long-planned convention center, the release states.
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by Antoinette Grajeda, Arkansas Advocate
June 7, 2024
by Antoinette Grajeda, Arkansas Advocate
June 7, 2024
The Pope County Quorum Court Thursday night rejected a resolution supporting Gulfside Casino Partnership’s proposal to construct a casino near Russellville.
The quorum court’s 7-5 decision is the latest action in half a decade of efforts to award the state’s fourth and final casino license since Arkansas voters approved gaming operations in 2018.
The courts have voided two previous versions of licenses issued to Gulfside Casino Partnership and Cherokee Nation Businesses/Legends Resort & Casino. The Arkansas Racing Commission last month opened a new 30-day application period, marking its third attempt in five years to issue the Pope County permit.
The application requires a $250,000 application fee as well as a letter of support from the county judge or a resolution from the quorum court.
Although he’s opposed to a casino, Justice Lane Scott presented the resolution Gulfside needed to complete its application at Thursday’s meeting because he said the group is the best option.
Commission approves new Arkansas casino license application period
Scott said Gulfside proposed the best economic development agreement and has a written agreement to honor voters’ decision on a ballot initiative that could repeal the Pope County casino license.
Cherokee Nation Entertainment officials on Thursday night said that while they aren’t funding an opposition group, they are part of a ballot question committee that’s working to educate voters about the implications of the proposed ballot measure.
Scott said his desire “for good honest government as well as seeking the economic and social well-being of the county” drove his desire to bring forth the resolution.
“If given the license, [Gulfside] will not begin construction before our initiative goes on the ballot,” Scott said. “Furthermore, if the initiative passes and a casino is removed from Pope County, they will honor the will of the voters.
“CNE has made no such commitments, and their actions have been the opposite of being a good community partner. In summary, Gulfside would run a casino, but CNE would run the county.”
According to a Cherokee Nation Entertainment spokesperson, Pope County Judge Ben Cross has authored several letters of support for CNE since 2019. The latest letter, dated May 15, 2024, was included with CNE’s application, which was submitted to the Arkansas Racing Commission Wednesday. CNE also received a resolution of support from the quorum court in December.
The deadline for submitting applications is June 11. Per new rules drafted by the racing commission and approved by lawmakers in April, commissioners will meet June 12 to formally close the application period, at which point the evaluation process can begin.
The commission is required to issue the license within 30 days of the close of the application period, so the process will move quickly, Department of Finance and Administration spokesman Scott Hardin said. As of Thursday afternoon, the Cherokee Nation Entertainment application is the only submission that’s been received, Hardin said.
In 2018, voters approved Amendment 100 to the Arkansas Constitution, which permitted four casinos to operate in the state. The first two were written into the amendment: the existing racetracks in West Memphis (Southland) and Hot Springs (Oaklawn).
The third license was issued quickly and without controversy in Jefferson County due to local support for the Quapaw Nation, which opened Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Bluff.
Arkansas Supreme Court declines to rehear Pope County casino case; new application period likely
The Pope County license has been unique with local efforts opposing the casino and multiple casino operators interested in the license. Local Voters in Charge, a ballot question committee that formed in January, is pursuing a ballot initiative to repeal authorization for a casino and casino gaming in Pope County, and to require a local option vote for any future potential casino locations.
Attorney General Tim Griffin in March amended and approved the group’s proposed popular name and ballot title, clearing the way for supporters to begin collecting signatures. They have until July 5 to collect 90,704 signatures from registered voters to qualify for a statewide vote on the Nov. 5 general election ballot.
The Pope County casino also has its supporters, including a new ballot question committee called Investing in Arkansas. According to paperwork filed with the Arkansas Ethics Commission in May, the group “will advocate for the protection of Arkansas Amendment 100” and promote continued investments and economic development benefits provided because of the amendment.
Cherokee Nation Entertainment’s proposed 50,000-square-foot casino would include 1,200 slot machines; a 200-room hotel with a resort pool and spa; a multipurpose space to accommodate meetings, concerts and special events; an outdoor music venue; water park; and an RV and dog park.
Legends Resort & Casino would be constructed on land located northeast of Russellville. CNE estimated the $300-million-investment will have a $5 billion economic impact on Arkansas during the first decade, creating thousands of jobs and bringing “significant tax benefit to the state,” according to a press release.
Once the license is awarded, CNE President Mark Fulton said he expects the 18-month construction process will begin after 60 to 90 days of permitting and pre-construction work.
“CNE is committed and eager to fulfill its obligations under the $38.8 million economic development agreement executed with Pope County,” Fulton said in a statement. “Since opening an office in Russellville nearly five years ago, the team has listened to the community, invested hours of volunteerism, and partnered with organizations to make an impact on the lives of Arkansans.”
A CNE spokesperson said the $38.8 million economic development agreement that’s already been executed between CNE and Pope County will be distributed upon issuance of the casino license. The agreement also calls for an annual $2.1 million contribution to a charitable foundation and the Russellville Economic Development Alliance.
Gulfside Casino Partnership’s River Valley Casino Resort would include 70,000 square feet of gaming space, 1,500 slot machines, a 300-room hotel, a convention center and meeting spaces, a resort pool and spa and an outdoor amphitheater.
The $405-million-investment would create nearly 1,700 new jobs and a $60.5 million annual payroll and generate an estimated $29.5 million in tax revenues, according to a press release.
The proposal includes a pledged $65-million upfront payment to the county and local communities to drive additional economic development. Gulfside would also invest nearly $40 million directly into Pope County as part of the agreement, plus $2 million annually for economic development, according to the release.
“Gulfside Casino Partnership is more than just a tourist destination or local employer; it is an economic driver and philanthropic partner committed to the prosperity and vitality of our Pope County communities,” Gulfside counsel Casey Castleberry said in a statement. “As part of our commitment to the region, we are exploring an option to purchase nearly 20 acres from the City of Russellville that had previously been acquired for a convention center.”
Contingent upon the city agreeing to a land option to purchase nearly 20 lakefront acres for no more than $5 million, Gulfside would pay $10 million to the city of Russellville. The total investment would help the city move forward with its long-planned convention center, the release states.
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Arkansas Advocate is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Arkansas Advocate maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Sonny Albarado for questions: info@arkansasadvocate.com. Follow Arkansas Advocate on Facebook and X.
Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our website. AP and Getty images may not be republished. Please see our republishing guidelines for use of any other photos and graphics.
Antoinette Grajeda is a multimedia journalist who has reported since 2007 on a wide range of topics, including politics, health, education, immigration and the arts for NPR affiliates, print publications and digital platforms. A University of Arkansas alumna, she earned a bachelor’s degree in print journalism and a master’s degree in documentary film.
Arkansas Advocate is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.
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The Arkansas Advocate is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization dedicated to tough, fair daily reporting and investigative journalism that holds public officials accountable and focuses on the relationship between the lives of Arkansans and public policy. This service is free to readers and other news outlets.
We’re part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.
Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our website.
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