Cherokee Nation Businesses (CNB) looks to have an advantage in what will be a new process to grant a casino license in Pope County thanks to an endorsement letter from Pope County Judge Ben Cross.
An Oct. 26 Arkansas Supreme Court decision sent the casino license process back to the Arkansas Racing Commission, an agency of the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration.
The Arkansas Supreme Court affirmed a lower court ruling that said Cherokee Nation Businesses was not a qualified applicant when granted a casino license in Pope County. The decision opens anew the application process.
Pulaski County Circuit Court Judge Tim Fox ruled Jan. 12 that Arkansas officials “unconstitutionally” granted a casino license to Cherokee Nation Businesses.