Voter approval of the revocation of a on line casino license in Arkansas has now prompted a lawsuit by Cherokee Nation Entertainment.
Arkansas residents repealed a license for Pope County that many native residents opposed with 56% of the vote, and the modification now requires native poll initiatives for future licenses.
The Cherokee have sued the state in federal courtroom on behalf of a Pope County resident asking that the modification be declared unconstitutional and for a short lived restraining order and preliminary injunction to maintain the modification from going into impact.
Amendment Nixes Tribal Casino
The Cherokees had beforehand been granted the Pope County license in June by the Arkansas Racing Commission, and in addition challenged the legality of the constitutional modification earlier than the vote.
“Cherokee Nation Entertainment is firmly committed to protecting its constitutional rights, defending its lawfully issued casino license, and safeguarding the substantial investments it made in good faith based on the establishment of the Pope County casino license under Amendment 100 in 2018,” Cherokee legal professional Bart Calhoun stated in an announcement following the vote. “Amendment 104 undermines foundational legal rights and stands to interfere with several binding contractual obligations.”
Calhoun stated the tribe was contesting the modification on a number of authorized fronts “to preserve our client’s rights and investments throughout the legal proceedings.”
In 2018, voters permitted Amendment 100 permitting for 4 on line casino licenses. Three of these have been constructed however residents in Pope County expressed opposition to at least one being deliberate within the area. According to Oklahoma Voice, Cherokee Entertainment is challenging the amendment on the idea of due course of, contracts, equal safety, and the takings clause of the U.S. Constitution.
The tribe deliberate a $300 million facility within the county that included buying 325 acres to construct the 50,000-square-foot Legends Resort & Casino. The property would home 1,200 slot machines, a 200-room lodge, 15,000 sq. ft of multipurpose house, and a 5,000-seat outside live performance venue.
