Rendering of Legends Resort & Casino in Pope County. (Photo courtesy of Legends Resort & Casino)
The Pope County casino license holder sued the state of Arkansas Friday after voters approved a statewide ballot initiative that repealed the license and requires countywide elections for future casinos in the state.
Plaintiffs have asked a federal judge to declare the amendment unconstitutional and issue a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to prevent the amendment from taking effect on Nov. 13.
Arkansans supported the constitutional amendment, known as Issue 2, on Tuesday 637,110 to 505,038, according to complete but unofficial results from the secretary of state’s office . The majority of voters in seven counties, including Pope County, rejected the proposed amendment.
Cherokee Nation Entertainment, which was awarded the license in June by the Arkansas Racing Commission, filed the complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas against the State of Arkansas.