On Monday, the Arkansas Racing Commission (ARC) initiated the reopening of the license application process, signaling a fresh opportunity for the development of a casino in Pope County.
The ARC’s decision to reopen applications follows its rejection of proposals from several prominent entities in June, including Warner Gaming, Gulfside Casino Partnership, Choctaw Division of Commerce, Kehl Management, and Cherokee Nation Businesses. The commission cited the absence of crucial letters of support from Pope County Judge Ben Cross and local officials as the primary reason for the rejection.
Scott Hardin, spokesperson for the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, emphasized the importance of carefully evaluating each proposal against various criteria to determine the most suitable candidate for Pope County.
Interested parties have until November 18 to submit their applications, with the commission affirming that the details of the submissions will remain confidential.
The decision to reopen the application process comes amid recent developments, including the public endorsement of Cherokee Nation Businesses’ proposal for a $225 million casino resort by Judge Cross and the Quorum Court.
However, the endorsement has sparked controversy, with Warner Gaming and the Choctaw Nation questioning the fairness of the selection process. Bill Warner, CEO of Warner Gaming, emphasized the need for transparency and fairness, urging for a level playing field in the evaluation of proposals and county support letters.
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