Intervenors in a high-stakes casino licensing case in Arkansas are urging the Supreme Court to expedite their decision and move forward with an election to determine the fate of a proposed casino in Pope County.
The controversy surrounding the casino license stems from a 2018 ballot measure that legalized casino gambling in four counties in Arkansas, including Pope County. The measure required that any potential casino operator must have the endorsement of the county’s officials, either through a letter of support or a local election.
After the Quapaw Nation submitted a proposal for a casino in Pope County, the county judge at the time, Jim Ed Gibson, issued a letter of support for the tribe’s bid. However, in a subsequent election, residents voted against the casino, leading to a legal battle over the validity of the letter of support.
Intervenors in the case, including local residents and businesses who oppose the Quapaw Nation’s casino bid, argue that the letter of support should not be considered valid since it did not reflect the will of the people. They are now urging the Supreme Court to uphold the outcome of the election and require a new election to determine the future of the proposed casino.
In a recent filing with the court, the intervenors argued that delaying the election only serves to benefit the Quapaw Nation while disenfranchising the citizens of Pope County. They also noted that the longer the case remains unresolved, the more uncertainty it creates for local businesses and residents.
“The people of Pope County have spoken loud and clear in their opposition to the Quapaw Nation’s casino bid,” said John Doe, a local business owner and intervenor in the case. “It’s time for the Supreme Court to uphold the will of the people and allow for a fair and transparent election process.”
The Quapaw Nation, on the other hand, maintains that they followed the requirements set forth in the ballot measure and have the legal right to pursue their casino bid in Pope County. They argue that the letter of support from the former county judge should be considered valid and that the election results should not be used to invalidate their proposal.
The Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments in the case in the upcoming weeks, with a decision expected to be issued in the coming months. In the meantime, the intervenors in the case are hopeful that the court will prioritize the concerns of the residents of Pope County and move forward with a new election to determine the future of the proposed casino.