Cherokee Nation Sues Arkansas Over Casino License

Cherokee Nation Entertainment has filed a federal lawsuit against Arkansas following the approval of Issue 2, a constitutional amendment that revokes its Pope County casino license. The lawsuit claims the amendment violates the U.S. Constitution, specifically the Due Process and Contract Clauses, and seeks to prevent its enforcement before it takes effect on November 13. This legal action comes after a costly campaign battle with the Choctaw Nation, which supported the amendment to protect its nearby Oklahoma casino from competition. Despite the statewide approval of the measure, the initiative was rejected by voters in Pope County itself, highlighting local opposition to the casino's removal. Cherokee Nation argues that the ballot measure's language was misleading and alleges that it was backed by the Choctaw Nation's substantial financial resources. Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin has dismissed the lawsuit as baseless and vowed to defend the state's decision.