Cherokee Nation Entertainment is suing the state of Arkansas over the constitutional amendment that would strip its Pope County casino license. [Image: Shutterstock.com]

The never-ending saga of the on-and-off-again Pope County casino project has its latest chapter. After Arkansas residents effectively voted on election day to strip Cherokee Nation Entertainment of the license it received in June, the company is now suing the state.

The constitutional amendment named Issue 2 passed overwhelmingly, despite voters in Pope County itself wanting the development to proceed.

called upon a federal judge to rule the amendment unconstitutional

The plaintiffs called upon a federal judge to rule the amendment unconstitutional before issuing a preliminary injunction and temporary restraining order to stop the amendment from coming into law on Wednesday.

Controversy over Pope County’s casino dates back to the 2018 election when voters approved four counties to get commercial casinos. Gaming facilities are up and running in the three other jurisdictions, but years-long legal action has meant no development has ever come to Pope County.

The Arkansas Racing Commission awarded Cherokee Nation Entertainment the license in June. The operator plans to invest $300m in a project that would generate an estimated $5bn in economic activity in the region over its first decade.