Cherokee and Choctaw nations vie over Arkansas casino
The nations insist that the disagreement is limited to this one issue.
A conflict has emerged between the Cherokee and Choctaw nations over a prospective new casino in Pope County, Arkansas, not far from either of their land.
Voters in Arkansas approved casino gaming in 2018 and there is one due to go up around Russellville area. This could pose problems for the tribes, who both operate casinos over the state line in Oklahoma. Both sides, then, were vying for who would operate the new Arkansas casino.
In November of last year, Arkansas regulators decided to award the license – the last remaining one in the state – to the business arm of the Cherokee nation.
The controversy comes here: when, two months ago, a volunteer group that for years had been fighting the establishing of any casino in the area received a $125,000 donation from the Choctaw Nation.
While this move could be indicative of cracks in an often unified front that tribal leaders in Oklahoma portray publicly, representatives from the Choctaw Nation told The Oklahoman that this is not the case.
Brian Danker reportedly said, “The issues in Pope County have not impacted our work and relationship with the Cherokee Nation.”
From the Cherokee Nation Businesses group, Allison Burum seemed to agree, claiming the dispute was limited to Arkansas. That said, it is certainly a dispute: the Cherokee donated over $1m to a new group fighting those efforts to block the casino. Additionally, there are still lawsuits active over licensing issues surrounding the planned destination.
The incident shows what trouble might await as commercial gaming rises and tribal operators contend for the same prizes.
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