Gaming initiative backed by Cherokee Nation advances in Arkansas

Friday, September 2, 2016

The Cherokee Nation owns and operates the Cherokee Casino & Hotel in West Siloam Springs, Oklahoma. The facility is on the Arkansas border. Photo from Facebook

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A gaming initiative backed by the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma is going on the ballot in Arkansas.

A group called Arkansas Wins in 2016 collected enough signatures to put the constitutional amendment to voters in November. If Issue 5 is approved, three commercial casinos would be authorized and Cherokee Nation Entertainment, a subsidiary of Cherokee Nation Businesses, plans to manage the one in Washington County.

“We’re grateful to the 100,977 registered Arkansas voters that joined with our campaign to get this pro-growth, pro-jobs issue on the ballot this November,” Robert Coon, a spokesperson for the effort, said in a press release that touted the Cherokee Nation's involvement. “This amendment will create thousands of good paying jobs, generate tens of millions of dollars in new tax revenue, increase tourism, and stimulate our state and local economies.”

The Cherokee Nation operates nine casinos in Oklahoma, including one in West Siloam Springs, right near the Arkansas border. A 10th facility, located in Grove, is due to open this winter.

Read More on the Story:
Proposal for three state casinos makes ballot (The Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette 9/2)
Arkansas voters will decide if casino can be built in Boone County (KY3 9/1)