Search the Arkansas Code for laws and statutes. Go to Arkansas Code Search Laws and Statutes State Directory; All State Agencies. Minimum Legal Gambling Age by State. Legal gambling ages across the US vary, with states setting the minimum age at either 18 or 21. This can however change depending on the type of gambling, as.

Casino gambling was prohibited in Arkansas until voters approved a constitutional amendment to allow four casinos in November 2018. The ballot initiative gave the Arkansas Racing Commission the authority to license and regulate casino gambling.

The first two casinos opened April 1, 2019 at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in Hot Springs and Southland Gaming & Racing in West Memphis.

The two remaining casino licenses were designated for new casinos in Jefferson and Pope Counties. The Arkansas Racing Commission accepted applications for both locations and licensed the Quapaw Nation of Oklahoma to build the Saracen Casino in Jefferson County. The commission also accepted the application of Gulfside Casino Partnership to build the River Valley Casino in Pope County.

News Headlines

Saracen Casino opens permanent casino facility!October 19, 2020 - Last thursday the Saracen Casino officially opened its new permanent gaming facility featuring 2,000 slot machines, 35 table games and several restaurants. Construction on the casino began Aug 2019... Read moreRiver Valley plans temporary casinoOctober 11, 2020 - River Valley Casino Resort was licensed on July 31, 2020 and is currently seeking additional approval to build a temporary casino to operate 500 slot machines and 8 table games while construction proceeds on... Read moreSaracen Casino Resort will hire 800 before October openingAugust 13, 2020 - Saracen Casino Resort will hire 800 new workers in the next few weeks as the new Pine Bluff casino prepares to open. Most of the 800 new hires will receive one to two weeks of paid training... Read more'Arkansas Wins 2020' ballot campaign is endedAugust 5, 2020 - UPDATE - The Arkansas Wins 2020 campaign committee filed a motion in court Aug. 7 to dismiss their case, thus ending their campaign for a Nov. ballot measure.... Read more Cherokee Nation loses appeal of Pope County casino licenseAugust 4, 2020 - The Arkansas Racing Commission met last Thursday to discuss the appeal by Cherokee Nation Businesses for the Pope County casino license awarded to Gulfside Casino Partners in June.... Read moreArkansas Supreme Court: 'Cherokee Nation is qualified applicant for Pope County casino'July 22, 2020 - The Arkansas Supreme Court overturned the ruling of Pulaski County Circuit Judge Tim Fox that the Cherokee Business Nation was not a qualified... Read more'Arkansas Wins 2020' reaches signature requirementJuly 14, 2020 - The 'Arkansas Wins 2020' ballot initiative has reached 97,000 signatures from residents supporting a massive expansion of casinos... Read more Gulfside beats out Cherokee for Pope County casino licenseJune 22, 2020 - The Arkansas Racing Commission will award the sole casino license for Pope County to Gulfside Casino Partnership from Mississippi to build River Valley Casino Resort in Russellville, AR.... Read more Headlines continued...

Arkansas Casinos

The Arkansas constitutional amendment approved by voters in Nov 2018 authorized four casinos to be licensed for Vegas-style gambling. Two of those casino licenses were designated for new casinos in Jefferson and Pope counties. The other two licenses were granted to two existing racetracks.

• New casino to be built in Jefferson County
• New casino to be built in Pope County
• Oaklawn Racetrack in Hot Springs National Park, AR
• Southland Racetrack in West Memphis, AR

NEW CASINOS - A casino license for Jefferson County was issued to Saracen Casino in June 2019. A license to build River Valley Casino in Pope County was issued in June 2020.

River Valley Casino Resort
Russellville, Pope County, Arkansas

Saracen Casino Resort
Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas

RACINOS - Both Oaklawn and Southland racetracks were licensed and began casino operations on April 1, 2019.

Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort
2705 Central Avenue
Hot Springs National Park, AR 71901
(501) 623-4411

Southland Casino Racing
1550 Ingram Boulevard
West Memphis, AR 72301
870 735-3670

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Legal Gambling Age In Arkansas

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The Legalization of Casino Gambling 2018

A ballot measure calling for the state to license four casinos was approved by voters in the Nov 2018 election.

The resulting constitutional amendment authorised the Arkansas Racing Commission to regulate casinos and defines casino gambling as Vegas-style gambling and sports betting.

The amendment also authorizes the new types of casino gambling to be played at racinos (racetrack and casino), where previously these track casinos could only offer electronic games of skill.

Arkansas has two existing racinos: Oaklawn Racing & Gaming in Hot Springs and Southland Gaming and Racing in West Memphis. Both Oaklawn and Southland have announced major expansion plans to build larger casinos and to add hotels.

Two new additional casinos will be licensed by the Racing Commissions bringing the total to four casinos. One will be in Jefferson County and the other in Pope County. This application process will commence when the commission finalizes its operational rules.

News Articles

'Arkansas Wins 2020' ballot campaign is ended

UPDATE
August 7, 2020 - The Arkansas Wins 2020 campaign committee filed a motion in court today to dismiss their case, thus ending their campaign for a Nov. ballot measure.

August 5, 2020

Arkansas Wins 2020, the petition to legalize 16 more casinos with a constitutional amendment on the Nov 3 ballot, appears to be headed for life support.

1. A few weeks ago Secretary of State John Thurston proclaimed the petition was ineligible for the ballot due to noncompliance with state requirements for paid canvassers.

2. Last week the Board of Election of Commissioners rejected the petition in a 5-1 vote

The Arkansas Wins 2020 support group is appealing both decisions. On July 31 the Arkansas Supreme Court approved the group's request for Secretary Thurston to verify the signatures submitted for the ballot measure. The court also granted 'provisional certification of the initiative pending review of the merits of the certification by the court.'

Back Full Page >Arkansas Casinos Updates 2020

'Arkansas Wins 2020' reaches signature requirement

July 14, 2020

The 'Arkansas Wins 2020' ballot initiative has reached 97,000 signatures from residents supporting a massive expansion in the number of state-licensed casinos. The signatures have been submitted to the Arkansas secretary of state for validation for the Nov 2020 ballot. A minimum of 89,151 signatures must be verified as registered voters.

This ballot measure would amend the state constitution to allow up to 16 additional casinos. Each casino operator would pay a one-time licensing fee of $250,000 and a tax on gross gaming revenues of 13% on the first $150M revenues and 20% above that.

UPDATE July 17, 2020
Secretary of State John Thurston ruled the Arkansas Wins 2020 petition invalid because its canvassers failed to include the required background check.

Back Full Page >Arkansas Casinos Updates 2020

Arkansas Launches Sports Betting

July 2, 2019

In the November 2019 election Arkansas voters approved sports betting at four casino locations. On July 1, 2020 Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in Hot Springs became the first of the four to open their sports book.

The other three locations that will open sports betting are Southland Racetrack in West Memphis, the new Saracen Casino Resort coming to Jefferson County, and a new casino to be licensed in Pope County.

Each casino will pay the state a 13% tax on the first $150 million of revenues from sports betting. The tax rate increases to 20% on revenues above $150 million.

Mobile and online betting have not yet been approved by the state legislature.

Back Full Page >Arkansas Casinos Updates 2020

Arkansas has 6 bids for 2 new casinos

May 31, 2019

The bidding period ended yesterday at 5:00pm for interested parties to submit their application to the Arkansas Racing Commission for development of a casino in Pope or Jefferson County.

A total of six applications were submitted. Five bids were placed for the Pope County casino. Only the Quapaw Nation bid on a casino in Jefferson County. The Arkansas Racing Commission will begin review of each submission on June 13.

The five bidders for the Pope County casino were:

• Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma
• Choctaw Nation
• Gulfside Casino Partnership
• Hard Rock International & Warner Gaming, Joint Venture
• Robert and Ruth Kehl
• Tri-Peaks Entertainment Group LLC

Arkansas voters approved 4 casino gaming locations in last November's election. In addition to new casinos in Pope and Jefferson counties, two racetracks were authorized to add Vegas-style gambling. These were the Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort and Southland Casino Racing. Both opened their casino operations on April 1, 2019.

Back Full Page >Arkansas Casinos Updates 2020

Arkansas' First Casinos Open at Two Racetracks

April 1, 2019

Five months after voters approved casino gambling in Arkansas, two race track have official opened their new casino operations with blackjack, poker, roulette and slot machines. Sports betting is expected in a few months.

Under the new law these casinos will be open 24/7 year round. Previously as racetracks they closed for Christmas and Easter.

Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort

Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in Hot Springs opened their new casino at 4am April 1st. Oaklawn offers 1,300 slot machines and 22 live table games.

Oaklawn will begin a $100 million construction project in May to build an entertainment center and a 200-room hotel with a spa and an outdoor pool. Construction will be completed in early 2020.

Southland Casino and Racing

Southland Casino and Racing in West Memphis also opened their new casiino April 1. Southland hosts 2,000 slot machines and 40 live table games.

Southland will begin a $250 million construction project in May to add 28,000 square feet of casino space with an additional 500 slot machines and 20 table games. The project also includes a 20-story hotel tower and four new restaurants.

Back Full Page >Arkansas Casinos Updates 2020

Arkansas voters pass casino amendment

November 06, 2018

On Wednesday approval was given to add proposed casino legislation to the Arkansas November ballot. 85,000 signatures from registered voters were needed in support of the proposed measure. 99,988 signatures were submitted.

The measure would bring casino gaming to select racetracks. Those racetracks operate electronic gaming, such as video poker.

Out of state competition has prompted the proposed measure. Residents of Arkansas are crossing the state line to gamble. That is potential tax revenue that Arkansas could use for improvements like infrastructure. There would also be the creation of new jobs.

The measure is opposed by Gov. Asa Hutchinson and a conservative group.

Back Full Page >Arkansas Casinos Updates 2020

Quapaw tribe contributes $1.4M to support casino referendum

September 18, 2018

The ballot measure that would allow for the development of 4 casinos in Arkansas has received a $1.4 million contribution in support by a Native American tribe.

In August a donation of $191,000 was given to Driving Arkansas Forward by the Quapaw Tribe in Oklahoma. This made the total donations to the cause $1.4 million.

If the proposed measure is approved the Arkansas State Racing Commission will allow the Southland Racing Corp. and Oaklawn Jockey Club to expand their gaming offerings. Also, two new casinos would be built. One would be in Russellville. The other near Pine Bluff.

The proposed measure has been certified for the ballot this November.

Last week the Arkansas Supreme Court was asked to have the measure removed from the ballot by two committees.

Back Full Page >Arkansas Casinos Updates 2020

Oklahoma Tribes contribute funds to Arkansas Casino Campaign

July 18, 2018

A constitutional ballot referendum is being proposed that would allow for four casinos to be built in the State of Arkansas. The committee that is striving to push the measure forward is Driving Arkansas Forward. The group has support from both the Cherokee Nation and the Quapaw Tribe. The Cherokee Nation has contributed $525,300. The Quapaw have contributed $707,000. This is a total contribution of $1.23 million.

Another $180,000 was given by the Quapaw Tribe to pay for the hiring of a firm that will collect signatures to have the proposed measure placed on the November ballot. The Gulfside Casino Partnership and the Association of Gaming Equipment also donated an additional $10,000.

A large portion of the money will be spent on advertising to promote the measure.

Voters need to give approval for the measure if casinos will be allowed to be built. Southland and Oaklawn Racing would be allowed to expand their wagering operations and be allowed to offer some casino gaming. Two other casinos would be built in Jefferson and Pope Counties.

It is possible that $120 million could be earned in tax revenue for the state every year per a report by the Driving Arkansas Forward committee.

July 9 was the date that signatures needed to be submitted by. Over 96,000 collected signatures of approval were given to the office of the Arkansas Secretary, Mark Martin. The process has started to authenticate the signatures.

Currently there are 11 states that do not have casinos.

Back Full Page >Arkansas Casinos Updates 2020

Arkansas casino measure is officially on Nov 6 ballot

May 29, 2018

A ballot measure is about to be voted on by Arkansas voters asking to build four casinos. One would be located in Jefferson County. The measure was recent approved to move forward by Leslie Rutledge, the Attorney General for Arkansas.

The push behind allowing for casinos to be built in the state is being supported by the group, Driving Arkansas Forward. Under the proposed bill the casinos would be taxed at 65%. The money would go to improve bridges and roads.

For the measure to be placed on the ballot for voters to decide, signatures need to be collected to show support. By July 6 84,859 signatures must be submitted. Voting will take place on November 6.

In addition to Jefferson County, Pope County is another location for two casinos. They would be located in West Memphis at the Southland greyhound track. Also, at the Oaklawn horse track that is located in Hot Springs.

The measure previously failed approval from the Arkansas Attorney General due to the wording of the bill's title. Rutledge believed that the wording was misleading and would not be clear to the voters. A lawsuit occurred shortly after. The Arkansas Supreme Court heard the case, Couch v. Rutledge. After the ruling, Rutledge certified the title for the proposed measure.

When the announcement was made earlier this year that the casino measure could move forward, members of the business community and officials from Pine Bluff and Jefferson County met. There was an event for the Economic Alliance for Jefferson County. During this meeting plans for a new resort casino were presented by the Quapaw Indian Tribe's Chief, John Berrey. The project would create 1,000 new jobs in the county.

The tribe owns a casino in Oklahoma. Located in Joplin, Missouri and close to the state line boarder.

Legal Gambling Age In Arkansas

Back Full Page >Arkansas Casinos Updates 2020

Arkansas AG rejects casinos ballot initiative

April 11, 2018

A proposal that would allow for the development of four casinos in Arkansas was denied on Tuesday by Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. The proposal was for the naming and ballot title for a bill that would require a constitutional amendment allowing the casinos. The casinos would be built in Miller, Benton, Pulaski, and Boone counties. Tax money from the casinos would go to fund highway infrastructure projects.

The proposal is being promoted by Arkansas Wins in 2018 Inc. It is a private group in favor of the development of casinos in the state.

Currently electronic versions of games of skill are permitted to be in operation. These games can be found in West Memphis at Southland Park Gaming and Racing and in Hot Springs at Oaklawn Racing and Gaming.

The ballot title and naming were denied for the proposed measure since the Attorney General Leslie Rutledge did not believe they accurately described the proposal. She believes the text was ambiguous and not clear what was being proposed to voters.

Certification is needed by the Attorney General for the ballot title and popular name. This must happen before signature collection in support of the measure can take place. 84,859 signatures will be needed to have the measure placed on the general election ballot for November 06 of this year.

This is not the first time that a proposed casino bill has been rejected by the AG. It happens to be the third time this year. Earlier this year Driving Arkansas Forward attempted to have their ballot name and title approved. That proposal would have allowed for four casino licenses. Southland and Oaklawn would have received one each. The other two would go to Pope and Jefferson counties. The tax revenue made from the gaming would also go to fund highway projects.

A different proposal has been submitted by Driving Arkansas Forward. This one involves the Quapaw Tribe. The tribe has interest in developing a casino.

Back Full Page >Arkansas Casinos Updates 2020

Arkansas Election Measure Proposes Three Casinos

January 08, 2018

A constitutional amendment has been submitted to state Attorney General Leslie Rutledge's office last week. The amendment would allow for three casinos to be developed in Arkansas.

The state would receive 12 percent of the gross revenue from each casino under the proposed amendment. Most of the money would go to the Arkansas Department of Transportation. It is estimated that could be $45 million in annual proceeds for rood improvements.

Crittenden and Jefferson counties would be the location for two of the casinos. Either Union, Mississippi, White, or Pope county would be the location for the third.

There will be a $100 million minimum investment by the casino operators.

A poll conducted in 2016 found that 38 percent of Arkansas residents favored the idea of a casino. 49 percent were against it. 13 percent were unsure.

Currently slot machines are located at two parimutuel racetracks. However there are no Native American owned casinos or commercial casinos in the state.

Back Full Page >Arkansas Casinos Updates 2020

September 19, 2016

Lawsuit Asked to be Dropped by Pro Arkansas Casino Group

A lawsuit to stop the ballot measure that would allow for casinos has been filed. The lawsuit wants the election officials to be blocked from counting the measure's votes.

Arkansas Wins in 2016, the group in support of the measure, has asked the Arkansas Supreme Court to dismiss it.

Opponents to the measure feel that the wording used is misleading. They also believe that the law was not followed when it came to reporting paid canvassers.

However, Arkansas Wins in 2016 believes that their opponents have not provided information on how the proposed casino bill would adversely affect them.

September 17, 2016

Arkansas Casino Bill Supported by Cherokee Nation

The proposed casino ballot has gotten support from Cherokee Nation Businesses. $400,000 has been given to help fund the support for the measure.

On Thursday a report for the campaign financing was released. Arkansas Winning Initiative Inc., was given the money.

If the measure is approved a constitutional amendment would allow for the development of casinos in Washington, Boone, and Miller counties.

Cherokee Nation Businesses has expressed interest in operating the casino that would be located in Washington County.

$1 million was given by the tribe in June in support of the measure. In August a $100,000 loan was also given by Marc Williams of Branson, Missouri.

Operators of the two race tracks in the state have given over $100,00 to help stop the measure from being approved.

September 14, 2016

Arkansas Casino Bill Pushes Forward

Voters will decide this November if new casinos should be built in the state. The ballot measure, Issue 5, would allow for casinos in three areas. Those areas are Harrison, Texarkana, and Fayetteville.

Arkansas Wins in 2016 is the group behind the proposed bill. The group believes that the casinos would bring more tourism, create new jobs, and the revenue could be taxed. It is estimated that the casino tax money could earn Arkansas tens of millions each year.

The Family Council opposes the measure. The group believes that the casinos would hurt the local host communities and that casinos would not be under the control of the government.

Under the proposed measure, the governor would form an Arkansas Gaming Commission. The commission would regulate and enforce the gaming laws of the state.

If Issue 5 is voter approved, a state constitutional amendment would be needed.

September 06, 2016

Arkansas Casino Measure Could be Blocked by Lawsuit

On Tuesday the Arkansas Supreme Court was asked to stop the proposed casino measure from being added to November's ballot. The measure would allow for the legalization of casinos and allowing them to be built in three counties.

The lawsuit wants officials prevented from counting votes for the measure. The group behind the lawsuit is The Committee to Protect Arkansas' Values/Stop Casinos Now.

Miller, Washington, and Boone counties are the proposed locations for the casinos.

The language used in the proposed measure's title is believed to be misleading according to the people against the measure. They believe that potential consequences of the casinos are not clear for the voters.

Arkansas Wins in 2016 is behind the measure. The group believes that they will win against the lawsuit.

September 01, 2016

Issue 5 Casino Ballot Measure Approved for November Vote

Enough signatures have been submitted to let voters decide in November if they will approve three new casinos in the state.

Issue 5 is the ballot that would make an amendment to the Arkansas state constitution.

Arkansas Wins in 2016 is the group behind that proposed measure.

Cherokee Nation Entertainment has agreed to help in the development in a casino resort in Washington County.

Arkansas Secretary of State Mark Martin's office has verified over 100,000 signatures to approve the addition of the measure to November's ballot. The minimum amount of signatures need is 84,859.

August 17, 2016

50,000 More Signatures Submitted for Arkansas Casino Measure

50,000 more signatures have been submitted in support of a proposed ballot measure that would allow for three casinos to be developed. The measure would amendment of the state's constitution to allow for the new casinos.

The signatures were submitted by the group, Arkansas Wins.

The casinos would be built in Boone, Miller, and Washington counties. Cherokee Nation Entertainment has agreed to operate the Washington County casino.

Voters in Arkansas have not favored casino proposals in the past. However, a lottery and bingo for charity was approved by voters in 2008.

July 27, 2016

AR Casino Ballot Measure Given More Time

More time to collect signatures in support for casinos in Arkansas has been granted.

Miller, Boone, and Washington counties are the proposed areas for the casinos.

A constitutional amendment would be needed for casinos to be developed in the state.

63,725 signatures have been collected. That is 75% of the required total signatures of 84,859 needed. It was this reason that the extension was granted by the Secretary of State. The final signatures need to be collected and submitted by August 26.

Cherokee Nation Entertainment has agreed to operate the Washington County casino location if the measure is approved by voters.

July 08, 2016

Signatures Submitted for Arkansas Casino Measure

Signatures have been submitted by a group that is pushing for a November ballot measure that would allow for three counties in Arkansas to build casinos.

Over 92,000 signatures were turned in my the group Arkansas Wins in 2016. The law requires a minimum of 84,859 signatures.

The proposed measure would call for an amendment to be made to the state constitution. It would allow for casinos in Washington, Boone, and Miller counties.

It was announced last month that Cherokee Nation Entertainment has expressed interest in being the operator for the Washington County casino.

June 24,2016

Cherokee Nation Entertainment to Run Proposed Washington Casino

Three counties in Arkansas could be allowed to develop casinos in a measure is approved by voters this November. Of those casinos, Cherokee Nation Entertainment has agreed to be the operator of one in Washington County.

A committee has formed to support the measure. If approved, the state's constitution would need an amendment.

Cherokee Nation Entertainment has agreed to operate the hotel and entertainment center in addition to the casino.

Currently the company operates and owns nine casinos in Oklahoma. There is a tenth location that is being built now in Grove.

Land trust status will not be sought by the company.

Miller and Boone counties are the proposed locations for the other casinos.

June 03, 2016

Three News Casinos Proposed for Arkansas

May 12, 2016

Additional Casinos for Arkansas Rejected

On Thursday, a proposed measure that would expand casino gaming in Arkansas was rejected by the state Attorney General.

Boone, Miller, and Washington counties were the locations that would have been allowed casinos.

The measure was rejected based on lacking more in depth details and vague language.

Currently there are two casinos in the state. They are located in West Memphis and Hot Springs.

October 05, 2012

Casino Measure Denied by Supreme Court

The Arkansas Supreme Court rejected a new state measure that would allow for four casinos to be built.

Professional poker player, Nancy Todd had been one of the measure's main supporters. It was rejected by the state's Supreme Court due to the wording that was used. It was ruled by the court that voters would not be informed well enough by the way the measure was written.

Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel stated that the measure's wording was insufficient and vague. He also stated that the wording failed to educate the voters that the current electronic gaming law could also be repealed.

If the measure was approved, a new constitutional amendment would be made. It would allow for Las Vegas based company, Poker Palace LLC, rights to own and operate the proposed four new casinos.

Language changes to the bill were made by Nancy Todd and resubmitted to have it placed on the November ballot. Over 78,000 signatures were collected in support of the measure. However the Supreme Court ruled that the signatures were invalid due to being collected before Todd had changed bill.

January 16, 2008

Fort Smith Indian Casino Rejected by Federal Government

FORT SMITH, AR - The U.S. Department of the Interior rejected a proposal by the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians to build a riverfront casino in Fort Smith. The tribe had applied to the department to place 10 acres of into federal trust for the purpose of building a casino.

In a surprising change of policy, the Interior Department added a new criteria based on commuting distance from a reservation to a casino. The Keetoowah live in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, a distance of 90 miles. The proposed casino site is near the ancestral lands of the Keetoowah.

Based on this distance criteria, the department rejected the tribe's application along with similar applications from ten other tribes across the country.

The tribe is considering an appeal.

May 12, 2016

Additional Casinos for Arkansas Rejected

On Thursday, a proposed measure that would expand casino gaming in Arkansas was rejected by the state Attorney General.

Boone, Miller, and Washington counties were the locations that would have been allowed casinos.

The measure was rejected based on lacking more in depth details and vague language.

Currently there are two casinos in the state. They are located in West Memphis and Hot Springs.

October 05, 2012

Casino Measure Denied by Supreme Court

The Arkansas Supreme Court rejected a new state measure that would allow for four casinos to be built.

Professional poker player, Nancy Todd had been one of the measure's main supporters. It was rejected by the state's Supreme Court due to the wording that was used. It was ruled by the court that voters would not be informed well enough by the way the measure was written.

Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel stated that the measure's wording was insufficient and vague. He also stated that the wording failed to educate the voters that the current electronic gaming law could also be repealed.

If the measure was approved, a new constitutional amendment would be made. It would allow for Las Vegas based company, Poker Palace LLC, rights to own and operate the proposed four new casinos.

Language changes to the bill were made by Nancy Todd and resubmitted to have it placed on the November ballot. Over 78,000 signatures were collected in support of the measure. However the Supreme Court ruled that the signatures were invalid due to being collected before Todd had changed bill.

January 16, 2008

Fort Smith Indian Casino Rejected by Federal Government

FORT SMITH, AR - The U.S. Department of the Interior rejected a proposal by the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians to build a riverfront casino in Fort Smith. The tribe had applied to the department to place 10 acres of into federal trust for the purpose of building a casino.

In a surprising change of policy, the Interior Department added a new criteria based on commuting distance from a reservation to a casino. The Keetoowah live in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, a distance of 90 miles. The proposed casino site is near the ancestral lands of the Keetoowah.

Based on this distance criteria, the department rejected the tribe's application along with similar applications from ten other tribes across the country.

The tribe is considering an appeal.

More Headlines

Arkansas' Pope County casino selection is pendingApril 25, 2020 - The final selection of a casino applicant to build a casino in Pope County is in its last phase. The Arkansas Racing Commission will decide sometime after July 1st whether to license the Legends Resort... Read moreCherokee Nation study shows $3B economic impact from proposed Arkansas casinoFebruary 21, 2020 - This week Cherokee Nation Businesses released a study showing a $3B economic impact on Pope County and Northwest Arkansas from the proposed Legends... Read moreSaracen Casino targets June 26 completionFebruary 2, 2020 - Construction of Saracen Casino's 80,000 SF casino continues 24/7 with a scheduled completion date of June 26 or sooner. The casino will open with 2,000 slot machines, 30-50 table games, 7 restaurants... Read moreChoctaw Nation files for Arkansas casinoNovember 23, 2019 - The Choctaw Nation submitted an application with the Arkansas Racing Commission for a license to build a commercial casino in Pope County. The submission was just hours before the 4:30PM final deadline... Read moreCherokee Nation's casino proposal is rejected by Russellville City CouncilOctober 11, 2019 - Last week the Russellville City Council rejected the casino application from the Cherokee Nations and Legends Hospitality as incomplete. The $225M casino proposal... Read moreSaracen Casino Annex opens 300 slots on Oct 1September 29, 2019 - While construction progresses on the new Saracen Casino & Resort, the Quapaw Nation is opening 300 slot machines to the public Oct 1 in a annex building at the building site.... Read moreCherokee Nation, Legends preview $225M Legends Resort & Casino ArkansasAugust 12, 2019 - Plans to build the Legends Resort & Casino Arkansas in Russellville were revealed today. The $225M project includes an outdoor waterpark, outdoor music venue, ... Read moreCherokee Nation selected for Pope County casinoAugust 11, 2019 - The Cherokee Nation in partnership with Legends, a Cowboys/Yankees-backed hospitality company, wins court endorsement to build a casino and hotel complex in Russellville.... Read moreNew Saracen Casino will break ground Aug 5July 27, 2019 - The Quapaw Nation of Oklahoma will break ground on its new Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, on Monday August 5th. Construction is expected to be completed next summer.... Read moreArkansas Launches Sports BettingJuly 2, 2019 - Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort is the first of four casinos in Arkansas to launch their sports book. Tellers and kiosks opened July 1 in the VIP racing area of the casino.... Read moreSaracen Casino Resort wins sole casino license for Jefferson CountyJune 14, 2019 - The Arkansas Racing Commission unanimously approved the casino license for the Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma to build thier Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Bluffs, Arkansas.... Read moreArkansas has 6 bids for 2 new casinosMay 31, 2019 - The Arkansas Racing Commission recieved 6 applications to build casinos in Pope and Jefferson counties. Deadline for submission was May 30th. The Commission's next step is ... Read moreQuapaw Nation Applies for Arkansas CasinoMay 1, 2019 - The Quapaw Nation was the first to apply to build a casino under the new Arkansas casino law. The tribe proposes a $240 million casino in the town of Pine Bluff in Jefferson County.... Read moreArkansas' First Casinos Open at Two RacetracksApril 1, 2009 - Five months after voters approved casino gambling in Arkansas, two race tracks have officially began casino operations with blackjack, poker, roulette, and slots machines.... Read moreSaracen Casino Resort Project UpdateMarch 9, 2019 - The Quapaw Tribe intends to start construction on the Saracen Casino immediately after the state approves its gaming license. The construction timeline will be similar to building the Downstream Casino in Oklahoma.... Read moreSaracen Casino Resort Status ReportFebruary 26, 2019 - This is a summary of the key progress made since the Nov 2018 election which allowed a casino to be built in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Includes timelines, schedules and opening date.... Read moreSouthland Plans $250M Casino and HotelJanuary 25, 2019 - Southland is planning a major expansion of facilities costing $250 million. The plan includes a casino with 2,400 slot machines and 60 live table games plus a 20-story hotel.... Read moreVIDEO: 'River Valley Casino Resort' is Proposed for Pope CountyDecember 28, 2018 - This casino proposal would be built in 3 phases and features 2,100 slot machines, 100 table games and 600 hotel rooms. Opening date is late fall 2020.... Read moreOaklawn announces major expansion with hotel, events centerNovember 19, 2018 - The Oaklawn racetrack will spend $100 million to build a 200-room hotel, a multipurpose event center and a larger gaming floor.... Read moreProposed Saracen Casino Resort gets city and county government supportDecember 09, 2018 - The Quapaw Nation of Oklahoma has received governmental support from both the county and city to build a casino resort in Pine Blluff, Arkansas.... Read moreQuapaw Tribe plan Pine Bluff casino to open early 2020November 08, 2018 - The Quapaw Tribe is seeking state approval by April 2019, so construction can start in mid-2019 and the casino could open in early 2020.... Read moreArkansas voters pass casino amendmentNovember 06, 2018 - Amendment 3 to authorize casinos in Arkansas was passed by voters in the Nov 3rd election.... Read moreQuapaw tribe contributes $1.4M to support casino referencdumSeptember 18, 2018 - The Quapaw Tribe in Oklahoma supports the Arkansas ballot referendum to allow development of 4 casinos. The tribe's donations to Driving Arkansas Forward total $1.4M.... Read moreOklahoma Tribes contribute funds to Arkansas Casino CampaignJuly 18, 2018 - Two Oklahoma tribes are contributing to the Arkansas casino campaign. The Cherokee Nation has already contributed $525,300 and the Quapaw have contributed $707,000.... Read moreArkansas casino measure is officially on Nov 6 ballotMay 29, 2018 - Arkansas voters will be asked on their November ballot whether or not the state should legalize up to four casinos.... Read moreArkansas AG rejects casinos ballot initiative
April 11, 2018 - A 2018 ballot proposal by Arkansas Wins in 2018 Inc to legalize four casinos has be rejected by Attorney General Leslie Rutledge.... Read moreArkansas Election Measure Proposes Three Casinos
01.08.2018 - A constitutional amendment has been submitted to state Attorney General Leslie Rutledge's office last week. The amendment would allow for three casinos to be developed in Arkansas.... Read more

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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — The Latest on the 2018 election in Arkansas (all times local):

11:15 p.m.

Arkansas voters have approved a measure legalizing casinos in four counties, including at a horse track and dog track that already offer video poker and other electronic gambling.

Voters on Tuesday approved a constitutional amendment that allows the casinos at the Southland dog track in West Memphis and the Oaklawn horse track in Hot Springs. The measure also legalizes casinos in Pope and Jefferson counties.

The Cherokee and Quapaw tribes in Oklahoma spent more than $4 million combined campaigning for the measure, which supporters have touted as a way to keep gambling revenue in Arkansas. The state Supreme Court last month rejected two lawsuits that tried to get the proposal disqualified from the ballot.

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11 p.m.

An Arkansas Supreme Court justice has won re-election after facing a barrage of attack ads and mailers from a Washington-based conservative group.

Justice Courtney Goodson defeated challenger and Department of Human Services Chief Counsel David Sterling in the non-partisan race.

The Republican State Leadership Committee spent $1.2 million on TV ads and mailers in the weeks leading up to the election. Goodson portrayed her re-election bid as a referendum on outside groups’ involvement in judicial races. She had sued to stop the RSLC’s mailers and ads. She lost her bid for chief justice two years ago after facing similar outside attacks.

The group also had run ads promoting Sterling that linked him to President Donald Trump and Gov. Asa Hutchinson.

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10:45 p.m.

A Republican congressman has won re-election to his central Arkansas seat after defeating a cancer survivor who railed against the incumbent’s vote to repeal the federal health care law.

U.S. Rep. French Hill won a third term on Tuesday against Democratic challenger Clarke Tucker in the race for the 2nd District seat covering Little Rock and seven central Arkansas counties. Hill was first elected to the seat in 2014.

Tucker and national Democrats had believed they had a chance to flip the Republican-held seat over Hill’s vote against the federal health overhaul. Tucker, a state representative, had run ads recounting his battle against bladder cancer.

Hill had run a series of ads trying to tie Tucker to national Democratic figures like Hillary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi.

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10:30 p.m.

Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge has been elected to her second term in office.

Rutledge became Arkansas’ first female attorney general when she was elected in 2014. She won a second term Tuesday night by defeating Democrat Mike Lee and Libertarian Kerry Hicks.

Rutledge is also Arkansas’ first constitutional officer to give birth while in office. Her daughter, Julianna, was born in July.

Rutledge, a Republican, described herself as a “gun carrying, conservative momma” in campaign ads. She currently serves as chairwoman of the Republican Attorneys General Association.

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10:20 p.m.

Arkansas voters have approved a plan to gradually raise the state’s minimum wage from $8.50 an hour to $11.

Voters on Tuesday approved the proposed initiated act, which raises the state’s minimum wage to $9.25 an hour on Jan. 1. The law then raises the wage to $10 an hour on Jan. 1, 2020, and $11 an hour on Jan. 1, 2021.

The state Supreme Court last month rejected a lawsuit from business groups who had challenged the signatures submitted in favor of the wage hike measure. The proposal is the second minimum wage hike increase Arkansas voters have approved over the past four years. Voters in 2014 approved a plan to gradually raise the state’s previous minimum wage from $6.25 an hour.

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10:18 p.m.

Arkansas voters have added to the state’s constitution a requirement that photo identification be shown in order to cast to a ballot.

The voter ID constitutional amendment was approved in Tuesday’s election. The measure adds showing photo ID to the list of qualifications to vote in the state.

Arkansas already has a voter ID law in effect that was approved by the state’s Republican-led Legislature and governor last year. The state Supreme Court last month upheld the measure and said the Legislature had the power to enact such a restriction.

The state Supreme Court in 2014 struck down a nearly identical version of the voter ID law that’s now in effect.

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10 p.m.

Republican congressman Bruce Westerman has been elected to his third term to a U.S. House seat representing southern and western Arkansas.

Westerman is a former state lawmaker from Hot Springs. He defeated Hayden Shamel, who is chairwoman of the Garland County Democratic Party, and Libertarian Tom Canada in Tuesday’s contest.

Shamel, a teacher at Lakeside High School, made education and health care central to her campaign.

Westerman, who was first elected in 2014, has a graduate degree in forestry and serves as chairman of the oversight and investigations subcommittee of the House Natural Resources Committee.

The seat representing the sprawling 4th Congressional District had long been a Democratic stronghold but has been in Republican hands since 2012, when Tom Cotton was elected to Congress.

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9:25 p.m.

An Arkansas Republican congressman has been re-elected to his fifth term representing the state’s 1st District, defeating a long-shot Democratic challenger.

Rep. Rick Crawford beat Democrat Chintan Desai in the northeastern district that includes Jonesboro and West Memphis.

After graduating high school, Crawford served four years in the army defusing explosive devices. He then enrolled at Arkansas State University, where he graduated in 1996.

In 2010, Crawford ran for the House seat vacated by former Rep. Marion Berry.

Crawford serves on the House Agriculture and Transportation and Infrastructure committees as well as the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. He also co-founded two agricultural caucuses: the Congressional Rice Caucus and the Congressional Chicken Caucus.

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9:05 p.m.

A Republican legislator who co-sponsored a law expanding where concealed handguns are allowed in Arkansas has lost re-election.

Democrat Denise Garner defeated Republican Rep. Charlie Collins’ bid for re-election to House District 84 in northwest Arkansas. Collins was first elected to the seat in 2010.

Collins last year sponsored legislation that the state’s Republican governor signed into law allowing someone with a concealed handgun license to carry at state colleges, some bars and government buildings if they undergo up to eight hours of active-shooter training. A follow-up measure signed into law exempted college sporting facilities from the concealed carry expansion.

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8:50 p.m.

An incumbent Republican congressman has defeated a long-shot Democratic challenger to win re-election to his northwest Arkansas seat.

U.S. Rep. Steve Womack won a fifth term Tuesday in Arkansas’s 3rd Congressional District against Democrat Joshua Mahony. Womack was first elected to the district that includes Fayetteville and Fort Smith in 2010.

Womack has chaired the House Budget Committee since the beginning of the year.

After enlisting in the Arkansas Army National Guard, Womack and his father started a radio station. Womack also worked as a financial consultant for Merrill Lynch before being elected mayor of Rogers, Arkansas, where he served for 12 years.

In 2010, Womack easily won election to the House seat when John Boozman, who had held the seat, was elected to the U.S. Senate.

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8:05 p.m.

Re-elected Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson has said that his win Tuesday night shows that Arkansas is headed in the right direction.

Hutchinson told The Associated Press that voters demonstrated they agree with his plan for the future of the state, which includes a new highway plan, lowered taxes and a streamlined state government.

Hutchinson won a second term against Democratic nominee Jared Henderson, a former Teach for America executive who had criticized Hutchinson on the state’s Medicaid work requirement.

Henderson told The Associated Press that while he was disappointed in his loss, he remains optimistic about the Democratic Party in Arkansas. He also said it’s very likely that he will run for office again.

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7:31 p.m.

Republican Asa Hutchinson has won re-election as Arkansas governor, defeating a Democratic challenger who had criticized him over the state’s Medicaid work requirement.

Hutchinson won a second term and defeated Democratic nominee Jared Henderson, a former executive with Teach for America. Hutchinson is a former congressman and federal Homeland Security official who was first elected to office in 2014.

Hutchinson had been the favorite in the race and touted more than $150 million in tax cuts he has signed into law since taking office.

Henderson had criticized Hutchinson over the state’s requirement that some on the state’s expanded Medicaid program work or lose their coverage. Nearly 8,500 have been kicked off the program for not meeting the requirement.

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7:30 p.m.

Polls are now closed for voting in Arkansas’ general election.

Polling sites were busy throughout much of Arkansas on Tuesday as voters cast ballots. And that’s in addition to the more than 450,000 votes that were cast in early and absentee voting throughout the state.

Arkansas voters are being asked whether to raise the state’s minimum wage, legalize casinos in four counties and enshrine a voter ID requirement in the state constitution. They’re also weighing in on the state’s constitutional offices, and whether to re-elect the state’s four congressmen, who are all Republicans.

Voters in Little Rock are also choosing a new mayor.

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6:25 p.m.

Voter turnout was brisk on a sunny Election Day in central Arkansas.

Mother and daughter Kim and Mylisa Angel voted in Bryant after scrambling to get an ID card for Mylisa, who cast a ballot for the first time Tuesday. Both said they talked over the issues before the election and said they voted similarly in most races, except where they disagreed on the minimum wage ballot measure, with Mylisa supporting it and Kim opposing it.

In Little Rock, medical biller Sabrina Raveendran said she voted a straight Democratic ticket to send a message of change. Raveendran’s father is Sri Lankan and her mother is Trinidadian, and she said was motivated to vote after President Donald Trump said he wanted to eliminate citizenship for the children of immigrants.

Polls will close at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

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10:35 a.m.

Arkansas voters are going to the polls to cast their ballots for the midterm election.

On Tuesday’s ballot is a race for governor between incumbent Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson and Democrat Jared Henderson, a proposal to raise the state’s minimum wage and ballot measures to legalize casinos in four counties.

Voter Angela Bledsoe said she voted for the casino measure because she believes it will generate revenue for the state.

Voters are also considering a proposal to enshrine a voter ID requirement in the state constitution.

In central Arkansas, Democrat Clarke Tucker is trying to unseat incumbent U.S. Rep. French Hill for the 2nd Congressional District seat.

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7:30 a.m.

Polls are now open for Arkansas voters casting ballots in Tuesday’s general election.

Leading the ballot is the race for Arkansas governor, as well as ballot measures that would increase the minimum wage, legalize casinos in four counties and enshrine a voter ID requirement in the state constitution.

In central Arkansas, Democrat Clarke Tucker is trying to unseat incumbent U.S. Rep. French Hill for the 2nd Congressional District seat.

State officials have reported brisk turnout in early and absentee votes, with more than 412,000 ballots already cast as of Monday.

Polls are open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

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8:15 p.m.

An Arkansas Supreme Court justice is fighting for her political career in a re-election bid that’s been marked by heavy spending by outside groups blanketing airwaves with attack ads, while voters are being asked to raise the state’s minimum wage.

The Arkansas secretary of state’s office hasn’t predicted how many of the state’s nearly 1.8 million registered voters will cast a ballot in Tuesday’s general election.

Justice Courtney Goodson has faced a new barrage of attack ads and mailers in her re-election fight against David Sterling.

The Republican State Leadership Committee’s Judicial Fairness Initiative has spent more than $1.2 million this fall on mailers and TV ads in the race. Similar outside spending sank Goodson’s bid to become the court’s chief justice two years ago.