Operator News
US – Gulfside Casino Partnership sets its sights on $250m Pope casino project
By Phil - 3 January 2019
Gulfside Casino Partnership, a Mississippi-based casino operator, has submitted a letter to the Arkansas Racing Commission from Pope County Judge Jim Ed Gibson in support of its application for casino gaming.
Once approved by state regulators, Gulfside has committed to build a three-phase $250m resort casino in Russellville, Pope County, Arkansas.
“We are excited to make a significant economic investment in the Arkansas River Valley with this first-class resort,” says Terry Green, co-owner of Gulfside. “This project will create more than 1,500 new jobs and generate millions of dollars in taxes – improving the county’s infrastructure and its overall quality of life.”
In November 2018, the state’s voters approved Amendment 100 of the Arkansas Constitution. The amendment allows local leaders to select, through a letter of support, who applies for a casino license in their community. The new amendment grants casino licenses to existing Arkansas institutions, including Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs and Southland Park in West Memphis. In addition, it provides for new licenses to be granted in Jefferson and Pope Counties. According to the amendment, the Arkansas Racing Commission is required to promulgate rules for the state’s new casino gaming structure no later than March 14.
“We have been in discussions with local leaders since March,” says Casey Castleberry, Gulfside’s attorney. “The Arkansas Constitution clearly supersedes any local ordinance. This process is playing out as intended by Amendment 100.”
Gulfside currently operates Island View Casino Resort in Gulfport, Mississippi. Pending regulatory approval, its Pope County River Valley Casino is expected to open by mid-2020.
Although the project has received a letter of support from outgoing Pope County Judge Jim Ed Gibson, incoming Pope County Judge-elect Ben Cross confirmed that he wouldn’t be supporting any potential casino operators.
Judge Cross issued a statement confirming his stance on casino expansion in Pope County and slamming Judge Gibson’s support as ‘appalling.’
“It is with great discouragement and dismay to have learned of the actions of the current county judge in regards to the casino issue,’ Judge Cross said. ‘To have a lame duck official act in total disregard to the express wishes of the residents of Pope County is appalling and a complete affront to our representative democracy. My stance has been, and continues to be, to oppose any casino operation in Pope County. This is in accordance with the overwhelming majority vote established by the November 6th general election of Pope County voters. Legal challenges aside, it is my responsibility to represent and respect the voter’s decision of those who elected me to lead our county.”
