Arkansas voters approve Amendment 100 to the state Constitution, allowing casino gambling in four counties, including Pope. The vote sets off a years-long competition for the single Pope County license.

Arkansas Racing Commission officials find that none of five initial license applicants had the required support of local officials. Applicants included Gulfside Casino Partnership of Mississippi and two Oklahoma tribal operators: Cherokee Nation Businesses and the Choctaw Nation.

After a second application window, CNB gains the support of Pope County Judge Ben Cross and a resolution of support from the Quorum Court, positioning it as the frontrunner for the license.

Pulaski County Circuit Judge Wendell Griffen prevents the Racing Commission from granting the Pope County license after a court challenge. The commission ends the second 90-day application period.

The commission grants the Pope County license to Gulfside Casino Partnership, which plans a gambling hall and hotel north of Russellville.

The Arkansas Supreme Court rules that lawmakers and commissioners did not overstep their powers by adding casino licensing requirements to Amendment 100. It finds validity in a letter of support that Pope County Judge Jim Ed Gibson submitted in favor of Gulfside days before Gibson's term ended Dec. 31, 2018.

The commission issues the Pope County license to CNB after nullifying the license to Gulfside. CNB announces plans for a $225 million casino and resort.

The state Supreme Court upholds a ruling that the commission violated Amendment 100 by awarding the license to CNB and Cherokee Nation Entertainment, an affiliate. The amendment requires licenses to go to a single entity, not affiliated organizations.

The Racing Commission opens a new application period. Gulfside and Cherokee Nation Entertainment are the only applicants. Commissioners eventually reject Gulfside for lacking the necessary letter of support from local government.

The Racing Commission grants the Pope County license to Cherokee Nation Entertainment, which announces construction plans for the casino resort.

Ballot question committee Local Voters in Charge submits signatures of registered voters to put Issue 2 on the Nov. 5 ballot. The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma supports the drive, ultimately contributing $17.65 million to the effort. Signatures are sufficient to put the issue on the ballot.

The state Supreme Court rejects legal challenges and clears the way for votes on Issue 2 to be counted in the November election.

Arkansas voters approve Issue 2, which becomes Amendment 104, nullifying the CNE license and voiding the Racing Commission's ability to grant a gaming license in Pope County. CNB, CNE, and Russellville employee Jennifer McGill promptly sue the state in federal court, claiming Amendment 104 violates the U.S. Constitution.

U.S. District Judge D. Price Marshall Jr. upholds the amendment, finding that Amendment 104 did not violate the contracts clause, takings clause, or bill of attainder provisions of the U.S. Constitution.

The Arkansas Supreme Court strikes down a 74-year precedent set in Arkansas Game & Fish Commission v. Edgmon. The unanimous ruling declares that the Arkansas General Assembly can alter or repeal voter-approved constitutional amendments with a two-thirds majority of both chambers — raising speculation that a legislative path may exist to restore the Pope County casino license.

As speculation circulates that a legislative path may be open to restore the Pope County casino license, the Cherokees and McGill appeal Marshall's ruling to the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis. The state has until the end of January 2026 to respond to the appeal brief.