Gulfside Casino Partnership, the gaming operation against which Cherokee Nation Businesses is fighting for the right to open a casino in Russellville, has submitted a filing with the Arkansas Supreme Court asking that Pope County not be allowed to enter the licensing case.

Gulfside filed Aug. 20 in response to an amicus brief submitted on Aug. 9 by County Judge Ben Cross, of Pope County, on behalf of CNB.

Though Gulfside was awarded the casino license in July 2020, CNB has contended that Gulfside’s bid ran afoul of Arkansas gaming law because it used endorsements from county officials no longer in office at the time of submission, among other arguments.