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Despite apparent opposition to the possibility of a casino in Pope County, it hasn't stopped casino operators from scouting out the River Valley and expressing interest applying for the county's sole gaming license.

Voters gave a thumbs up to casino expansion at existing gaming facilities in Hot Springs and West Memphis, and opened up the possibility of casino gaming in both Jefferson and Pope counties with the approval of Issue 4 in November.

The Quapaw Nation has already drawn up plans for a casino resort in Pine Bluff and started making moves to apply for the Jefferson County license, Oaklawn has announced their expansion and Southland as well - so far there hasn't been anything publicized about plans for Pope County.

The constitutional amendment approved by the passage of Issue 4 requires as part of the process of applying to the Arkansas Racing Commission, interested casino operators obtain letters of support from county officials. Pope County Judge-elect Ben Cross says he doesn't plan on writing any letters of support.

"I will follow the wishes of the people, and the wishes of the people were spoken in my view at the November general election when they voted this issue down 60-40 within Pope County," said Cross.

Not one casino operator has actually applied for the Pope County gaming license, but it's been no secret the Cherokee Nation has had their eye on the River Valley. According to Cross, he's been approached by at least three groups in addition to the Cherokee; Cross declined to divulge specifics on any of the other interested vendors.

While Cross, the Pope County Quorum Court and Russellville Mayor-elect Richard Harris all reportedly don't plan on issuing letters of support for potential casino operators, something Cross said he understands is required from a combination of all three for interested parties' applications to be considered, he's convinced at least one of those groups will challenge it all in court.

"There will be moves either by the gaming industry or individuals that try to circumvent this part of the process, and that will ultimately be left to the courts to decide," said Cross.

Cross said the county plans to spend no money funding any litigation to avoid the casinos since he says state law bars county judges and quorum courts from taking any action that would supersede state law, or in this case a constitutional amendment.

Obviously sympathetic to the cause, Cross believes the Citizens for a Better Pope County initiative likely doesn't have a legal leg to stand on. The group was about to pass an ordinance on the same ballot as Issue 4, requiring another local vote on a Pope County casino.

"I don't think it will stand the legal test because it's in direct violation of state law as it stands," said Cross.