A federal judge ruled Wednesday that Issue 2, revoking a Pope County casino license, can go into effect, over objections from the license holder.

A lawsuit filed by Cherokee Nation Businesses against the state over passage of Issue 2 on Election Day that would revoke its casino license in Pope County less than six months after it was issued was dealt a major blow Tuesday by a federal judge who "reluctantly denied" a temporary restraining order barring the state from implementing Issue 2 and saying the casino licensee is unlikely to prevail at trial on any of its constitutional claims.

Known as Issue 2, a majority of voters statewide approved a proposed constitutional amendment to repeal a Pope County casino license and require countywide elections for future casinos in the state. A majority of voters in seven counties rejected the ...

A ballot measure revoking a casino license and adding hurdles to issue new ones, is being challenged by the holder of the license set to be revoked.

A federal U.S. District Court judge heard arguments on Tuesday, Nov. 12 concerning Issue 2 should be put on hold.