Rumour also has it that the Choctaw Nation has been aligned with Oaklawn Park, which already operates a casino in Hot Springs. Previously, the lobbyists of the Choctaw Nation had been working, mostly out of sight, to hinder the casino approval process so that they prevent competition to their casino venue that is situated in close proximity to Fort Smith.

The Fair Play Arkansas group was established by residents of Pope County as part of their effort to strip the Arkansas Constitution of the provision under which the Pope County casino license is allowed to be awarded. This decision has been attacked in court by a Mississippi casino operator, along with casino opponents. Currently, the approval process remains on hold because of an ongoing court battle, after the Arkansas Racing Commission has granted the permit to the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. The Indian tribe was one of the applicants for the aforementioned casino license that was authorized under the provisions of a constitutional amendment but, unfortunately, dropped off the competition at an early stage. The Choctaw Nation, a Native American nation that operates casino venues in Oklahoma, has joined the opposition to the establishment of a casino in Pope County.