River Valley Casino

River Valley Casino Review Jump to comments

*Gulfside needs to get the voters in Pope County on board for its licensing ambition to come to fruition.  

Proposed by Gulfside Casino Partnership, which operates Island View Casino Resort in Gulfport, Mississippi, River Valley Casino Resort would be located in Russellville, Arkansas. The three-phase $200 million project in Pope County will require approval by state regulators after voters statewide approved casino gaming in last month's election.

The casino is expected to open in fall 2020 and would reportedly feature a 300-room hotel, including 40 suites, a 6,500 sq.ft. spa and fitness center and meeting and convention space. Dining options would include a 300-seat buffet, a fine-dining steakhouse, 24-hour cafe, and a coffee and pastry shop. Other property amenities include retail/shopping, a pool bar and deck, and an outdoor amphitheater & entertainment area to accommodate more than 2,000 guests.

Gambling would include 60,000 sq. ft. of gaming space with 1,500 slot machines and 50 table games, alongside a show bar and casino bar, sports bar with live sports betting and a casino lounge/club.

There would also be ample parking with a surface parking lot as well as a parking garage.

WCD will include all of the latest updates here as we receive them.

 

UPDATE February 2026: 

• Federal Court Dismissal (August 2025): U.S. District Judge D.P. Marshall Jr. upheld the constitutionality of Issue 2 (now Amendment 104), which Arkansas voters passed in November 2024. This amendment revoked the Pope County casino license and stripped the state's authority to issue a new one without a local countywide vote.
• Appellate Challenge (January 2026): Cherokee Nation Entertainment (the rival bidder that briefly held the license) has appealed this decision to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. They argue that the state set a "dangerous precedent" by revoking a license without compensation. While this appeal primarily concerns the Cherokee license, its outcome will determine if any casino project—including Gulfside's—can proceed in Pope County.
• Gulfside Lawsuit Status: Gulfside’s 2024 lawsuit, which challenged the initial awarding of the license to the Cherokees, has been largely overshadowed by the broader constitutional battle over Issue 2. Since the license itself was repealed by the state constitution, Gulfside currently has no legal path to a license unless the new amendment is overturned or a local election is held. 

Top Rated Online Casinos for United States

Rate River Valley Casino

Dining & Restaurants

Cafe

• Serving: Cafe/Variety

24-hour cafe.

Buffet

Planned 300-seat buffet.

Steakhouse

• Serving: Steakhouse

Fine dining steakhouse. 

Coffee and Pastry Shop

• Serving: Pastries, Coffee House

River Valley Casino Venues & Hotspots

Sports Bar

Casino Lounge/Club

Show Bar/Casino Bar

Pool Bar

Meeting & Event Facilities