Arkansas makes casinos legal

Arkansas has become the latest state to legalise casinos. The constitutional amendment for the same has been approved. As a result, licenses have been allotted to four casinos. Two casinos have also been approved.

Issue 4 offers power to the state to license casinos in Jefferson and Pope counties, which are also eligible to offer sports betting if they decide to do so. Moreover, it allows the expansion of operations at Oaklawn Racing and Gaming in Hot Springs and Southland Gaming and Racing in West Memphis. Both facilities offer electronic games of skill since 2005.

Alex Gray, counsel for the Driving Arkansas Forward, the group that sponsored the ballot, said that the voters approved the amendment because they interpreted the committee’s message of wanting to keep tax dollars in the state and create jobs, as well as develop the local economy.

Re-elected Governor Asa Hutchinson said that he does not support the measure and he continues to have “great concern over the immediate and negative impact on the state’s budget.” He added: “But the people have spoken, and I respect their will,” the Republican governor said in a written statement. “Time will tell as to what this means for our state, and it remains to be seen as to whether the communities affected will consent to the gambling initiative.”