Family Council Denounces Poker Amendment
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRIDAY, MAY 4, 2012
In a statement issued Friday, Family Council President Jerry Cox denounced a push to further legalize casino gambling in Arkansas.
“This is yet another case of a corporation trying to write itself into the Arkansas Constitution,” Cox said. “Nancy Todd’s Poker Palace and Entertainment, LLC, wants a casino monopoly. That’s what this is about.”
Cox pointed out this is not the first time a corporation has tried to write itself into the constitution. “Michael Wasserman, out of Texas, has tried it. This attempt isn’t any different. These people aren’t doing Arkansas any favors. They aren’t bringing casinos to Arkansas to benefit Arkansas. They’re doing it to fatten their wallets.”
Cox also addressed his group’s opposition to gambling in general. “It’s no secret that we oppose gambling. It hurts the poor, and pulls money out of the local economy. We fought the legalization of the so-called ‘games of skill’ at Oaklawn and Southland; now their racetracks are essentially just casinos with horses or greyhounds out back. We fought the lottery; you only have to read the papers to see what a fiasco it has been. If Arkansas lets a private company write itself into the constitution, I can guarantee we’re going to have even more trouble.”
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