Trial Held in Lawsuit Over Casino Amendment

Gambling

This week the federal court in Little Rock held a bench trial in the lawsuit over Issue 2.

Issue 2 is a constitutional amendment that voters passed on November 5. The measure prevents the State of Arkansas from licensing a casino in Pope County.

It also prevents any additional casinos from being opened in Arkansas without a new constitutional amendment and without local voter approval at a special election.

Cherokee Nation Business received a license to operate a casino in Pope County before Issue 2 passed.

After Issue 2 passed, Cherokee Nation Business filed a federal lawsuit to block the amendment.

This week the federal court in Little Rock held a bench trial in the case. U.S. District Judge D.P. Marshall, Jr. has indicated he plans to resolve the case quickly.

Legalized gambling has become a scourge in our state. On average, Arkansans are gambling more than a million dollars every day on sports betting alone. In spite of that, casino tax revenue has not improved Arkansas’ roads or boosted the economy. Instead it’s hurt our communities. Last year the Arkansas Problem Gambling Council reported a 22% increase in calls for help with problem gambling this year. Unless Arkansans take a stand, gambling addiction is simply going to continue wrecking lives and hurting families in our state.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

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Legislation Filed to Double the Alcohol Content in Beer

Alcohol,

A bill filed on Wednesday would dramatically expand the alcohol content in beer and malt beverages in Arkansas.

S.B. 564 by Sen. Scott Flippo (R — Bull Shoals) and Rep. Matt Brown (R — Conway) raises the legal alcohol content for beer from 5% to 10% alcohol by weight, and it allows malt beverages to contain up to 21% alcohol by weight.

S.B. 564 is very similar to a bad bill the Arkansas House of Representatives rejected in February.

Under this measure, the alcohol content in beer could double. That could make stronger alcoholic drinks more widely available in stores and other locations where beer is currently sold across Arkansas.

At this point, alcohol is readily available in Arkansas. Any law expanding its strength, availability, or consumption raises serious concerns about DUI offenses, crime, public health, and public safety.

That is why Family Council generally opposes the expansion of alcohol in Arkansas.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

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