According to reports filed with the state Ethics Commission, the group Arcade Arkansas has spent $234,784.49 on its effort to bring more casino-style gambling to Arkansas.
Arcade Arkansas is collecting petition signatures for a ballot measure that would legalize gambling machines as part of the Arkansas Lottery.
As we said last summer, this amendment will bring casino-type gambling machines into convenience stores and eating places all over Arkansas.
It will turn the corner convenience store into a casino and create hangouts where people can gamble 24 hours a day.
The amendment allows up to 15,000 gambling machines statewide with little or no oversight to prevent fraud.
Since August, Arcade Arkansas has raised nearly $239,000 for its effort, and it has spent nearly $235,000.
Most of this money has gone to pay petition canvassers and consultants.
The fact that Arcade Arkansas is spending so much money on its petition drive means there’s a very strong possibility the group will gather enough signatures to place its amendment on the ballot this November.
