On Thursday, the Arkansas House Judiciary Committee referred H.B. 1861 — a bad bill that would legalize internet gambling — to Interim Study.
Sending a bill to Interim Study means the legislature may discuss the legislation between now and the next regular legislative session, but the lawmakers will not vote on the issue for now.
H.B. 1861 by Rep. Matt Duffield (R — Russellville) and Sen. Jamie Scott (D — North Little Rock) would let casinos licensed in Arkansas conduct Internet gambling online from anywhere in Arkansas.
Current law allows gambling at three casinos in the state — Oaklawn, Southland, and Saracen — and sports betting is allowed online via smart phones.
H.B. 1861 would let these casinos run slots and other types of gambling online, statewide. Following extensive debate in committee on Wednesday, Rep. Duffield requested to pull the bill down so it could be sent to Interim Study.
We already have seen how gambling addiction has become a serious problem. Last year the Arkansas Problem Gambling Council announced it has seen a 22% increase in calls for help with problem gambling — driven largely by sports betting.
Internet gambling would make it possible for compulsive gamblers to gamble — and lose — 24 hours a day from anywhere in Arkansas. That kind of gambling ruins lives, tears families apart, and hurts communities.
Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.
