Driven by Sports Betting, Arkansas Problem Gambling Council Reports Spike in Calls for Help

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KATV reports the Arkansas Problem Gambling Council has seen a 22% increase in calls for help in 2024:

Between sports, horse racing, and casinos, the thrill of a possible big-money win keeps Arkansans coming back for more.

“The love of the game, the love of sports, but it’s also with the advancement of technology,” said Vena Schexnayder of the APGC. “Right now, we carry little casinos in our pocket and that’s our phones.”

Schexnayder said this silent addiction can get out of hand.

Gambling via smart phone is relatively new in Arkansas. In 2022 lawmakers approved a state rule change to permit sports betting online via smart phones and other mobile devices from anywhere in Arkansas. Family Council strongly opposed that rule change.

Sports betting is particularly out of hand nationwide, and some sports betting companies have actually produced ads that seem to promote problem-gambling behavior — like commercials that show people so fixated on sports betting that they ignore everyone else around them or encouraging people to take advantage of every opportunity to gamble.

People who gamble online face a serious risk of developing a gambling addiction, and some research indicates that people who engage in sports betting are twice as likely to suffer from gambling problems.

You can watch KATV’s news segment below.

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Report Shows Gambling Group Had Little Activity in April

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The group Arcade Arkansas has spent more than half a million dollars on an effort to legalize thousands of casino-style gambling machines across Arkansas.

The group’s proposed constitutional amendment would allow some 15,000 gambling machines statewide under the Arkansas Lottery, and it could create miniature casinos all over the state — with little or no oversight to prevent fraud or corruption.

The group has put serious money into its effort. But Arcade Arkansas recently filed reports with the Arkansas Ethics Commission showing it conducted virtually no activity last month.

This tracks with reports in March that the group was temporarily suspending its campaign efforts amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

In February, Arkansas Lottery Director Bishop Woosley announced that he opposes the effort to legalize casino-style gambling under the auspices of state lottery.

Arcade Arkansas has until July 3 to gather nearly 90,000 valid petition signatures in order to place their proposed constitutional amendment on the November ballot.

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State Lottery Director Opposes Slot Machine Amendment

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Last week Arkansas Lottery Director Bishop Woosley issued a public statement opposing efforts to bring casino-style gambling machines to Arkansas.

Woosley’s statement was part of a press conference by Protect Arkansas Communities, a group that opposes Arcade Arkansas’ slot machine measure.

Arcade Arkansas spent over $78,000 last month alone on its petition drive.

The group has until July 3 to gather nearly 90,000 valid petition signatures in order to place their proposed constitutional amendment on the November ballot.

If passed, Arcade Arkansas’ measure would amend the state constitution to allow thousands of casino-style gambling machines all over Arkansas under the auspices of the state lottery.

This measure could potentially turn gas stations and convenience stores into miniature casinos offering gambling 24 hours a day.

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