Casinos See Increase in Mobile Betting, First-Time Gamblers

Casinos,

Casinos in Arkansas took in more money from July to September this year, according to an article in Sunday’s Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

The article analyzed revenue data from Oaklawn Casino in Hot Springs, Southland Casino in West Memphis, and Saracen Casino in Pine Bluff.

All told, the casinos took in more money during the third quarter of 2024 compared to the same timeframe in 2023.

However, the article indicates that casinos saw an increase in mobile gambling and first-time gamblers this summer, noting,

Robert W. Powell III, a lecturer and instructor of hospitality management at the School of Human Environmental Sciences in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas, . . . said the state’s casinos saw increases in mobile betting and those gains didn’t seem to negatively affect other betting options, which is a positive sign. Powell said anecdotally he saw more first-time players in the state’s casinos during the quarter, noting attempts to lure younger players seem to be working well across the board.

All told, people gambled more than $2 billion at casinos in Arkansas from July to September. That is a staggering figure.

In spite of the millions upon millions of dollars that casinos make, casino tax revenue has not improved Arkansas’ roads or boosted the economy.

A while gambling has increased in the state, the Arkansas Problem Gambling Council has also seen an increase in calls for help with problem gambling this year.

Unless Arkansas’ lawmakers and its people take a stand, gambling and gambling-addiction are simply going to continue wrecking lives and hurting families across the state.

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

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Lawsuit Over Issue 2 Could Go to Trial in March of 2025

Casinos

The lawsuit over whether or not Arkansas can keep a casino out of Pope County may go to trial in March of next year. The lawsuit is part of Cherokee Nation Business’s effort to block Issue 2 that voters passed on November 5.

Issue 2 is a constitutional amendment that 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 had previously received a license to operate a casino in Pope County. After Issue 2 passed, Cherokee Nation Business filed a federal lawsuit to undo the will of the people and block Issue 2.

The lawsuit argues that Issue 2 violates Cherokee Nation Business’s constitutional rights. It also claims Issue 2 lacks due process, impairs contracts, and unfairly targets their casino license.

Last week U.S. District Judge D.P. Marshall, Jr., issued a scheduling order indicating the lawsuit could go to trial sometime March 18-20 or March 25-27.

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. The Arkansas Problem Gambling Council has seen a 22% increase in calls for help with problem gambling this year. Unless Arkansas’ lawmakers and its people 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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Cherokee Nation Sues to Block Arkansas Issue 2 in Federal Court

Casinos

Cherokee Nation Business is suing in federal court to block enforcement of Issue 2 that voters passed last week.

Issue 2 is a constitutional amendment. It prevents the State of Arkansas from licensing a casino in Pope County, and it 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 had received a license to operate a casino in Pope County. Issue 2’s passage on election day keeps their casino — and any other casinos — out of Pope County.

Issue 2 passed with strong support from Arkansans on November 5. But after the election, Cherokee Nation Business filed a federal lawsuit to undo the will of the people and block Issue 2.

The lawsuit argues that Issue 2 violates Cherokee Nation Business’s constitutional rights. It also claims Issue 2 lacks due process, impairs contracts, and unfairly targets their casino license.

In a decision issued Wednesday, U.S. District Judge D.P. Marshall, Jr., denied Cherokee Nation Business’s request for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction that would have blocked Issue 2. The ruling indicated the case would be expedited and that a trial in the case would be scheduled soon.

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. The Arkansas Problem Gambling Council has seen a 22% increase in calls for help with problem gambling this year. Unless Arkansas’ lawmakers and its people 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.

READ MORE