Casinos in Arkansas are reopening despite concerns about the coronavirus spreading.
However, some local officials have pushed back to help flatten curve at casinos.
Elected officials in Pine Bluff have tried to keep the casino there closed for another month; however, so far those efforts have failed.
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In February the group Arcade Arkansas spent more than $77,000 on its effort to put a gambling-machine amendment on the ballot this November, according to documents filed with the Arkansas Ethics Commission earlier this month.
The group’s proposal would legalize some 15,000 gambling machines statewide under the Arkansas Lottery and could create miniature casinos all over the state — with little or no oversight to prevent fraud or corruption.
In February the State Lottery Director came out against the proposal.
While the group has put serious money into its effort to amend the Arkansas Constitution, Arcade Arkansas reportedly has suspended its petition drive amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
Meanwhile, the group Protect Arkansas Communities received approximately $400,000 in February from the corporations that own the casinos at Oaklawn, Southland, and Saracen.
Protect Arkansas Communities is opposing Arcade Arkansas’ gambling amendment.
Casino gambling is linked to homelessness, domestic violence, divorce, and bankruptcy.
Arkansas’ counties with casinos also have high poverty rates.
To put it plainly, gambling is a blight on the community.
Arkansas already has enough problems from casino gambling. We don’t need any more.
Photo Credit: Win win win! by Domas Mituzas, on Flickr
In January the group Arcade Arkansas spent $78,408.58 on its petition drive to bring casino-style gambling machines to Arkansas, according to reports filed this week with the state Ethics Commission.
Over $70,000 of the group’s funds went to Spur Line Strategies for “Signature/Political Consulting,” the report indicated.
Arcade Arkansas is putting serious money into its effort to amend the state constitution to bring casino-style gambling machines to Arkansas.
The group has spent nearly $359,000 on the effort since last summer.
If they are successful, the amendment will legalize some 15,000 gambling machines statewide under the Arkansas Lottery and could create miniature casinos all over the state — with little or no oversight to prevent fraud or corruption.
Photo Credit: Win win win! by Domas Mituzas, on Flickr
