Arkansas Passes Issue 2 Keeping Casino Out of Russellville

Casinos,

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Little Rock, Ark. – On Tuesday, proposed constitutional amendment Issue 2 keeping a casino out of Russellville passed in Arkansas.

Family Council President Jerry Cox released a statement, saying, “I believe voters made the right decision. Statewide, Issue 2 passed with strong support. Issue 2 prevents the State of Arkansas from licensing a casino in Russellville, 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. Passing Issue 2 keeps a casino out of Pope County, and it respects the ability of local people to govern themselves.”

Cox called casino gambling a blight on communities. “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. Gambling tax revenue has not improved Arkansas’ roads or boosted our 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.”

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Slot Machine Group Spends $77K on Petition Drive

Casinos, Gambling,

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

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