Citing vagueness and lack of a complete summary in its title, Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge recently rejected the wording of a proposed ballot measure, backed by the group Arkansas Wins in 2016, that would allow casinos to operate in Boone, Miller and Washington counties. Rutledge must sign off on the measure before supporters can start to collect the 84,859 signatures required before July to place the proposal on the November ballot.
The proposal calls for three limited liability companies to manage the casinos, and also would create a five-member Arkansas Gaming Commission. Casinos would be required to pay the state an 18 percent tax on net gambling receipts.
Arkansas Wins in 2016 has support from the construction, economic and financial sectors. It hired local public relations firm Impact Management; owner Robert Coon said, “It will open the door for economic development, tourism, jobs and tax revenue into the state that is currently going out of the state.”
Under Arkansas law, casino gambling is prohibited but Southland Park Gaming & Racing in West Memphis and Oaklawn Park Racing & Gaming in Hot Springs offer parimutuel wagering on dog and horse races plus electronic blackjack and video poker and slot machines.
In 2012 a ballot initiative to allow casino gambling failed to qualify.
