Arkansas Lottery Director Bishop Woosley recently announced he opposes efforts of the group Arcade Arkansas to place an amendment on the November ballot allowing thousands of coin-operated “amusement machines” to raise money for the lottery.
Supporters kicked off the ballot initiative in September and have until July 3 to collect 90,000 signatures from registered voters to qualify for the election.
Arcade Arkansas’ proposed amendment would require the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery to administer and regulate 50 licenses for amusement machines that would award non-cash prizes like lottery tickets or vouchers for merchandise valued at less than $5. Each licensee could operate up to 300 licenses. Twenty percent of net machine receipts would be distributed to the state lottery..
However, Woosley said voter approval of the proposed constitutional amendment would result in increased gaming competition to the lottery, resulting in the loss of millions of dollars for scholarships. He added the proposal also would require the lottery to create a new division and pay the costs for licensing and oversight of thousands of machines. “This will ultimately result in diminished local control, increased instances of problem gambling, increased gaming competition and ultimately less money for Arkansas students,” Woosley said.
Arcade Arkansas has raised more than $360,000 and spent nearly $359,000 on its campaign, said spokesman Jason Cline. He said Woosley and other opponents were spreading false information about the proposal, for example that it would allow cash prizes. “The idea that this is going to be drawing people in for these hugely lucrative cash payouts is just incorrect,” Cline said.
A group opposed to the proposed amendment, Protect Arkansas Communities, has yet to receive any money from the state’s casinos, recently opened and under construction. Campaign Consultant Robert McLarty said the group has not reached out to casino operators at this time.
Arkansas voters approved the lottery in 2008 to raise money for college scholarships.
