LITTLE ROCK — Anti-gambling groups Tuesday announced formation of a coalition to opposed a pair of proposed constitutional amendments to authoritize casinos in Arkansas.
The Coalition to Preserve Arkansas Values said it also opposes a proposed initiated act to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes in the state.
“These three proposals offer policy that run counter to Arkansas’s traditional values,” the group said in a release.
The coalition is comprised of the Arkansas Family Coalition, Families First Action Committee, Family Council Action Committee and the Arkansas Committee for Ethics Policy, a companion organization to the Arkansas Faith and Ethics Council.
Texas businessman Michael Wasserman has proposed a constitutional amendment that would authorize his Arkansas Hotels and Entertainment Inc. to operate casinos in Boone, Crittenden, Garland, Jefferson, Miller, Pulaski and Sebastian counties.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
A separate proposal by Nancy Todd’s Poker Palace LLC calls for operation of casino-style table games in Crittenden, Franklin, Miller and Pulaski counties, as well as authorization to operate up to four casinos in those counties and licenses to operate up to 75 tables of casino-style games in Garland and Crittenden counties — where electronic games of skill are played at Oaklawn Park and Southland Greyhound Park.
Attorney General Dustin McDaniel certified the name and ballot title of both measurers, clearing organizers to collect signatures to get the measures on the November general election ballot.
To make the ballot, supporter must submit valid signatures of at least 77,133 registered voters to the secretary of state’s office by July 6. Arkansans for Compassionate Care is trying to collect about 65,000 signatures to place its proposed initiated act, Arkansas Medical Marijuana Act, on the November ballot.