LITTLE ROCK — A coalition of legislators, law enforcement officials and clergy has formed to oppose proposed ballot initiatives to authorize casino gambling in Arkansas.
The Stop Casinos Now Committee, which has filed organization papers with the state Ethics Commission, is backed by the company that operates casino-style electronic games of skill at Southland Greyhound Park in West Memphis.
The committee’s stated purpose is to advocate for the defeat of two proposed constitutional amendments that would authorize two separate companies to operate casinos in specific counties in the state.
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.
A separate proposal by Nancy Todd’s Poker Palace LLC would authorize up to four casinos in Crittenden, Franklin, Miller and Pulaski counties and casino-style games in Garland and Crittenden counties — where electronic games of skill are played at Oaklawn Park and Southland.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
To make the November general election ballot, supporters will have to gather 78,133 signatures of registered voters by July 6. If both proposals make the ballot and are approved by voters, the one that garnered the most votes would become law.
Stop Casinos Now contends both measures would provide largely unregulated casino monopolies to private companies.
“There’s no secret. This is an effort by Delaware North, through Southland, in addition to (members of the committee) who are all very concerned that a person from Las Vegas is coming to Arkansas and trying to skip a process of oversight and regulations in place for many years,” Stop Casinos Now spokesman Robert McLarty said.
McLarty said the coalition would file its initial financial report at the end of the month, detailing the role of Delaware North, owner of electronic games at Southland, in the campaign.
“Call it self-serving, call it advocacy and awareness, people need to know,” he said.
The chairman of the committee is Chuck Lange, former executive director of the Arkansas Sheriffs Association. Members included lawmakers of both parties and from across the state, in addition to police chiefs, county sheriffs and ministers.
Todd said she was not surprised to see organized opposition to her proposal and said she looked forward to presenting her case to Arkansas residents.
“I very much wanted the voters to decide the issue instead of the Legislature because I wanted them to know they have a choice,” she said.
Todd said she was amused by criticism that she wants a gambling monopoly, noting that the two pari-mutuel tracks in the state conducted gambling operations for decades and now have exclusive authority to offer casino-type electronic gaming.
“Talk about a monopoly. I’m not trying to bring one, I’m trying to bust one,” Todd said.
Stop Casinos Now is the second group this week to announce opposition to the casino initiatives.
The Coalition to Preserve Arkansas Values announced Tuesday its formation to oppose the casino amendments as well as a proposed initiated act to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes in the state.