Arkansas’ Attorney General rejects casino proposal

The Attorney General from the Natural State has rejected a proposed state constitutional amendment that would allow four casinos.

US.- Leslie Rutledge, Attorney General from Arkansas, has rejected a proposed state constitutional amendment seeking the construction of four casinos. Rutledge said that the proposal’s name is too long, and the ballot title is misleading and ambiguous.

The rejection marks the second time Rutledge has dismissed the proposal, which wants to allow casinos in Garland, Crittenden, Pope and Jefferson counties. The bill establishes that 52.2 per cent of taxes collected would go to highway needs.

The Attorney General said that the wording of the bill is misleading, therefore it needs to be revised. For example, she said that the popular name was too long, and that the amendment legalises sports and other events, which are not specific. Furthermore, Rutledge added that it is unclear if Oaklawn and Southland could operate more than one casino in each county.

The proposal wants to solidify the legality of the existing racetrack casinos at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs and Southland Park in West Memphis. The facilities are currently operating electronic games of skill, which are only allowed to operate at outlets with pari-mutuel wagering.