Arkansas Passes a New Amendment on Gambling in the State

With Help from The Cherokee and Quapaw tribes in Oklahoma, who spent more than $4 million combined campaigning, Arkansas voters on Tuesday approved a constitutional amendment to allow the state to issue licenses for four full-fledged casinos.

Issue 4 authorizes the expansion of gambling operations at Oaklawn Racing and Gaming in Hot Springs and Southland Gaming and Racing in West Memphis. Both tracks now offer electronic games of skill under a 2005 state law.

The measure also authorizes the state to issue licenses for casinos in Jefferson and Pope Counties, provided there is local support from elected officials.