It raised $150,000 from Caesars Entertainment of Las Vegas, but it’s not clear how much of that money was actually spent. A third opposition gropu called “Vote No on Issue 4” was only formed in late October.

27, the most recent campaign finance reporting date. Two committees formed to fight Issue 4 together raised only about $30,000 through Oct. But in 2018, Southland threw its support behind Issue 4 while Oaklawn stayed neutral. In 2016, the Family Council, a conservative political advocacy group that opposes gambling in all forms, found itself effectively aligned with Oaklawn and Southland in fighting out-of-state gaming interests. With the racetracks and their attorneys co-opted, groups opposing Issue 4 were left underfunded and outgunned. (In Pope County, at least, that could prove to be a significant roadblock.) It also gives them a tax cut and a sizable head start on their two potential competitors, which still must secure licenses, build facilities and gain the blessing of local officials. Technically, Arkansas law prohibited any casinos until last week, but Oaklawn and Southland convinced the legislature in 2005 to enact a statute allowing patrons to wager on so-called “electronic games of skill.” Issue 4 ends the need for this farcical workaround and allows the two “racinos” to begin offering real slots and table games instead of video simulations of such. The racetracks in Hot Springs and West Memphis have long operated casinos in all but name.

Supreme Court earlier this year, and Issue 4 overrides an Arkansas statute that otherwise still bans the practice in the state The amendment authorizes “any game played with cards, dice, equipment, or any mechanical, electromechanical, or electronic device or machine for money, property, checks, credit, or any representative value, as well as accepting wagers on sporting events.” A federal law prohibiting sports betting was struck down by the U.S. Sanctioned gaming activities include anything found in casinos from Tunica to Vegas. No entity may hold more than one license. The racing commission will award the other two licenses following a merit-based application process that has yet to be established. The Garland County license must be awarded to Oaklawn Jockey Club in Hot Springs and the Crittenden County license must be awarded to Southland Racing Corp., which operates the greyhound track in West Memphis.

The measure directs the Arkansas State Racing Commission to issue four new licenses for casinos to be located in Garland, Crittenden, Jefferson and Pope counties.

Nonetheless, Issue 4 will significantly expand gambling in Arkansas.

Oaklawn casino inititave