Arkansas' high court rejects bids to disqualify casino amendment

NWA Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER
Players circulate the gaming floor on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017, during the grand opening of a new Cherokee Casino in Grove, Okla.
NWA Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER Players circulate the gaming floor on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017, during the grand opening of a new Cherokee Casino in Grove, Okla.

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas' Supreme Court has rejected efforts to disqualify a proposed casino legalization initiative, dismissing two lawsuits which claimed the ballot's wording was misleading and ambiguous on several issues.

In two rulings Thursday, Arkansas' highest court said the ballot's text was clear and did not mislead voters.

The proposed amendment would issue casino licenses at a Hot Springs horse track and at a West Memphis dog track, both of which currently offer electronic gambling. It also would legalize casinos in Jefferson and Pope counties.

One ruling was unanimous, but Justice Jo Hart disagreed in part with the other, saying the language was misleading enough to strike the issue from the ballot.

Last month, the secretary of state's office certified that the amendment had garnered enough signatures to appear on the ballot.

Read Friday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

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