Details of proposed amendment to authorize casino gambling in Arkansas

If approved by voters Nov. 6, the Arkansas Casino Gaming Amendment of 2018 would:

• Take effect Nov. 14.

• Require the Racing Commission to oversee casino licenses; adopt rules and perform relevant duties no later than 120 days after Nov. 14; begin accepting license applications by June 1, 2019.

• Require the commission to issue a license to a franchise holder (Southland Racing Corp.) in Crittenden County to conduct casino gambling at a facility at or next to the greyhound racing track and gambling facility; to issue a license to a franchise holder (Oaklawn Jockey Club) in Garland County to conduct casino gambling at a facility at or next to the horse-racing track and gambling facility.

• Require the commission to award licenses to: an applicant for a casino in Pope County within 2 miles of Russellville and an applicant for a casino in Jefferson County within 2 miles of Pine Bluff. These applicants must submit a letter of support from the county judge or a resolution from the quorum court. If the casino would be located in the city, it must have a letter of support from the mayor.

• Prohibit an individual, corporation, partnership, association, trust or other entity from holding more than one license.

• Define casino gambling "as dealing, operating, carrying on, conducting, maintaining, or exposing for play 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."

• Include "accepting wagers on sporting events" but not the state lottery.

• Prohibit anyone under age 21 from engaging in casino gambling.

• Levy a 13 percent tax on the first $150 million of a licensee's net casino gambling receipts and a 20 percent tax on receipts exceeding $150,000,001. Net receipts are total receipts minus winnings paid to or reserved for customers.

• Distribute 55 percent of the net casino gambling tax receipts to state general revenue; 17.5 percent to the Racing Commission for its purse and awards fund for live racing; 8 percent to the county where the casino is; 19.5 percent to the city where the casino is or to the county if the casino isn't in a city.

• Require the General Assembly to enact relevant laws and appropriate money for the Arkansas Racing Commission to fulfill its duties. The legislation must be in effect by June 30, 2019.

• Require the commission to provide at least $200,000 for compulsive gambling disorder treatment and compulsive disorder educational programs run by the Department of Human Services.

• Permit licensees to sell liquor and provide complimentary servings, both for on-premises consumption during operating hours.

• Not have any effect on amendments and laws on bingo and raffles, the state scholarship lottery or the racetracks' electronic games of skill.

SundayMonday on 10/28/2018