LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – As Arkansas approaches the 2024 election, voters are faced with a pivotal decision regarding Issue 2, officially titled The Local Voter Control of Gambling Amendment. This initiative, spearheaded by the organization Local Voters in Charge, aims to shift the authority over casino projects to local voters.
Hans Strititz, a representative from Local Voters in Charge, explains, “Issue 2 is based upon a very simple premise: local voters in the communities affected by casino projects should have the final say on whether those projects proceed.”
If passed, Issue 2 would effectively halt a planned casino in Pope County, specifically in the Russellville area, revoking the casino license that has already been issued. Future casino openings in Arkansas would require voter approval both in a statewide election and specifically within the county where the casino is proposed.
Complicating matters, Pope County Judge Ben Cross notes the paradox of the ballot: “Ironically, a yes is a no vote, and a no is a yes vote.” He and six mayors from Pope County plan to vote against Issue 2, arguing that the casino represents a significant economic opportunity, projected to create approximately 1,000 jobs and involve over $300 million in investments.
Cross highlights a shift in sentiment since 2018, when 54% of Arkansas voters approved Amendment 100, allowing for four casinos statewide. Although 60% of voters in Pope County opposed the casino measure then, Cross asserts that opinions have changed significantly in the years since.
“The local voters spoke. Twelve out of 13 justices of the peace on the Pope County Quorum Court have voted in favor of a casino resort in Pope County,” he said, emphasizing the economic benefits that would accompany the project, including funding for a new jail, health department, and 911 system.
In fiscal year 2024, existing casinos in Hot Springs, Pine Bluff, and West Memphis contributed $107 million in tax revenue to the state, with nearly $30 million allocated to local counties and cities.
Opposition to Issue 2 has emerged from organizations like Investing in Arkansas, which argues that the initiative aims to prevent competition and keep economic benefits away from Arkansas. Natalie Ghidotti, representing the organization, stated, “It is about another casino operator who didn’t get the license in Pope County… They want to ensure that those dollars stay in Oklahoma.”
Financial disclosures reveal that the Choctaw Nation has heavily funded the Local Voters in Charge campaign, contributing over $5.6 million to support the initiative. Strititz acknowledges the broader implications of the issue, noting, “There are folks that want to say that this is just about Pope County, but really, it is a much bigger issue than just Pope County.”
As voters prepare for the election, understanding the complexities of Issue 2 will be crucial in making an informed decision that could shape the future of gambling and economic development in Arkansas.
