Arkansas is getting ready for a change in its casino policies. Recently, a casino campaign submitted the required number of signatures to the state secretary hat could bring a constitutional amendment question on the ballot.

How does it work?

To successfully place a constitutional amendment question on the ballot, all campaigns must collect about 10% of the total votes to the cast. These signatures have to be submitted to the governor’s office in the last gubernational election. This year, the required number of signatures is 89,151.

Arkansas Wins 2020 spokesman Taylor Riddle said,

“The voters who have signed the petition see this as an opportunity for our state to attract tourists, increase tax revenue, and create numerous jobs for Arkansans.”

The campaign has now received 97,000 signatures and Thurston’s office will go through them to determine their validity. If they are able to verify at least 89,151 signatures, the casino question will be added to the election ballot.

Evolution of gaming in Arkansas

Arkansas voters opted for a constitutional amendment two years ago to support full-scale commercial gambling in the state. They also authorized four casinos in the counties of Jefferson, Pope, Garland, and Crittenden. This amendment was passed with a 54.1% vote and the state awarded gaming licenses to its two former casinos- Southland and Oaklawn. These licenses were given for Garland and Crittenden.

Jefferson’s license went to the Quapaw Tribe in Oklahoma. The Native American group is now looking to build a $350 million casino resort via its Downstream Development Authority. It would feature an 80,000-square foot gaming floor with 50 table games and 2,300 slot machines. It would also feature a 300-room hotel, entertainment space, restaurants, spa, cultural center, conference center, and museum.

The Pope County license is still left and two parties are interested in that license. Earlier, there was the Gulfside Casino Partnership from riverboat pioneers Rick Carter and Terry Green in the race. Now, there is the Cherokee Nation looking for that license as well.