The Tolbert Report

It is disheartening to watch the ever expanding reach of legalized gambling in Arkansas.  This is a battle that we have lost by inches over the last few years and we once again lost another inch today as the house approves HB1955, a measure allowing for 24 hour alcohol sales at Oaklawn and Southland “Racetracks.”  Will anyone still have the audacity to say these businesses are not casinos (see picture above from a Commercial Appeal story on Southland)?

If you recall back in 2005, the state legislature narrowly passed SB999 which became ACT1151 giving “cities or counties where horse racing or greyhound racing parks are located” the ability to call a local election to approve “electronic games of skill” at the racetracks.  This was perhaps the most corrupt bit of legislation to be ramroded through the legislature by the state gambling lobby which pushed through the bill in eight days before opposition had time to organize. 

At the time, we were told this only gives these communities a chance to vote and it will not create casinos but only games of skills, as games of chance are banned by the Arkansas Constitution.  Within two years, Hot Springs and West Memphis both approved these games of skill and video poker, blackjack, and games that look a lot like slot machines went operational.  How big have they gotten?  At the end of 2008, Roby Brock reported, “With two years of EGS numbers under their belt, the two tracks have collected a combined $957.7 million in new gambling revenue from the blackjack and poker machines and other creative electronic mechanisms.”

Today’s measure, approved by the house with 57 votes and sent to the Senate, is just another inch in the ever expanding gambling in Arkansas.  The gambling lobby continues to show they have tremendous influence on our state legislators.  I am disappointed in the representatives who approved this bill.  I hope the Senate has better sense.