November 5 – Day of Decision for US Gambling

Gambling in Arkansas

Arkansas has two issues to vote on, one of which is big for the industry: a repeal of the Pope County casino license.

The initiative would repeal the constitutional authorization for a casino license in Pope County, in the northwest part of the state. It would also require countywide voter approval for any new casino license in Arkansas.

Cherokee Nation Entertainment has the license to build the proposed Legends Resort & Casino in Pope County. Years of legal battles between proponents and opponents of the project, including a case in the state’s Supreme Court, may finally be decided by Arkansas voters.

Choctaw Nation backs Local Voters in Charge, which opposes a 4th casino in Arkansas. They’ve given them over $5.6 million.

Maryland: Chesapeake Beach Gambling Expansion

In Chesapeake Beach, a small town of 6,500 people an hour from Washington, D.C., voters will decide if they want to allow the state to expand gambling. The expansion would add more electronic bingo machines, slot machines and table games to local businesses.

In the 2020 election, town residents were asked about gambling and the majority were opposed to any expansion in the town.

Legislation to expand gambling in Chesapeake Beach has been introduced in the state legislature the past few years but failed to pass due to resident opposition. The 2024 vote will be up to the next mayor and Town Council.

What happens if Proposition JJ passes in Colorado

If Proposition JJ passes in Colorado the state will get to keep all sports betting tax revenue and any surplus above $29 million will go to water conservation and protection projects.

Right now tax revenue above $29 million goes back to the operators. That $29 million cap was set in 2019 when Colorado voters approved sports betting operator revenue tax. Those funds were originally supposed to go to addiction treatment programs, regulatory costs and water projects up to the cap.

But four years in and revenues and tax collections are way above what was expected. So now the state is asking voters if they can keep those extra dollars and use them for water projects.

Missouri Gambling Issues and For and Against

Missourians will be voting on two state constitutional amendments related to gambling: Amendment 2 and Amendment 5.

Amendment 2 asks if Missouri should allow online and in-person sports betting. Proponents say it’s an additional revenue stream, Amendment 2 would impose a 10% tax on sports betting revenue and the funds would go towards education and gambling addiction programs.

They also say it’s good for professional sports teams. The campaign to legalize sports betting has been backed by most of Missouri’s professional teams, including the Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs.

However, some voters oppose gambling for moral or religious reasons. Others worry legalizing sports betting will increase gambling addiction.

Amendment 5 asks voters if the Missouri Gaming Commission can issue an additional casino license for a riverboat casino to operate on a section of the Osage River near the Lake of the Ozarks tourist area.

The results of Amendment 2 and Amendment 5 will decide the future of gambling in Missouri.