Arkansas Casino License Draws Record $30M in Funding

A new record in campaign funding has been set in Arkansas, with over $30 million contributed to opposing campaigns regarding Issue 2, the ballot initiative that will decide the fate of the Pope County casino license. This unprecedented spending highlights the escalating stakes as stakeholders pour millions into their campaigns for and against the measure, making it the most expensive ballot initiative in Arkansas history.

Record $30 Million Campaign Funding for Arkansas Casino License Initiative Sets New Benchmark

Issue 2 has drawn fierce opposition and support, as it aims to rescind an already-awarded casino license in Pope County. The Arkansas ballot measure could also set a precedent by requiring local voter approval for any future casino expansions in the state. If passed, this initiative would block Cherokee Nation Businesses (CNB) from establishing a $300 million Legends Resort & Casino, adding further complexity to a saga that began with Arkansas’s 2018 decision to legalize casinos in four counties.

Key Points:

• Over $30 million has been raised for and against Issue 2, with funding from key stakeholders such as Local Voters in Charge (backed by the Choctaws) and Investing in Arkansas.
• Issue 2 would rescind the Pope County casino license and introduce local voter requirements for future expansions.
• The Cherokee Nation plans to invest $300 million in the Legends Resort & Casino, while the Choctaw Nation, with competing casinos along the Arkansas-Oklahoma border, stands in strong opposition.

Record-Breaking Campaign Contributions

According to the Arkansas Ethics Commission, Local Voters in Charge—a coalition led by the Choctaw Nation—has contributed $17.6 million to support rescinding the Pope County casino license. Meanwhile, CNB’s Investing in Arkansas has contributed $12.5 million in opposition, with an additional $776,575 from the Arkansas Canvassing Compliance Committee. The total dwarfs previous record contributions, including the $12.4 million spent on a recreational marijuana initiative in 2022 and $9.7 million on casino legalization in 2018.

Unique Nature of Issue 2

Unlike typical gambling-related initiatives, Issue 2 does not aim to expand gambling options; rather, it seeks to revoke a license that was awarded by the Arkansas Racing Commission. The Pope County license has faced continuous hurdles, with initial approval granted to another developer in 2019, later overturned by the state supreme court. Following the introduction of CNB as the new developer, opposition from the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma grew, leading to the significant campaign spending seen today.

The Cherokee Nation intends to build Legends Resort & Casino about 75 miles northwest of Little Rock, with plans for a luxury casino and entertainment resort. The Choctaw Nation, however, operates several casinos along the Oklahoma-Arkansas border and fears that a new casino in Pope County could impact their market share.

National and Regional Context

The significance of the Issue 2 funding battle mirrors a larger trend in the U.S. gambling industry, with campaign contributions for gambling initiatives rising sharply. This election cycle also features a highly funded sports betting measure in Missouri, while in California, a record-breaking $450 million campaign effort for sports betting in 2022 resulted in a resounding defeat for both proponents and opponents.

Issue 2 has gained further attention as both marijuana and abortion measures were removed from the Arkansas ballot this year following legal challenges, leaving the casino license decision as one of the most contentious issues before voters.

With voter support required for any future casino license expansions, the outcome of Issue 2 could impact not only the fate of Pope County’s Legends Resort & Casino but also the broader landscape of Arkansas’s gambling industry. As voters head to the polls, the record-breaking campaign funding underscores the economic and political stakes, signaling a turning point in the state’s approach to gambling regulation and industry influence.