Mid-term election ballot initiative amends the state constitution to allow sports betting
Arkansas will soon join those US states that have decided to legalise sports betting following Tuesday’s positive vote in the mid-term election ballot giving voters a voice in the process; the ballot measure amends the state constitution to allow sports betting,
54.1 percent of over 860,000 voters voted for the amendment, with 45.9 percent against. The vote means that land casinos in four counties may include sports wagering among their offerings to patrons.
Arkansas is the seventh state outside of Nevada to opt to legalise sports betting behind Delaware, New Jersey, Mississippi, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.
In related news, Florida voters chose the other direction, approving an amendment Tuesday that blocks the state legislature from expanding sports betting unless a referendum is held.
Amendment 3, which passed with 64 percent of the vote, mandates that any effort to expand casino-related gambling in Florida will require a state-wide vote to pass.
The measure drew strong support and financial backing from the Walt Disney Company and the Seminole Tribe of Indians, which operates casinos in the state.
“This amendment ensures that Florida voters shall have the exclusive right to decide whether to authorize casino gambling by requiring that in order for casino gambling to be authorized under Florida law, it must be approved by Florida voters,” the amendment says.
Any effort to implement sports gambling will now require a 60 percent majority vote from state residents.