By Alex Diaz and Staff Reports

Arkansas voters on Tuesday approved Issue 2, which amends the Arkansas constitution Tuesday to repeal authorization of a casino in Pope County and to change the casino process moving forward.

Issue 2 was placed on the general election ballot after a successful citizen group’s petition drive to have the question presented to voters.

Issue 2 addressed a planned casino in Pope County near Russellville and sought to reverse the authorization of that casino as part of a voter-approved constitutional amendment.

According to the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Public Policy Center, Arkansas voters approved a constitutional amendment, which is now Amendment 100, in 2018, by a statewide vote of 470,954 in favor (54.1%) to 399,530 against (45.9%).

Amendment 100 authorized four casino locations: one in West Memphis to Southland Racing, one in Hot Springs to Oaklawn Jockey Club, one in Jefferson County and one in Pope County.

Sponsors of Issue 2 proposed removing a fourth casino license authorized by the Arkansas Constitution, specifically, a license meant to develop a casino in Pope County within two miles of the county seat of Russellville. They also proposed that the establishment of future casinos anywhere in Arkansas require approval by voters in the county where the casino would be located.

Specifically, Issue 2 will:

  1. Remove every reference to Pope County from Amendment 100, which originally authorized the casino location.
  2. Revoke any casino gaming license issued for Pope County prior to this amendment taking effect.
  3. Require the quorum court where any future casino license is proposed to call for a countywide vote in a special election.
  4. Establish ballot issue language to be used for any future countywide votes on casino licenses.
  5. Require voter approval at the county level before the Arkansas Racing Commission could issue a casino license in the future.

The approved measure eliminates from Amendment 100 a casino gaming license for Pope County.