Arkansas Lottery Will Be On the November Ballot

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Arkansas remains one of eight states without a state lottery but all that could change this November if voters approve a constitutional amendment to bring a scholarship lottery to the state. The Ballot initiative has garnered support from mayors and county judges from around the state. Lieutenant Governor Bill Halter stated, “The endorsement of so many local elected officials, representing a broad economic and geographical base, is a tremendous boost for HOPE for Arkansas’s initiative to provide greater opportunities for tens of thousands of Arkansans to go to college.” The amendment authorizes the Arkansas General Assembly to establish a lottery to fund college scholarships and grants for Arkansans attending certified two-year and four-year colleges and universities in the state.

Many of Arkansas’s citizens routinely cross state lines to play lotteries in surrounding states and it is hoped that with the passage of the amendment that revenue that currently goes out of state can be kept in Arkansas and benefit its citizens. It has been estimated that the lottery could generate $100 million dollars per year. There has been vocal opposition to the proposed amendment mostly by religious groups who see any form of gambling as unacceptable. Jim Walton, son of Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton, is putting $75,000 behind the group opposing the lottery.

Lottery opponents believe that the lottery could open the door to other forms of gambling despite the fact that Arkansas voters rejected casino gambling three times in the past. The Arkansas Family Council filed a lawsuit challenging the ballot proposal. Fortunately for lottery supporters the Arkansas Supreme Court rejected the lawsuit and the proposal will be on November’s ballot. The Arkansas Family Council had argued that language authorizing a state lottery was overly broad and could lead to the elimination of the Arkansas Constitution’s prohibition against many types of gambling. The court said that the amendment does not repeal the state’s ban on lotteries but creates an exception for a lottery to raise money for the sole purpose of education.

A poll conducted by University of Central Arkansas shows nearly two-thirds of Arkansans are in favor of a lottery. According to the poll, 64% of Arkansans favor a lottery, which would fund scholarships for Arkansas citizens, while 29% are against it, and 7% are undecided. Both supporters and opponents are running extensive ad campaigns but most polls show overwhelming support for the lottery amendment. Should the lottery amendment pass in November we at LuckyLotto will be pleased to welcome the Arkansas Lottery.