Pope County casino initiative now has $30 million in funding
A remarkable surge in campaign funding has characterized the battle for Issue 2, the Arkansas ballot initiative poised to determine the future of the Pope County casino license. Contributions have exceeded an astounding $30 million (£23.1 million/€27.6 million) as stakeholders jostle for influence in this pivotal decision.
To date, over $30 million has been funneled into opposing campaigns, as reported by the Arkansas Ethics Commission. A significant chunk of this—$17.6 million—originates from Local Voters in Charge, a coalition spearheaded and financed by the Choctaw Nation. In addition, two other opposing groups, CNB’s Investing in Arkansas and the Arkansas Canvassing Compliance Committee, have contributed $12.5 million and $776,575, respectively, showcasing a well-organized effort against the casino initiative.
The financial magnitude of Issue 2 is unprecedented when compared with prior campaigns. The Arkansas Advocate documented the six most expensive initiative campaigns in state history in 2022. At that time, the leading campaign—a recreational marijuana initiative—garnered $12.4 million, while the second place, a $9.7 million effort to legalize casinos in 2018, laid the groundwork for Issue 2’s current battle. The funding for the Pope County license initiative has far surpassed both measures combined, setting a new benchmark for campaign expenditures in Arkansas.
This year, Arkansas voters were also set to consider initiatives related to marijuana and abortion—two highly contentious subjects in the United States. However, legal challenges thwarted these measures, thereby allowing Issue 2 to dominate the electoral landscape. Once stigmatized, gambling initiatives have transformed into lucrative and fiercely contested affairs. Notably, a parallel sports betting initiative in Missouri has amassed approximately $55 million in contributions, marking it as the most financially substantial campaign in that state’s history. On a national scale, the priciest campaign ever was the $450 million effort in California to legalize sports betting in 2022, which ultimately resulted in defeat for both proponents and opponents.
A Proposal to Rescind an Existing License
Issue 2 distinguishes itself from the majority of gambling-related ballot measures by seeking to annul a casino license that has already been awarded. Furthermore, it mandates that any future expansions must receive voter approval. The Cherokee Nation Businesses (CNB) was designated the casino license by the Arkansas Racing Commission on June 27, with plans to construct the $300 million Legends Resort & Casino approximately 75 miles northwest of Little Rock.
In 2018, Arkansas voters legalized casino operations in four counties, and three of those licenses are currently operational. Yet, the Pope County casino endeavor has faced persistent challenges, including setbacks that started when another developer was originally granted the license in 2019, only to be ultimately denied it by the state supreme court. Subsequently, when CNB stepped in as the new developer, the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma emerged as its primary adversary, operating several casinos along the Oklahoma-Arkansas border. Following the measure’s survival through legal challenges earlier this month, it has become clear that the ultimate decision now rests with the voters.
