Fair Play for Arkansas was formed to eliminate the Pope County casino license and is funded entirely by an out-of-state casino operator that was unsuccessful in its own pursuit of the license. Despite the pandemic, more than $160 million in tax revenue was generated between April 2019 and January 2022.Ĭonstruction on the state’s fourth casino is expected to begin this summer in Russellville despite delays due to litigation. Today, three of four casinos are operational, and expansions planned and underway in Hot Springs, West Memphis and Pine Bluff demonstrate how fast this industry is expected to grow. Both McDaniel and Couch were instrumental in the drafting and passage of Amendment 100.
In 2018, Arkansans voted to keep tax and tourism dollars in the state, create billions of dollars in economic development, and generate thousands of jobs by authorizing casinos to be built in Crittenden County (West Memphis), Jefferson County (Pine Bluff), Garland County (Hot Springs) and Pope County (Russellville).
The first campaign finance report filed today shows more than $1 million in cash on hand. Little Rock Attorneys Dustin McDaniel and David Couch today announced the creation of a ballot question committee – Arkansas Tourism Alliance – to oppose efforts by Fair Play for Arkansas to amend the Arkansas Constitution and eliminate the Pope County casino license.
