Voters overwhelmingly approve Arkansas state lottery

Nov 5, 2008, 8:29 am (18 comments)

Arkansas Lottery

Voters have approved a measure creating a statewide lottery for Arkansas, overturning a ban set in the state's constitution since 1874.

About two-thirds of voters supported the lottery measure championed by Lt. Gov. Bill Halter, which will fund college scholarships through ticket sales. About 36 percent cast votes against the measure.

Halter has said a lottery would raise $100 million annually and likely would have scratch-off games and lottery drawings like other states. The Legislature will decide what types of games will be offered during its 2009 session.

Those opposing the lottery measure warned it would subsidize scholarships on the backs of the state's poor.

Arkansas is one of only eight states in the nation without a lottery.

The United Methodists Against Gambling issued the following statement Tuesday night in reaction to the lottery's passage.

United Methodists Against Gambling (UMAG) and The Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church deeply regret that Amendment 3 has passed. We felt, and continue to feel, that a state-run lottery is not in the best interest of the people of Arkansas.

We will monitor the planning and implementation of the lottery should it be authorized by the legislature and will consider future actions accordingly.

For now, we urge the legislature (1) to reject a state lottery, (2) to enact alternative methods for funding college scholarships, (3) to refer to the 2010 general election ballot a constitutional amendment that restricts the definition of state lotteries to exclude all games of chance except the sale of lottery tickets, and (4) if a lottery is authorized, to enact restrictions on targeting low and middle income citizens and the elderly when the State promotes and advertises the lottery.

"Our next step must be to persuade the legislature to reject lotteries or, at the least, severely restrict them, while finding other revenue to fund college scholarships," said Scott Trotter, UMAG co-chair.

We thank our co-chairs, Rev. Roger Glover and Mr. Scott Trotter as well as United Methodist pastors and lay members across the state for their tireless effort in speaking out against the amendment and increasing awareness of the negative outcomes associated with it. We are indebted to them for their work.

Lottery Post Staff

Comments

NBey6's avatarNBey6

$$ Congratulations Arkansas $$

Party

MaddMike51

Congratulations,Arkansas!

ThatScaryChick's avatarThatScaryChick

Congrats to Arkansas!

BabyJC's avatarBabyJC

FYI - NBC's show LIFE is about a lottery club tonight.

JAP69's avatarJAP69

"United Methodists Against Gambling (UMAG) and The Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church deeply regret that Amendment 3 has passed. We felt, and continue to feel, that a state-run lottery is not in the best interest of the people of Arkansas."

 

Looks like the people decided what was in their best interest.

Set4life's avatarSet4life

That is great news, as for UMAG lol, if you dont like it, dont buy it.

GamerMom's avatarGamerMom

I wish there was another vote for an Alabama state lottery!!!

myturn's avatarmyturn

It is nice to see common sense prevail. Even if one is opposed to gambling, which is a perfectly legitimate point of view to hold, why let the perfect be the enemy of the good? Millions of dollars have left the state, to assist students in other states, as people buy tickets in other state lotteries. People who are opposed to lotteries are still free not to participate, the lottery will be voluntary. The anti-lottery side did not help their cause by trying to block the issue from being put to the people. They looked like they were trying to stifle democracy - let the people decide.

myturn's avatarmyturn

The Arkansas lottery should have a subscription service, like the Massachusetts lottery, so people from out of state can participate and raise additional revenue for education.

diamondpalace's avatardiamondpalace

The new generation will eventually change and shape the old traditions. I am glad Arkansas decided to join in on the fun.

mctracy21

Quote: Originally posted by NBey6 on Nov 5, 2008

$$ Congratulations Arkansas $$

Party

Absolutely! Welcome to the 21st century! It's about time! I think there will be some issues with folks who shouldn't be buying tickets when they should be doing something otherwise with their money but most lottery ticket buyers are the ones who can afford $5-$10 each week or each month....why keep giving the money to other states? Lets keep it in ours! Good job Arkansas voters! I look at it this way, if you don't believe in the lottery, don't buy a ticket. 

 

Ya gotta be in it to win it! :) Patriot

 

Let's work on bringing in Casinos next!

Tenaj's avatarTenaj

ThatScaryChick's avatarThatScaryChick

Quote: Originally posted by myturn on Nov 5, 2008

It is nice to see common sense prevail. Even if one is opposed to gambling, which is a perfectly legitimate point of view to hold, why let the perfect be the enemy of the good? Millions of dollars have left the state, to assist students in other states, as people buy tickets in other state lotteries. People who are opposed to lotteries are still free not to participate, the lottery will be voluntary. The anti-lottery side did not help their cause by trying to block the issue from being put to the people. They looked like they were trying to stifle democracy - let the people decide.

I agree. Those states who don't offer lotteries are losing money to other states because people are crossing border lines to buy them.

trulyblessed

Congratulations!!!!  Terrific 





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