A bill to legalize online gambling in Arkansas for the state’s three licensed casinos was recently withdrawn for interim study following a House committee meeting. The bill, House Bill 1861, would regulate online gaming in Arkansas and make it a felony for unregulated entities to operate online casinos in the state. This move was largely seen as a defensive measure to combat illegal offshore online casinos that pose a risk to consumers, in particular those with links to China.
The bill also includes provisions to allow casinos to run interactive drawings for Arkansas universities’ name, image, and likeness collectives used to pay student athletes. However, concerns were raised about the potential impact on the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery, as well as the adverse effects on physical casinos and tourism in the state.
Despite the potential financial benefits of expanding online gaming, there are also concerns about the dangers of unregulated offshore gambling markets and the rise in problem gambling among Arkansans. With significant implications for both casino operators and the state, sponsor Rep. Matt Duffield called for further discussion and an interim study to reach a solid conclusion on the issue. As the debate continues, stakeholders on all sides will need to weigh the economic benefits against the potential risks associated with online gambling in Arkansas.
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