Arkansas Casino and Card Room Gaming

In 2005, the Arkansas Legislature approved a measure to allow a referendum on offering electronic games of skill at tracks in West Memphis and Hot Springs. The referendum passed, and both Southland Park and Oaklawn Park began to offer the games.

Shortly after, a lawsuit was filed by an anti-gambling group, citing that the referendum should have been open to Garland and Crittenden counties. The judge ruled in favor of the tracks, but the group appealed to the state Supreme Court. In September 2007, the Supreme Court heard arguments on both sides regarding the appeal. The Court ruled in favor of the tracks again, allowing electronic games of skill at racetracks.

In November 2012, two ballot initiatives were introduced in an effort to bring commercial casinos to the state. The first initiative would have placed casinos in seven Arkansas counties. The second initiative would have legalized casino gaming throughout the state. Both initiatives failed because they did not collect enough valid signatures, according to the Secretary of State’s Office in Arkansas.

In October 2016, a proposal to legalize casinos in three counties was struck from the November ballot by the Arkansas Supreme Court. A lawsuit claimed the proposal was misleading to voters.

In March 2018, the Arkansas Attorney General turned down a proposed amendment to the state constitution authorizing four casinos in the state.

In November 2018, voters passed a ballot initiate known as issue 4. It authorized casinos in Crittenden, Garland, Pope and Jefferson Counties.

Saracen Casino Resort opened its doors in October 2020.

Casino City considers electronic games of skill to be a casino and card room activity.