In a closely watched case, the Arkansas Supreme Court has partially dismissed a challenge to a referendum that would expand casino gambling in the state. The challenge was brought by a group called Citizens for a Better Arkansas, who argued that the referendum was unconstitutional.
The referendum, known as Issue 4, would allow for the construction of four new casinos in the state. The group behind the challenge argued that the language of the referendum was misleading and that it violated the state’s constitution by giving preferential treatment to certain entities.
In a unanimous decision, the Arkansas Supreme Court dismissed some of the group’s claims, but allowed others to proceed to trial. The court found that the challenge was brought in a timely manner and that the group had standing to challenge the referendum.
In a statement, the group behind the challenge expressed disappointment with the court’s decision, but vowed to continue fighting the referendum in court. They argued that the referendum would benefit a handful of wealthy individuals at the expense of the rest of the state.
Supporters of Issue 4, including the group Driving Arkansas Forward, welcomed the court’s decision. They argued that the referendum would create thousands of jobs and generate millions of dollars in revenue for the state. They also pointed out that the referendum had been approved by voters in a statewide election.
The case is expected to proceed to trial in the coming months, with both sides preparing to present their arguments to the court. The outcome of the case could have far-reaching implications for the future of gambling in Arkansas.
In the meantime, voters in Arkansas are eagerly anticipating the opportunity to cast their ballots on Issue 4 in the upcoming election. The outcome of the vote will ultimately determine whether the state will see an expansion of casino gambling in the near future.