The campaign funding of thirty million dollars for the Arkansas casino licensing initiative is unprecedented.

The campaign funding of thirty million dollars for the Arkansas casino licensing initiative is unprecedented.

 Both proponents and opponents of Issue 2, the Arkansas ballot issue that will determine the destiny of the Pope County casino license, have amassed unprecedented amounts of campaign financing through their respective campaigns.  So far, contributions have topped $30 million, which is equivalent to £23.1 million or €27.6 million.

 At this point, stakeholders have contributed more than thirty million dollars to contesting efforts.  The Arkansas Ethics Commission reports that Local Voters in Charge has contributed $17.6 million to the total amount.  Choctaws are the ones who are in charge of and provide funding for that coalition.  Both CNB's Investing in Arkansas and the Arkansas Canvassing Compliance Committee have contributed a total of $12.5 million and $776,575, respectively. These two groups are in direct opposition to other organisations.

 It is remarkable how much money was spent on Issue 2 in comparison to the amount spent on other campaigns.  There was a graph that was provided by the Arkansas Advocate in 2022 that detailed the six most expensive initiative campaigns in the history of the state up to that date.

 During that time period, the most expensive was a recreational marijuana initiative that had been implemented in that year and had created $12.4 million.  The $9.7 million attempt to legalise casinos in 2018 placed in second place, and it was this effort that indirectly gave rise to Issue 2.  Both totals combined have been easily surpassed by the legal dispute over the Pope County licence.

 Additionally, marijuana and abortion propositions, two contentious issues in the United States, were scheduled to be included on the ballot in Arkansas this year.  Legal challenges, however, have been successful in defeating both of them, which has allowed Issue 2 to take the focus.

 Gambling endeavours, which were considered completely unacceptable in the past, have evolved into incredibly expensive activities.  During this election cycle, there is also a sports betting proposition in the neighbouring state of Missouri that is being hotly debated.  The contributions that have been generated by these campaigns amount to almost $55 million, which is the highest amount ever for that state.  The battle to legalise sports betting in California in 2022, which cost $450 million and concluded in a crushing defeat for both sides, was the most costly campaign effort ever undertaken in the United States of America from the perspective of the entire country.

 Proposal would result in the loss of a licence.
 Issue 2, in contrast to the majority of other ballot proposals pertaining to gambling, aims to do away with a licence that has already been granted.  In addition to this, it would insist that the approval of voters be required for any future growth.  On June 27, the Arkansas Racing Commission granted the casino license in question to Cherokee Nation Businesses (CNB), which was the recipient of the license.  Approximately 75 miles to the northwest of Little Rock, the tribe intends to construct its Legends Resort and Casino, which will cost $300 million.

 Instagram account: https://twitter.com/UAEX_PPC/status/1846251165627146604:
 In 2018, voters in the state approved the legalisation of casinos in four counties, and the remaining three counties are currently hosting casinos.  Nevertheless, the Pope County casino drama has been plagued by years of failures and obstacles that have been in the way.  The licence was initially issued to a different developer in 2019, but it was later revoked by the highest court in the state.

 Since CNB was brought in as the new developer, the Choctaw nation of Oklahoma has made a name for themselves as the most significant adversary of the company.  The Choctaw people run a number of casinos near the border between Oklahoma and Arkansas territory.  The fact that the initiative was able to withstand court challenges earlier this month made it very evident that the final decision will be made by the voters.