Racetracks waiting to call for expanded gambling elections

Rainer Sabin

Tuesday, March 29, 2005 | 9:31 a.m.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Owners at Arkansas' two racetracks say they're waiting until after the legislative session to make plans for special elections that would let them expand gambling to include electronic skill games at their venues.

The state Legislature passed the law earlier this month and Gov. Mike Huckabee allowed it to become law without his signature. The act goes into effect until 90 days after the legislative session ends and allows officials at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs and Southland Greyhound Park at West Memphis to call for special elections.

Because both Oaklawn and Southland are inside city limits, track owners have the option of calling for an election either among city voters only or by all voters in a county. They also must pick up the tab for the election costs.

"Our plate is pretty full for the moment," Eric Jackson, the general manager of Oaklawn Park, said Monday. "With the final three weeks of the racing season, we haven't had time to talk about it. We haven't been able to get our heads in it. We are working 18 hours a day during racing season."

Hot Springs mayor Mike Bush said he hasn't heard anything from Oaklawn.

"The bill they passed allows Oaklawn to do it at its beck and call. I expected them to come to the city council and do it immediately," he said. "But I haven't really heard from anybody from Oaklawn about when they were going to do that."

Barry Baldwin, the general manager of Southland Greyhound Park, said he has been preoccupied with a number of sick dogs at his racetrack, and like Jackson, hasn't given the election much thought.

"It's too early for that," he said. "We have to wait and see when they will adjourn."

Once that happens, Baldwin said Southland will give the expanded gambling issue its full attention.

The new law would allow electronic games of skill along with the pari-mutuel gambling that the state already authorizes. The state constitution bars games of chances, but the new law gets around that prohibition by requiring an element of skill, the legislation's sponsors said.

"We've been trying for a number of years," Baldwin said. "We are very happy that the legislative process worked. We have been trying to keep from downsizing employees. It's real good for economic development. We didn't ask for any tax incentives and it gives us a chance to improve our business."

Baldwin, who was quick to speak of the advantages of instituting more gambling opportunities, said that it could allow his workforce to grow by as many as 100 employees.

"There's nothing better than bringing more people to work and bringing more tourists to the state," he said. "It's a win-win."