The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette’s monthly report on Arkansas lottery revenue shows a continuing decline for the year and includes the lottery’s stock excuse — no big jackpots on Megamillions and Powerball to lure crazed ticket buyers.

But there’s more at work here, beginning with the essentially flat trajectory of lottery revenue since its beginning 10 years ago.

Advertisement

There’s also casino growth, a direct competitor to the (stagnant) sale of scratch-off tickets. Casinos in Hot Springs, Pine Bluff and West Memphis are booming. Another may open someday in Russellville. If some Georgia gambling interests are successful and qualify a ballot issue approved by voters this year, the lottery could be looking at competition from 15,000 more gambling machines statewide.

So, naturally, the lottery is back to talking about Keno, an instant-play game it could install in retailers around the state, creating hundreds or thousands of tiny mini-casinos. Legislators have resisted this gambling expansion before. I’d guess the established casino industry wouldn’t be too fond of Keno machines at convenience stores around the corner from Oaklawn, Southland or Saracen.

Advertisement

And there’s this …. on-line gambling is exploding.

Private interests can look after themselves. The state never should have gotten into the gambling business, particularly since poor people account for an inordinate amount of spending on lottery tickets and those tickets fund scholarships whose award scheme discriminates against poor people of color.

Advertisement

Arkansas Times: Your voice in the fight

Are you tired of watered-down news and biased reporting? The Arkansas Times has been fighting for truth and justice for 50 years. As an alternative newspaper in Little Rock, we are tough, determined, and unafraid to take on powerful forces. With over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts, we are making a difference. But we can't do it without you. Join the 3,400 paid subscribers who support our great journalism and help us hire more writers. Sign up for a subscription today or make a donation of as little as $1 and help keep the Arkansas Times feisty for years to come.

Previous article No COVID-19 in Arkansas, but big jump in number being tested Next article State reports first ‘presumptive’ coronavirus case