Inside Asian Gaming

INSIDE ASIAN GAMING | December 2008 20 N ovember 4thwas a banner day for the gaming industry, with referenda to expand casinos and other gambling being approved everywhere except Ohio and Maine. In those states, referendums sought to create a single (and first) resort casino within the state. But elsewhere saw several firsts,including the first slot machines in Maryland, the first casino in West Virginia and the first lottery in Arkansas. State-by-state results of gambling- related ballot initiatives are as follows: ARKANSAS By a nearly 60% majority, Arkansas citizens voted for Constitutional Amendment 3 to repeal the state ban on lotteries that has been in effect since 1836. Legislative leaders now predict that lawmakers will enact a state lottery early next year, which Arkansas Lt. Gov. William Halter predicted would annually raise $100 million to fund schools and other pressing needs in the state. The stunning success of this ballot initiative has some predicting that in two years citizens will be asked to approve full-fledged casino gambling beyond the slot machines now operating at some Arkansas dog tracks. COLORADO By a 58% majority, voters approved Colorado’s Amendment 50 to create higher-stakes gambling in the state’s casinos, all located in the towns of Black Hawk, Central City and Cripple Creek. Passage of the initiative will allow citizens in those three towns to separately vote to raise betting limits from $5 to $100, add craps and roulette, and extends casino operations to 24 hours. United States of Gaming Gaming initiatives win big in the US on Election Day, writes James J. Hodl Slots aren’t the only diversions at dog tracks in Arkansas Market Outlook