The state Racing Commission, which regulates casinos, today heard comments about a draft of rules to license and govern the four full-fledged casinos allowed to operate in the state under the new Amendment 100.
No action today. The rules will be circulated for public comments. But a few odds and ends of interest have emerged in KATV’s Matt Mershon coverage via Twitter of the meeting:
* They quote Alex Gray, a lawyer who’s represented the Quapaw tribe, as urging a “tweak” to the rule on required approval by local officials to let stand a letter of approval already submitted by former Jefferson County Judge Booker Clemons in support of the Quapaw application to operate in Jefferson County. I don’t know if that
* Casino rules will require an 83 percent payout on gambling machines, the same as for existing “electronic games of skill” at the Oaklawn and Southland casinos.
* Sports wagering must be done onsite, unlike the Oaklawn Anywhere app that allows horse race wagering by phone at Oaklawn. That horse wagering ability would continue.
Casey Castleberry, attorney for Gulfside, issued a statement later:
“Throughout this months-long process, Gulfside has diligently complied with the requirements of Amendment 100. The change in the proposed rules undermines the intent of the constitutional amendment. That said, we remain committed to Pope County and believe River Valley Casino presents a strong case for approval with its high-paying jobs, tax dollars and pledged community support.”