An official attorney general’s opinion issued yesterday says essentially that there’s no bar to keno gambling games in Arkansas operated by the Arkansas Lottery Commission, if it chooses to do so.
Pros and cons:
* PRO: More gambling — continuous action all over the state anywhere lottery tickets are sold in what could become mini-casinos — would produce more money for lottery scholarships. The money is already dwindling from startup levels.
* CON: More gambling.
It’s unclear how much enthusiasm exists on the commission for the idea — investigated by Rep. Mark Perry of Jacksonville. There’s tremendous opposition among the usual groups that oppose gambling. The duopoly casinos at Southland and Oaklawn parks might also not welcome broader rapid-action competition.