FAYETTEVILLE — The Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce has come out in opposition to a proposed initiative that would amend the Arkansas Constitution to allow casino gambling in three counties, including Washington County.
Steve Clark, executive director of the chamber, said Wednesday casino gambling does not fit with the region's economic development plans and would alter the state's constitution to unfairly benefit out-of-state interests.
"We believe it is not good for economic development in Northwest Arkansas," Clark said. "Also, it's bad policy. You just don't need to write into the Arkansas Constitution the names of businesses, particularly businesses that are not from Arkansas."
The measure would legalize casinos in Boone, Miller and Washington counties. Arkansas Wins has previously said that Oklahoma-based Cherokee Nation Entertainment would operate the Washington County casino if voters approve the amendment.
Clark said the region's economic development focus is on education, medicine and innovation.
"We all have plans that say this is the way we want to grow and these are the businesses we want to attract and we have not once said we want to attract tourism jobs centered around gambling. Ever," Clark said. "None of us have said for our region this is a business or industry we need to attract."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.