Friday, September 08, 2006

As reported by the Arkansas News Bureau: "State legislators Wednesday
reviewed new rules and regulations governing booming natural gas exploration
in western Arkansas and expanded gambling at the state's two pari-mutuel
racetracks. ".During Wednesday's meeting, the committee reviewed a series of
rules and regulations for implementing Act 1151 of 2005, which authorized
wagering on electronic games of skill for the first time in the state at
Oaklawn Park thoroughbred track at Hot Springs and Southland Greyhound Park
at West Memphis. "Byron Freeland, attorney for the Arkansas Racing
Commission, told lawmakers the regulations were modeled after existing
regulations in Oklahoma and Florida. A national consulting firm also was
hired to develop the rules. "The new rules deal with the operation of
electronic games of skill, licensing and service, employee licenses,
privilege fees, underage patrons and employees, days and hours of operation,
accounting and internal controls, security and franchise holders, and
technical specifications. "Last week, Southland President Barry Baldwin told
the Racing Commission he expects the games to more than double the weekly
purses offered by the dog track."