No Blind Eye

Governor right to veto curb on gambling enforcement

The Arkansas Legislature passed a curious bill last month. The proposal by state Sen. Scott Flippo, a Republican from Mountain Home, would prohibit the State Alcoholic Beverage Control Division or its agents from enforcing state laws related to gambling or gambling devices.

Right now, ABC investigates and enforces all laws relating to the sale of alcohol, as well as cigarettes and, soon, medical marijuana.

Among the laws are prohibitions on gambling in places such as clubs, taverns and fraternal organizations, such as the Elks, Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion, that are licensed to sell beer, wine and spirits.

Now, it should come as no surprise to anyone that in some places a little social gambling goes on. Maybe a card game or a small-stakes football pool. A few other places, though, are more ambitious, offering higher-dollar betting opportunities including bookmaking and video poker or other gaming devices.

Alcohol license holders can get into big trouble if they are caught allowing or backing illegal gambling in any form. The ABC is one of the main watchdogs. This bill would have forced its agents to turn a blind eye to illegal activity.

And for some reason both the state House and Senate voted to take that power away. Local law enforcement, which often has better things to do, would be tasked with the job. The bill’s sponsor said it would not lead to expanded gambling.

In our view it would do nothing else.

Sensibly, Gov. Asa Hutchinson vetoed the bill.

The governor’s office said if lawmakers wanted to change gambling laws, they should do so directly. We agree.

Reasonable people can debate about whether gambling is good or bad, whether it should be legal in some forms or banned in total. But where we see no room for argument is whether current laws should be enforced. Change the law if you wish. But don’t craft what amounts to a wink-and-nod exemption.