IN OUR VIEW/Sports Betting: Arkansas may soon have an app for that. But is it a good idea?

When Arkansas voters legalized casino gambling at four locations in the state in 2018, they also legalized sports betting.

Right now, the only place to lay down a wager on your favorite team is at the three casinos currently operating -- Oaklawn park in Hot Springs, Southland in West Memphis and Saracen in pine Bluff. But that i likely changing.

The Arkansas Racing Commission is considering allowing those within the state to bet via their smartphone.

An app would let anyone of legal age within Arkansas place bets on football, basketball, baseball and other sports. It could be up and running in time for the Super Bowl.

Those who favor mobile betting point to more revenue for the state. And, they say, those who want to bet sports will do so illegal with a bookmaker if legal options are unavailable.

Opponents say mobile betting could become the "crack cocaine" of gambling -- easy, addictive and expensive.

We want to know what you think. Should Arkansas legalize mobile sports betting? Or should those who want to place such wagers legally have to go to one of the state's casinos?

Send your response (50 words maximum) to [email protected] by Wednesday, November 24. You can also mail your response to the Texarkana Gazette Friday Poll, at P.O. Box 621, Texarkana, TX 75504 or drop it off at our office, 101 E. Broad St, Texarkana, Ark. Be sure to include your name, address and phone number. We will print as many responses as we can in next Friday's paper.

Last Week: Rising Prices?

Last week's question was about rising prices. Has inflation affected your and your family in a significant way over the past year Do you believe there will be any relief from high prices anytime soon?

How many people even know that the Federal Reserve is the entity that has the tools to handle inflation. The public has amnesia and think they should blame the government because they cannot have what they want when they want it at a low price or interest rate. We have had a worldwide pandemic. People! -- B.G.M., Hooks, Texas

From facebook.com/texarkanagazette

- And the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Sad sad world we live in now a days. I went to school and got a career and still live paycheck to paycheck. I don't want to be rich, I just want to be able to go to the grocery store and be able to buy the necessary groceries without having to have a calculator in my hand to make sure I have enough money to buy them. What a shame.

- Entire countries were completely shut down for almost a year, affecting production and exports. Blame political parties if that helps you sleep at night, but the truth of the matter is just because our area didn't take this as seriously as other areas or countries that doesn't mean all these things haven't happened. As always there is a small group of people making money off of the little people, and it's not politicians. Blame your CEOs whose pay hasn't changed at all.

- Probably gonna get worse before any relief is seen I am afraid.

-It'll all work out.

- I am making $600-$700 a month. It's extremely difficult. If prices go up any more, I will literally have to choose between my blood pressure medication and food

- Give us back the oil pipelines and everything will go back in place.

- The increase is actually due to the Pandemic ... think about it ...

- Nope if we don't get a Republican majority in the House and Senate in 2022 there is no hope, we need to continue praying for our nation.

- No. Inflation has not been a significant issue for me and I do believe it will begin to get better soon.

- Yes inflation has effected us, but we have to keep trusting God, that things will get better. But politician will put everything on Biden, but its Congress

Upcoming Events