Arkansas Casinos | 2024 Updates

Pope County Casino | Cherokee Nation sues to block Issue 2 November 15, 2024 - Last week Arkansas voters approved Issue 2, which repeals the Pope County casino license issued last June to Cherokee Nation Ent ... Read more

News Headlines

Election Day | Pope County Casino Blocked by Issue No. 2 Approval November 5, 2024 - Arkansas voters approved Issue No. 2 tonight. The ballot measure voids the Pope County casino license issued by the Arkansas Racing Commission ... Read more

Saracen Casino's Hotel Construction Reaches Midpoint Milestone Today! October 29, 2024 - Construction of the new hotel at Saracen Casino celebrated a major milestone at 11 AM today as the final beam was placed atop the ... Read more

Pope County Casino | Arkansas Supreme Court certifies casino measure for Nov. ballot October 17, 2024 - The Arkansas Supreme Court ruled today against the second part of a legal challenge to disqualify Issue 2, as a casino measure ... Read more

Cherokee Nation (CNE) sues to block anti-casino ballot amendment August 5, 2024 - One day after Arkansas officials approved an anti-casino ballot measure for this November, Cherokee Nation Entertainment filed a lawsuit to block it ... Read more

Saracen Casino will open hotel, event center in Fall 2025 July 29, 2024 - Saracen Casino Resort will open its new hotel and event center in Fall 2025, according to Carlton Saffa, the Chief Market Officer of Saracen. The hotel will be a 13-story, glass ... Read more Headlines continued...

Arkansas Minimum Gambling Age

Minimum gambling ages are 21 years old for casinos, 21 for poker, 18 for bingo, 18 for horse racing, 18 for the lottery.

Arkansas Casinos

The Arkansas constitutional amendment approved by voters in Nov 2018 authorized four casinos to be licensed for Vegas-style gambling. Two of those casino licenses were designated for new casinos in Jefferson and Pope counties. The other two licenses were granted to two existing racetracks: Oaklawn Racetrack in Hot Springs National Park and Southland Racetrack in West Memphis, AR

NEW CASINOS - A casino license for Jefferson County was issued to Saracen Casino in June 2019. A license to build Legends Resort Casino Arkansas in Pope County was issued in June 2024.

Legends Resort & Casino Arkansas (Opens 2026)
Russellville, Arkansas

Saracen Casino Resort
Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas

RACINOS - Both Oaklawn and Southland racetracks were licensed and began casino operations on April 1, 2019.

Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort
2705 Central Avenue
Hot Springs National Park, AR 71901
(501) 623-4411

Southland Casino Racing
1550 Ingram Boulevard
West Memphis, AR 72301
870 735-3670

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History: Legalization of Casino Gambling 2018

A ballot measure calling for the state to license four casinos was approved by voters in the Nov 2018 election.

The resulting constitutional amendment authorised the Arkansas Racing Commission to regulate casinos and defines casino gambling as Vegas-style gambling and sports betting.

The amendment also authorized the new types of casino gambling to be played at racinos (racetrack and casino), where previously these track casinos could only offer electronic games of skill.

Arkansas had two existing racinos: Oaklawn Racing & Gaming in Hot Springs and Southland Gaming and Racing in West Memphis. Both Oaklawn and Southland quickly announced major expansion plans to build larger casinos and to add hotels.

Two new additional casinos were licensed by the Racing Commissions bringing the total to four casinos. One was in Jefferson County and the other in Pope County.

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News Articles

Cherokee Nation wins Pope County casino case in Arkansas Supreme Court

October 24, 2021

The Arkansas Supreme Court sided with the Cherokee Nation in a dispute over the sole casino license in Pope County. The court overturned an earlier approval for Gulfside Casino Partnership to build a casino in Russellville.

The high court decision now returns the casino licensing issue the Arkansas Racing Commission to decide between the Pope County casino proposals of Gulfside Casino Partnership and Cherokee Nation Businesses.

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Supreme Court reshuffles the deck on plans for casino license in Pope County - Courtesy of KARK 4 News, Oct 21, 2021. Available from YouTube

The two Pope County proposals for the casino license are:

River Valley Casino Resort
Russellville, Arkansas
Applicant: Gulfside Casino Partners
See Proposal

Legends Resort & Casino Arkansas
Russellville, Arkansas
Applicant: Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma in partneship with Legends, a hospitality and stadium-management company
See Proposal

After the court decision was anounced, Scott Hardin, the spokesperson for the Arkansas Racing Commission, said the court will take about 18 days to finalize the decision. After that the Commission will meet to outline the next steps towards licensing one of the two proposals..

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Arkansas's Pope County casino license case is headed to Supreme Court

June 3, 2021

For the second time a Pulaski County circuit judge ruled in favor of the Arkansas Racing Commission's decision on June 18, 2020 to award the sole Pope County casino license to Gulfside Casino Partnership.

Judge Tim Fox ruled the state law requiring casino license endorsements must be from local officials in office at the time of application is unconstitutional because it adds an extra requirement to constitutional Amendment 100.

Cherokee Nation Businesses, which applied for the Pope County casino license and brought the lawsuit, said they had expected the ruling and would immediately file a Notice of Appeal with the Supreme Court,

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Cherokee sue to reverse Pope County casino decision

March 13, 2021

Cherokee Nation Businesses (CBN) have filed another lawsuit to reverse the decision of the Arkansas Racing Commission (ARC) that granted the sole Pope County casino license to Gulfside Casino Partnership. The suit claims the ARC's decision was unlawful due to Gulfside's legally insufficient application, and that decision should be reversed in favor of CBN, the only remaining applicant.

The Cherokee claim their application to build the Legends Resort & Casino in Russellville is "objectively superior" because it was endorsed by Pope County officials in office at the time, CNB has more industry experience, outside financing is not necessary, and the construction timeline will shorter.

The continued litigation is preventing Gulfside from starting construction on its River Valley Casino Resort plan for Russelville.

The suit was filed against the Arkansas Racing Commission, its members and the Gulfside Casino Partnership.

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'Arkansas Wins 2020' ballot campaign is ended

UPDATE
August 7, 2020 - The Arkansas Wins 2020 campaign committee filed a motion in court today to dismiss their case, thus ending their campaign for a Nov. ballot measure.

August 5, 2020

Arkansas Wins 2020, the petition to legalize 16 more casinos with a constitutional amendment on the Nov 3 ballot, appears to be headed for life support.

A few weeks ago Secretary of State John Thurston proclaimed the petition was ineligible for the ballot due to noncompliance with state requirements for paid canvassers.
Last week the Board of Election of Commissioners rejected the petition in a 5-1 vote

The Arkansas Wins 2020 support group is appealing both decisions. On July 31 the Arkansas Supreme Court approved the group's request for Secretary Thurston to verify the signatures submitted for the ballot measure. The court also granted "provisional certification of the initiative pending review of the merits of the certification by the court."

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"Arkansas Wins 2020" reaches signature requirement

July 14, 2020

The "Arkansas Wins 2020" ballot initiative has reached 97,000 signatures from residents supporting a massive expansion in the number of state-licensed casinos. The signatures have been submitted to the Arkansas secretary of state for validation for the Nov 2020 ballot. A minimum of 89,151 signatures must be verified as registered voters.

This ballot measure would amend the state constitution to allow up to 16 additional casinos. Each casino operator would pay a one-time licensing fee of $250,000 and a tax on gross gaming revenues of 13% on the first $150M revenues and 20% above that.

UPDATE July 17, 2020
Secretary of State John Thurston ruled the Arkansas Wins 2020 petition invalid because its canvassers failed to include the required background check.

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Arkansas Launches Sports Betting

July 2, 2019

In the November 2019 election Arkansas voters approved sports betting at four casino locations. On July 1, 2020 Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in Hot Springs became the first of the four to open their sports book.

The other three locations that will open sports betting are Southland Racetrack in West Memphis, the new Saracen Casino Resort coming to Jefferson County, and a new casino to be licensed in Pope County.

Each casino will pay the state a 13% tax on the first $150 million of revenues from sports betting. The tax rate increases to 20% on revenues above $150 million.

Mobile and online betting have not yet been approved by the state legislature.

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Arkansas has 6 bids for 2 new casinos

May 31, 2019

The bidding period ended yesterday at 5:00pm for interested parties to submit their application to the Arkansas Racing Commission for development of a casino in Pope or Jefferson County.

A total of six applications were submitted. Five bids were placed for the Pope County casino. Only the Quapaw Nation bid on a casino in Jefferson County. The Arkansas Racing Commission will begin review of each submission on June 13.

The five bidders for the Pope County casino were:

Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma
Choctaw Nation
Gulfside Casino Partnership
Hard Rock International & Warner Gaming, Joint Venture
Robert and Ruth Kehl
Tri-Peaks Entertainment Group LLC

Arkansas voters approved 4 casino gaming locations in last November's election. In addition to new casinos in Pope and Jefferson counties, two racetracks were authorized to add Vegas-style gambling. These were the Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort and Southland Casino Racing. Both opened their casino operations on April 1, 2019.

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Arkansas' First Casinos Open at Two Racetracks

April 1, 2019

Arkansas' First Casinos Open at Two Racetracks

Five months after voters approved casino gambling in Arkansas, two race track have official opened their new casino operations with blackjack, poker, roulette and slot machines. Sports betting is expected in a few months.

Under the new law these casinos will be open 24/7 year round. Previously as racetracks they closed for Christmas and Easter.

Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort

Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in Hot Springs opened their new casino at 4am April 1st. Oaklawn offers 1,300 slot machines and 22 live table games.

Oaklawn will begin a $100 million construction project in May to build an entertainment center and a 200-room hotel with a spa and an outdoor pool. Construction will be completed in early 2020.

Southland Casino and Racing

Southland Casino and Racing in West Memphis also opened their new casino April 1. Southland hosts 2,000 slot machines and 40 live table games.

Southland will begin a $250 million construction project in May to add 28,000 square feet of casino space with an additional 500 slot machines and 20 table games. The project also includes a 20-story hotel tower and four new restaurants.

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Arkansas voters pass casino amendment

November 06, 2018

On Wednesday approval was given to add proposed casino legislation to the Arkansas November ballot. 85,000 signatures from registered voters were needed in support of the proposed measure. 99,988 signatures were submitted.

The measure would bring casino gaming to select racetracks. Those racetracks operate electronic gaming, such as video poker.

Out of state competition has prompted the proposed measure. Residents of Arkansas are crossing the state line to gamble. That is potential tax revenue that Arkansas could use for improvements like infrastructure. There would also be the creation of new jobs.

The measure is opposed by Gov. Asa Hutchinson and a conservative group.

Quapaw tribe contributes $1.4M to support casino referendum

September 18, 2018

The ballot measure that would allow for the development of 4 casinos in Arkansas has received a $1.4 million contribution in support by a Native American tribe.

In August a donation of $191,000 was given to Driving Arkansas Forward by the Quapaw Tribe in Oklahoma. This made the total donations to the cause $1.4 million.

If the proposed measure is approved the Arkansas State Racing Commission will allow the Southland Racing Corp. and Oaklawn Jockey Club to expand their gaming offerings. Also, two new casinos would be built. One would be in Russellville. The other near Pine Bluff.

The proposed measure has been certified for the ballot this November.

Last week the Arkansas Supreme Court was asked to have the measure removed from the ballot by two committees.

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Oklahoma Tribes contribute funds to Arkansas Casino Campaign

July 18, 2018

A constitutional ballot referendum is being proposed that would allow for four casinos to be built in the State of Arkansas. The committee that is striving to push the measure forward is Driving Arkansas Forward. The group has support from both the Cherokee Nation and the Quapaw Tribe. The Cherokee Nation has contributed $525,300. The Quapaw have contributed $707,000. This is a total contribution of $1.23 million.

Another $180,000 was given by the Quapaw Tribe to pay for the hiring of a firm that will collect signatures to have the proposed measure placed on the November ballot. The Gulfside Casino Partnership and the Association of Gaming Equipment also donated an additional $10,000.

A large portion of the money will be spent on advertising to promote the measure.

Voters need to give approval for the measure if casinos will be allowed to be built. Southland and Oaklawn Racing would be allowed to expand their wagering operations and be allowed to offer some casino gaming. Two other casinos would be built in Jefferson and Pope Counties.

It is possible that $120 million could be earned in tax revenue for the state every year per a report by the Driving Arkansas Forward committee.

July 9 was the date that signatures needed to be submitted by. Over 96,000 collected signatures of approval were given to the office of the Arkansas Secretary, Mark Martin. The process has started to authenticate the signatures.

Currently there are 11 states that do not have casinos.

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Arkansas casino measure is officially on Nov 6 ballot

May 29, 2018

A ballot measure is about to be voted on by Arkansas voters asking to build four casinos. One would be located in Jefferson County. The measure was recent approved to move forward by Leslie Rutledge, the Attorney General for Arkansas.

The push behind allowing for casinos to be built in the state is being supported by the group, Driving Arkansas Forward. Under the proposed bill the casinos would be taxed at 65%. The money would go to improve bridges and roads.

For the measure to be placed on the ballot for voters to decide, signatures need to be collected to show support. By July 6 84,859 signatures must be submitted. Voting will take place on November 6.

In addition to Jefferson County, Pope County is another location for two casinos. They would be located in West Memphis at the Southland greyhound track. Also, at the Oaklawn horse track that is located in Hot Springs.

The measure previously failed approval from the Arkansas Attorney General due to the wording of the bill's title. Rutledge believed that the wording was misleading and would not be clear to the voters. A lawsuit occurred shortly after. The Arkansas Supreme Court heard the case, Couch v. Rutledge. After the ruling, Rutledge certified the title for the proposed measure.

When the announcement was made earlier this year that the casino measure could move forward, members of the business community and officials from Pine Bluff and Jefferson County met. There was an event for the Economic Alliance for Jefferson County. During this meeting plans for a new resort casino were presented by the Quapaw Indian Tribe's Chief, John Berrey. The project would create 1,000 new jobs in the county.

The tribe owns a casino in Oklahoma. Located in Joplin, Missouri and close to the state line boarder.

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Arkansas AG rejects casinos ballot initiative

April 11, 2018

A proposal that would allow for the development of four casinos in Arkansas was denied on Tuesday by Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. The proposal was for the naming and ballot title for a bill that would require a constitutional amendment allowing the casinos. The casinos would be built in Miller, Benton, Pulaski, and Boone counties. Tax money from the casinos would go to fund highway infrastructure projects.

The proposal is being promoted by Arkansas Wins in 2018 Inc. It is a private group in favor of the development of casinos in the state.

Currently electronic versions of games of skill are permitted to be in operation. These games can be found in West Memphis at Southland Park Gaming and Racing and in Hot Springs at Oaklawn Racing and Gaming.

The ballot title and naming were denied for the proposed measure since the Attorney General Leslie Rutledge did not believe they accurately described the proposal. She believes the text was ambiguous and not clear what was being proposed to voters.

Certification is needed by the Attorney General for the ballot title and popular name. This must happen before signature collection in support of the measure can take place. 84,859 signatures will be needed to have the measure placed on the general election ballot for November 06 of this year.

This is not the first time that a proposed casino bill has been rejected by the AG. It happens to be the third time this year. Earlier this year Driving Arkansas Forward attempted to have their ballot name and title approved. That proposal would have allowed for four casino licenses. Southland and Oaklawn would have received one each. The other two would go to Pope and Jefferson counties. The tax revenue made from the gaming would also go to fund highway projects.

A different proposal has been submitted by Driving Arkansas Forward. This one involves the Quapaw Tribe. The tribe has interest in developing a casino.

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Arkansas Election Measure Proposes Three Casinos

January 08, 2018

A constitutional amendment has been submitted to state Attorney General Leslie Rutledge's office last week. The amendment would allow for three casinos to be developed in Arkansas.

The state would receive 12 percent of the gross revenue from each casino under the proposed amendment. Most of the money would go to the Arkansas Department of Transportation. It is estimated that could be $45 million in annual proceeds for rood improvements.

Crittenden and Jefferson counties would be the location for two of the casinos. Either Union, Mississippi, White, or Pope county would be the location for the third.

There will be a $100 million minimum investment by the casino operators.

A poll conducted in 2016 found that 38 percent of Arkansas residents favored the idea of a casino. 49 percent were against it. 13 percent were unsure.

Currently slot machines are located at two parimutuel racetracks. However there are no Native American owned casinos or commercial casinos in the state.

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