Plans for the $210-$240 million Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Bluff, Arkansas are moving forward, according to Quapaw Tribe Chief John Berrey, who added the project will create more than 1,000 permanent jobs. Voters approved Amendment 100 allowing the casino resort in Jefferson County in November, along with another in Pope County, plus expanded gambling at Hot Springs and West Memphis racinos.
Berrey said the state could issue a license in April, after which he hopes to start construction and open in February 2020. The Quapaws own the Downstream Casino in Oklahoma, which was competed in 10 months Berrey said. Downstream Development already has “spent thousands of dollars” preparing for building the Saracen property. The gaming floor will be built first, “to give us cash flow,” he said, and the 300-room resort hotel could take an additional six months. “We want to help make Pine Bluff better. We want to create a destination for people to come from outside Jefferson County,” Berrey stated.
Meanwhile, in a court filing, Gulfside Casino Partnership LLC said it would have the right to sue the Arkansas Racing Commission for breach of the state constitution if it doesn’t follow a recently passed amendment and issue four casino licenses—including one for Pope County, where Gulfside hopes to build a $254 million casino resort with a 600-room hotel. However, current Pope County officials who took office last month said they are opposed to a casino and won’t endorse Gulfside’s proposal. Previously, Pope County and Russellville officials endorsed the project before they left office in December. Among many rules in the 314-page draft of rules, the commission unanimously approved Rule 2.13, which requires endorsements under Amendment 100 to come only from those holding office at the time a casino license application is submitted.
Gulfside’s attorney Casey Castleberry said, “Gulfside is disappointed the Arkansas Racing Commission adopted these rules, which are in direct violation of the Arkansas constitution and send valuable gaming revenue to Oklahoma instead of funding our state’s highways. Any rule promulgated by the Arkansas Racing Commission which results in the issuance of less than four casino licenses is in direct conflict with Amendment 100 and is, therefore, unconstitutional.”
