In Arkansas, Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort is the official new name of Oaklawn Racing and Gaming in Hot Springs and Southland Casino Racing is the official new name of Southland Casino and Racing in West Memphis. As of April 1, both became full-fledged casinos, offering live table games including craps, roulette and blackjack. Both also have announced multimillion dollar expansion plans, including sports books, hotels, restaurants and entertainment facilities.
Oaklawn President Louis Cella said, “There has never been a more exciting time in Oaklawn’s history than right now. We are already reaping the benefits of racing all the way through May 4 with amazing crowds and world class racing. We couldn’t be more thrilled about our future as we continue to elevate Thoroughbred racing and strengthen regional tourism in Hot Springs and Arkansas.”
Oaklawn now offers eight live table games and 1,300 slots. Sports betting will be added in the near future. Construction will begin in May on its $100 million expansion, announced last November, which will include an additional 28,000 square feet of gaming space, 200-room luxury hotel with pool, spa and fitness center, 14,000 square foot multipurpose entertainment center and new dining options.
Southland Casino Racing added 20 live-dealer tables for a total of 40 and an additional 500 slots for a total of 2,050.
Lou Jacobs, chief executive officer at Delaware North, Southland’s owner, said, “Our $250 million investment will include a new casino complex with state of the art games and an exciting culinary program. It will also include a signature 20-story, 300-room high-rise hotel.” The expansion will add 400 new permanent jobs in addition to the current 800.
Last November, Arkansas voters, by more than 100,000 votes, approved the two racinos becoming full casinos. They also approved one casino each in Jefferson and Pope counties.
A recent revenue assessment indicated with only three casinos–in Oaklawn, Southland and Jefferson County–operating until 2022, the state will take in in $31.2 million in gaming revenue annually in 2020. Any revenue beyond that, beginning in 2021, would help fund the state’s new highway plan. By 2028, the state expects to take in more than $74 million in revenue, with $43 million going to fund highways.
In May, the Arkansas Racing Commission will begin accepting applications for casinos in Jefferson and Pope counties. The Quapaw Nation in Oklahoma has proposed the $350 million Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, including a casino, resort hotel and cultural center.
The situation is more complex in Pope County, where a casino developer has threatened to file a lawsuit. County Judge Ben Cross said a casino may not open there for months or perhaps years.
