Speculation is growing over whether the Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma plans to build a casino on its recently purchase 160-acre tract in Little Rock, Arkansas. The tribe owned property in the area prior to the 1800s. “Then in the 1850s we were removed from Arkansas and brought out to Indian Territory of Oklahoma,” said Chairman John Berrey. Today most of the tribe’s 4,500 members live in Quapaw, Oklahoma where the tribe operates two casinos, including the Downstream Casino Resort, as well as gas stations, restaurants, a hotel, spa and golf course. These enterprises provide more than 2,000 jobs.
Berrey said the tribe has no plans to build a casino in Pulaski County, but he does not rule out that possibility. “I would never say never. We would love to help the state out in any fiscal situation. We would love to employ a lot of people. We have a great record in doing those types of things. So if the opportunity arises, we would probably take advantage of it , but right now, we are trying to protect it and be a good steward of what we own,” Berrey said.
He added, “Native Americans can have casinos under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. We have two, very beautiful, very nice casinos. We are very successful in the casino business. We are very efficient and we have a very nice product and we are a big economic impact on the region.”
But for now, he said, “We don’t know what the opportunities are in Arkansas, but we just want to be part of the state. We are more concerned right now about our history and reestablishing ourselves to the people and children in Arkansas. We were part of the very beginning of the state and we want to be part of the future state of Arkansas.”
Regarding the casino rumors, Berrey noted, “I just think people try to put stuff together that may or may not exist.” He said there is no timetable for making a decision about what to do with the land.
