Quapaw Nation gets nod to operate proposed casino in Arkansas

In Arkansas, plans for the proposed Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Bluff continue to proceed as the Downstream Development Authority, a subsidiary of this Quapaw Nation recently announced letters supporting the casino license application from neighborhood leaders at both county and city government.

The Quapaw Nation own and run the Quapaw Casino along with also the Downstream Casino Resort, both situated in neighboring Oklahoma.

The letters of support written by Pine Bluff Mayor Shirley Washington and Jefferson County Judge Booker Clemons (pictured below right) into the Arkansas Racing Commission satisfied a requirement in Amendment 100 into the Arkansas Constitution that states that new casino operations can be established in Jefferson and Pope counties provided there is local support from elected officials.

“a responsibility to the region“

Oaklawn Racing and Gambling  in the city of Hot Springs along with West Memphis’ Southland Park Gambling and Racing are equally exempt from the requirement.

In the recent press release, John Berrey, chairman of Downstream along with the Quapaw Nation stated …

“It’s long been our goal to energize Pine Bluff and Jefferson County via a substantial economic investment.  As the original homeland for the Quapaw Nation, we think we have a responsibility to the area to be good corporate citizens. This casino resort is going to be a source of pride for the community. It will create hundreds of jobs and generate millions of dollars in earnings which will help improve the city’s and county’s infrastructure and quality of life. ”

Based on Berrey, pending regulatory approval, Pine Bluff’s Saracen Casino Resort can start by late 2019.

The Racing Commission will reportedly meet Wednesday to discuss the casino change ’so advancement, according to Scott Hardin, a spokesman for the Department of Finance and Administration.

Letters not obtained :

At the time of the December 4 newspaper report, Hardin reportedly said that the letters of support of an applicant in Pope County claimed by the Downstream Development Authority hadn’t yet been received by the agency.

What was subsequently Issue 4, was largely encouraged by the Downstream Development Authority and in addition to seeing the Arkansas Racing Commission authorize one casino each for the more for both previously mentioned rural towns, allow Oaklawn Racing and Gaming and Southland Park Gambling and Racing to transform into full-scale casinos.

Limited offering:

Ahead of November 6, 2018, when voters approved the constitutional amendment, both facilities were limited to supplying electronic skill games under a 2005 state legislation.

According to a report from the Driving Arkansas Forward poll that sponsored Issue 4, of the $7.05 million which was increased for the aggressive campaign, $3.65 million was donated to the committee by the Downstream Development Authority of the Quapaw Tribe in Quapaw, Oklahoma, while Cherokee Nation Businesses LLC in Catoosa, Oklahoma, led $2.28 million and Buffalo, New York-based Delaware North, parent company of Southland Park Gambling and Racing, additional $1.16 million into the effort, as reported by the Arkansaw Democrat-Gazette.

Oaklawn expansion intended :

About the heels of the passing of Issue 4, Oaklawn Racing and Gambling announced plans to invest over $100 million in an expansion project to include the addition of approximately 28,000 square feet of gambling space and the building of a seven-story 200-room and suites hotel with an outdoor swimming pool, luxury spa, fitness center and restaurant along with a 14,000 square-foot multi-purpose events centre and more.

Possible 2020 completion:

Based on Oaklawn, building on the project will start in May, after the 2019 racing season. January 2020 is the target completion date for the gambling growth while the hotel and event center is anticipated to be completed later that year.

Ahead of the departure of the ballot measure on November 6, there was talk of Southland Park Gambling & Racing building a $200 million hotel and convention centre, according to Talk Business & Politics.