Arkansas Racing Commission
Arkansas Casinos Generate Nearly $110M in Taxes as Market Expands
Carlton Saffa, the chief market officer for Saracen Casino Resort, said higher annual tax revenue is “very easily doable," especially when the casino in Pine Bluff completes its expansion. read more >
by Mark Friedman -
Arkansas Problem Gambling Council Seeks Increased Funding as Calls for Help Surge
This year, the number of calls to the nonprofit hotline, 1-800-Gambler, is expected to be up 5% from last year’s total of about 7,000 calls, said Vena Schexnayder, founder of the organization. The nearly 7,000 calls the APGC received in 2023 was an increase of 22% from 2022. read more >
by Mark Friedman -
Arkansas Racing Commission Awards Pope County Casino License to Cherokee Nation
The vote clears the way for the $320 million Legends Resort & Casino project after years of legal fighting over the license. read more >
Arkansas Year in Review: Top 10 Business Stories of 2023
Businesses and consumers in Arkansas and the rest of the country spent 2023 in the shadow of rising interest rates. Businesses dealt with other adversity, including rising insurance rates and a deadly March tornado. Other stories this year were more hopeful.
read more >
Pope County Judge’s Letter Backs Cherokee Casino
Pope County Judge Ben Cross is doubling down on his support for a casino planned near Russellville by Cherokee Nation Businesses of Catoosa, Oklahoma. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
State Supreme Court Rules Against Cherokee Casino in Russellville
The Arkansas Supreme Court threw plans for a Cherokee casino in Russellville into disarray on Thursday, upholding a ruling that voided the casino company’s license. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
Update: Cherokee Nation to Appeal Ruling That Voids Casino License
The ruling is universally expected to face an appeal. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
Mobile Betting Taking Off in Arkansas
Though still in its infancy, the future of mobile sports betting in Arkansas looks promising as more casinos gain approval and launch apps. read more >
by Marty Cook -
Casino Apps Prepped; Sports Betting Spikes
Wagers for the month were more than $10.6 million, beating the previous record set in October by $1 million. read more >
Southland Launches Online Sportsbook; Saracen Awaits App Approval
Southland had been quiet about its preparations for mobile betting in Arkansas, making it something of a surprise that it was first to launch. read more >
Mobile Sports Bets May Be Just a Tap Away
The state has three glittering gambling halls and a fourth on the drawing board, but Arkansas sports bettors could soon have a mini-casino in their pockets: their cellphones. read more >
by Mark Friedman -
Racing Commission Awards Pope County License to Cherokee Nation Businesses
The Arkansas Racing Commission awards the Pope County casino license to Cherokee Nation Businesses, giving the company control of the state’s fourth and final casino license. read more >
by -
Supreme Court to Decide Who Builds Russellville Casino
The Arkansas Supreme Court will soon decide which of two gaming groups will build the state’s fourth casino, in Pope County. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
Gulfside Casino Hires Nabholz, AnderCorp to Build Casino
Nabholz Construction Corp. of Conway and AnderCorp LLC of Gulfport, Mississippi, formed a joint venture to oversee construction of the River Valley Casino Resort in Pope County. read more >
Racing Commission Affirms Decision on Gulfside Casino
The Arkansas Racing Commission votes unanimously to make final its July 30 decision to award the Mississippi-based Gulfside Casino Partnership a permit that will allow Gulfside to operate a casino in Pope County. read more >
Judge Clears Path for Saracen Casino Design Lawsuit
A U.S. District Court judge ruled last week that a 2019 lawsuit can go forward over who designed the $350 million Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Bluff. read more >
Racing Chairman Alex Lieblong Keeps Tight Rein on Casino Applicants
Alex Lieblong, the Arkansas racing commissioner, says the "BS meter is probably the No. 1 meter you need, in all things in life." read more >
Southland to Stop Greyhound Racing by End of 2022
An east Arkansas track has agreed to phase out greyhound racing over the next three years, citing a decline in dog racing nationally and fears that the state's voters would approve ending the practice. read more >
by -
Commission Approves License for Pine Bluff Casino, Rejects Bids in Pope County
The Arkansas Racing Commission grants the Downstream Development Authority a casino license in Jefferson County, paving the way for construction to begin immediately on the $350 million Saracen Casino Resort there. read more >
by Lance Turner -
Quapaw Return to Arkansas Bearing a Casino
Pine Bluff gets ready to host the commercial return of Arkansas' "namesake" tribe. read more >
by George Waldon -
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