Quapaw Nation
Top Stories of 2024
Interest rates, the top business story of 2023, moderated in 2024, but insurance costs continued to skyrocket, sending last year’s No. 3 story to the top of this year’s annual list. read more >
Saracen Raises Ante: $230M Event Center & Hotel Heads for 2025 Debut
Work began in October on the 440,000-SF expansion that will more than triple the size of the casino complex in Pine Bluff.
read more >
by George Waldon -
Former Quapaw Lawyer Accused of Embezzling From Saracen Casino
Jack Brill allegedly funneled more than $2.34 million to former Quapaw Business Committee Chair John Berrey and several other associates. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
Saracen Set to Roll Out $200M Addition
The 400,000-SF hotel-event center will be one of the largest in Arkansas. “We’re all in,” said Carlton Saffa, chief market officer for Saracen. read more >
by George Waldon -
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 >
Saracen Casino Design Case Reaches Settlement
Renowned Fayetteville architect Marlon Blackwell will now receive credit for designing the $350 million Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Bluff. read more >
Saracen Draws New Funding After Showing a Good Hand
Pine Bluff's Saracen Casino Resort proves it’s a favorable bet, landing a $375M refinancing deal. read more >
by George Waldon -
Saracen Credit Ratings Go Up
Moody upgraded Saracen’s corporate family rating and $285 million senior secured notes due in 2025 to B3 from Caa1. read more >
As Dice Roll, So Do Ads
With three casinos operating in Arkansas, marketing heats up and ads proliferate. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
Fresenius Facility Visited by $2.3M Sale (Real Deals)
An affiliate of New York’s White Oak Healthcare MOB REIT purchased the 12th Street project from an affiliate of Orion Investment & Management Ltd. of Miami. read more >
by George Waldon -
Quapaw Kicks Former Chairman Off Ballot
The Quapaw Nation Business Committee votes to kick off the ballot John L. Berrey, the former chairman who is facing criminal charges for abuse of office, conspiracy and embezzlement. read more >
Midtown Medical Property Sells for $2.3M
A medical office, apartments, warehouses, retail, commercial land, industrial property and more comprise this week’s roster of million-dollar real estate transactions. read more >
Quapaw Charges Former Chairman John Berrey with Embezzlement, Conspiracy
The Quapaw Nation of Oklahoma filed criminal charges on Friday against its former long-time chairman, John L. Berrey, for abuse of office, conspiracy and embezzlement. read more >
by Mark Friedman -
Quapaw Audit Asks a $34 Million Question
The Quapaw Nation of Oklahoma, owner of the Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Bluff, says a forensic audit expected to be completed this month indicates that $34 million in tribal casino profits from Oklahoma were misspent by the previous tribal business administration. read more >
by Mark Friedman -
Gambling Profits Help Quapaw Leaders Play Many Hands
Joseph Byrd and Guy Barker lead the government of the Quapaw Nation, which owns and operates Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Bluff. They talk about casinos, business development and UA donations. 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 >
Ahead of Casino Opening, New Quapaw Leader Goes Quiet
Joseph Byrd, the new Quapaw Nation business chairman, has not responded to repeated requests for comment. And he’s been equally silent with local and state officials on how plans for an Oct. 1 grand opening are proceeding for the 80,000-SF Saracen Casino Resort gaming floor. read more >
Pine Bluff Gets a Sprucing Up
Led by the Saracen Casino Resort, which has a construction value of $215 million, Pine Bluff is seeing growth across the city unlike any in recent years. read more >
by Mark Friedman -
Saracen Casino to Hire 800 Ahead of October Open
Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Bluff will create about 800 new jobs in the next few weeks as it prepares to open in early October. read more >
John Berrey Talks of Working on Pine Bluff Casino
John Berrey, the ousted longtime chairman of the Quapaw Nation, spoke with Arkansas Business by phone on Thursday about his time in office and what this transition means for the Pine Bluff project. read more >
Sign up for Daily E-news
Sign Up
THIS WEEK’S EDITION
This Week’s Stories
View Digital Edition
