Saracen Casino Resort
And the Winner Is … (Hunter Field Editor’s Note)
50-50 raffles are coming; I’d be surprised if they are the silver bullets some expect. read more >
by Hunter Field -
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 -
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 >
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 -
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 -
Baby Needs a New Hobby (Gwen Moritz Commentary)
The defense for a rancher who swindled Tyson Foods says he was addicted to futures trading by phone. read more >
by Gwen Moritz -
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 -
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 -
Saracen Launches Mobile Sports Betting
With its app and website now live, Saracen becomes the second casino in Arkansas to start accepting mobile wagers. read more >
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 Betting Gets Final OK in Arkansas
It's on track to launch before March Madness. read more >
by Scott Carroll -
Update: Mobile Sports Betting Advances After Profit-Sharing Rule Approved
A final vote in the full committee is expected next week. read more >
by Scott Carroll -
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 -
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 -
Arkansas Racetracks Take Opposite Turns
Greyhounds will stop running at Southland Casino Racing in West Memphis. In contrast, Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in Hot Springs is running an expanded horse meet that began in December with a near-record 66 race days scheduled. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
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 -
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