Arkansas Casinos: The Natural State's Gaming Revolution
Saracen in Pine Bluff. Oaklawn in Hot Springs. Southland in West Memphis. Arkansas Casino Country Is Open.
In November 2018, Arkansas voters passed Issue 4 — a constitutional amendment that changed everything. For the first time in state history, full-scale commercial casinos with slots, table games, and sports betting were authorized. What followed was one of the most rapid casino buildouts in recent American history. Saracen Casino Resort (Pine Bluff) opened as a temporary facility in 2019 and unveiled a stunning AAA Four Diamond resort in 2022. Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort (Hot Springs) expanded its century-old racing venue into a full casino destination. Southland Casino Hotel (West Memphis) became the go-to for the entire Memphis metro. Arkansas has arrived — and it's worth the drive.
3 Full Casino Resorts
Statewide, all opened 2019–2022
Issue 4 — November 2018
The vote that changed Arkansas gaming
Sports Betting Statewide
Mobile + retail via licensed apps
How Arkansas Got Its Casinos — The Issue 4 Story
Arkansas has a long and complicated history with gambling. For most of the 20th century, the state maintained strict prohibitions on casino-style gaming. Horse racing at Oaklawn (Hot Springs) operated legally under a carveout that dated to the 1930s. The Southland greyhound track in West Memphis operated under a similar framework. But slots, table games, and full casino operations remained illegal — until voters changed that.
The 2018 Vote
On November 6, 2018, Arkansas voters approved Issue 4 — officially titled "An Amendment to the Arkansas Constitution Authorizing Casino Gambling." The amendment passed with approximately 54% of the vote and added Article 19, Section 33 to the Arkansas Constitution. Issue 4 accomplished three things:
- Authorized four casino licenses: One each in Garland County (Hot Springs), Crittenden County (West Memphis), Jefferson County (Pine Bluff), and Pope County (Russellville).
- Expanded existing facilities: Oaklawn and Southland — already licensed for racing — were immediately authorized to add full casino floors.
- Legalized sports betting: Authorized sports wagering at licensed casino facilities, regulated by the Arkansas Racing Commission.
Regulator: Arkansas Racing Commission (ARC)
Licensing authority: ARC issues casino operating licenses
Sports betting regulator: ARC
The Four Licenses — Where Things Stand
- ✅Garland County (Hot Springs): Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort — operating since 2019
- ✅Crittenden County (West Memphis): Southland Casino Hotel — operating since 2019
- ✅Jefferson County (Pine Bluff): Saracen Casino Resort — opened 2019 (temporary), full resort 2022
- ⏳Pope County (Russellville): Cherokee Nation Businesses — license awarded, but the Pope County casino has faced sustained legal and political opposition from local officials and has not yet opened as of 2026. Multiple court battles have delayed the project. Status: pending/disputed.
Arkansas's Casino Resorts — Complete Property Guide
Saracen Casino Resort
📍 1 Saracen Resort Dr, Pine Bluff, AR 71601 | ~45 min south of Little Rock via I-530
The story: Saracen Casino Resort is the crown jewel of Arkansas gaming and one of the most impressive new casino developments in the American South. Operated by the Quapaw Nation — a federally recognized Oklahoma tribe that won the Jefferson County license under Issue 4 — Saracen opened a temporary casino in 2019 and unveiled its full AAA Four Diamond resort in 2022. The property sits along the Arkansas River and represents a generational investment in the Pine Bluff community.
- Gaming floor: ~130,000 sq ft | Slots: 2,100+ | Table games: 90+ | High-limit room: Yes
- Hotel: AAA Four Diamond | 300+ rooms | Full spa | Indoor pool
- Dining: Multiple full-service restaurants and bars | Live entertainment venue
- Sports betting: BetSaracen app (statewide) + retail sportsbook
Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort
📍 2705 Central Ave, Hot Springs, AR 71901 | Downtown Hot Springs / 55 miles southwest of Little Rock
The story: Oaklawn is Arkansas's oldest and most beloved gaming institution. Horse racing has run at this track since 1905 — it's one of America's great historic racetracks. Issue 4 transformed Oaklawn from a racing-only venue into a full casino resort. Churchill Downs Inc. (the same company behind Churchill Downs in Louisville) owns and operates Oaklawn. A major renovation and expansion added slots, full table games, and a new hotel tower, making Oaklawn the anchor of a Hot Springs gaming and tourism weekend.
- Racing: Live thoroughbred racing January–April meet | Simulcast year-round
- Gaming floor: Slots: 1,400+ | Table games: 60+ | Poker room: Yes
- Hotel: On-site hotel with multiple towers | Multiple restaurants | Spa
- Sports betting: Oaklawn Sports app + retail | Available on property and statewide
Southland Casino Hotel
📍 1550 N Ingram Blvd, West Memphis, AR 72301 | Directly across the Mississippi River from Memphis, TN
The story: Southland has been the Memphis area's gaming destination since it operated as Southland Greyhound Park. Delaware North — a major global hospitality company — operates the property. Issue 4 authorized Southland to add a full casino floor alongside its existing racing operations, transforming it into a legitimate casino resort. Its location directly off I-55 at the Mississippi River border makes it the most accessible casino for the greater Memphis metropolitan area (population 1.3 million).
- Gaming floor: Slots: 2,200+ | Table games: 75+ | Poker room: Yes
- Hotel: On-site hotel | Multiple dining options | Entertainment venue
- Sports betting: Retail sportsbook + statewide mobile access
Pope County Casino (Future)
📍 Russellville, AR (Pope County) — Status: Pending / Legal Dispute
The story: The fourth Issue 4 license was awarded to Cherokee Nation Businesses for a proposed casino in Russellville, the seat of Pope County in western Arkansas. The Cherokee Nation — one of the largest federally recognized tribes in the US and operators of major gaming facilities in Oklahoma — invested heavily in the licensing process and proposed a full resort development. However, Pope County local officials and a significant portion of the local population mounted sustained opposition, resulting in years of legal battles and political challenges. As of 2026, the Pope County casino had not opened and the situation remained unresolved. We will update this page when the status changes.
Arkansas Casino Regions
Central Arkansas / Pine Bluff Corridor
Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Bluff anchors the central corridor, sitting 45 miles south of Little Rock on I-530. Little Rock residents have a straightforward casino weekend option without leaving the state. The Arkansas River valley setting and AAA Four Diamond property make this the premier Arkansas casino experience.
- Key venue: Saracen Casino Resort
- Drive times: Little Rock: 45 min | Memphis: 2 hrs | Dallas: 5 hrs
Hot Springs / Ouachita Mountains
Hot Springs is one of Arkansas's great tourism destinations independent of gaming — a national park town built on thermal springs with a gorgeous historic downtown. Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort transforms a Hot Springs visit into a full gaming-plus-destination experience. Bathhouse Row, the historic Gangster Museum, Lake Hamilton, and the natural thermal spas are all within a few miles of the casino.
- Key venue: Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort
- Drive times: Little Rock: 55 min | Tulsa: 3 hrs | Dallas: 4.5 hrs
West Memphis / Memphis Gateway
Southland Casino Hotel in West Memphis is geographically part of the Memphis metropolitan area. From downtown Memphis, it's a straight shot across the I-55 bridge — five minutes door to door. With no casinos inside Tennessee's borders, Southland serves a massive pent-up demand from the Memphis metro's 1.3 million residents. Mississippi's Tunica casino strip is 45 minutes south, offering additional options for Memphis-area visitors.
- Key venue: Southland Casino Hotel
- Drive times: Downtown Memphis: 5 min | Jackson TN: 1.5 hrs | Little Rock: 2 hrs
- Cross-border note: Tunica, MS (Horseshoe Tunica, 1st Jackpot, Gold Strike) — 45 min south of Memphis
Western Arkansas / River Valley (Future)
The Arkansas River Valley anchors western Arkansas, with Russellville as its center. This region awaits the proposed Pope County casino (Cherokee Nation Businesses), which has been delayed by legal challenges. Fort Smith, the second-largest city in Arkansas, sits on the Oklahoma border — just 45 minutes from Oklahoma's dense tribal gaming corridor.
- Future venue: Pope County Casino (Russellville — not yet open)
- Cross-border note: Oklahoma tribal gaming corridor begins at the AR state line
Legal Sports Betting in Arkansas — Full Guide
Sports betting was authorized by Issue 4 in 2018 and launched at retail locations in 2019. Mobile/online statewide betting expanded in 2022, making Arkansas one of the mid-South's leading sports betting markets. Here's everything you need to know:
Key Facts
- ✅ Retail sports betting: Available at all 3 operating casinos
- ✅ Mobile/online statewide: Launched 2022 via licensed operators
- ✅ Min age: 21
- 🏛️ Regulator: Arkansas Racing Commission (ARC)
- 💰 Tax rate: 13% on gross gaming revenue (mobile); 13% (retail)
- 📱 No in-person registration required for mobile
Sports Betting Apps in Arkansas
Oaklawn's Thoroughbred Racing Season
Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort hosts one of the most respected thoroughbred meets in the American South. The annual January–April meet draws major stakes horses and top jockeys and includes several key Kentucky Derby prep races.
Simulcast betting: Year-round simulcast wagering on races nationwide is available at Oaklawn and all Arkansas licensed OTB locations.
Full Oaklawn Racing CalendarBefore & After: How Issue 4 Transformed Arkansas
To understand how remarkable Arkansas's casino transformation has been, consider where the state stood in 2017: zero casino floors, zero slot machines, zero table games, zero legal sports betting. By 2023, Arkansas had three world-class casino resorts, 5,000+ gaming positions, and statewide mobile sports betting. Here's how it happened:
Arkansas gaming limited to horse racing (Oaklawn) and greyhound racing (Southland) — no slots, no table games
Issue 4 passes with ~54% of vote — constitutional amendment authorizing casino gambling
Oaklawn adds casino floor (slots + table games); Southland adds casino floor; Saracen opens temporary casino in Pine Bluff
Retail sports betting launches at licensed facilities
COVID delays full resort construction; temporary operations continue
Saracen Casino Resort full AAA Four Diamond property opens; mobile sports betting launches statewide
Continued expansion; Pope County license remains disputed
The economic impact
In its first full fiscal year, Arkansas casino gaming generated over $500 million in gross gaming revenue — an economic contribution that reshaped Pine Bluff (one of Arkansas's most economically challenged cities), revitalized the Hot Springs gaming corridor, and created thousands of direct and indirect jobs.
The Quapaw Nation's Saracen investment
The Quapaw Nation — headquartered in Miami, Oklahoma — invested over $450 million in the Saracen Casino Resort, making it one of the largest private economic developments in Arkansas history. For Pine Bluff, a city that had experienced decades of economic decline, Saracen represented a transformational investment. The property brought hundreds of full-time jobs with benefits and became a catalyst for broader downtown revitalization.
Beyond Arkansas — Regional Casino Options
Oklahoma Tribal Gaming (Western Arkansas)
Oklahoma has the second-largest tribal gaming market in America with 135+ casino operations. From Fort Smith, the Oklahoma border is minutes away — Cherokee Casino Fort Gibson, Choctaw Casino Grant, and dozens of other tribal properties are a short drive. WinStar World Casino & Resort (the largest casino floor in the US) is 3.5 hours from Little Rock.
Mississippi / Tunica (Memphis Corridor)
For West Memphis-area visitors, Mississippi's Tunica casino strip sits 45 minutes south of Memphis. Horseshoe Tunica, 1st Jackpot Casino, and Gold Strike Casino anchor a destination strip along the Mississippi River. Biloxi's Gulf Coast casino corridor (Beau Rivage, Hard Rock Biloxi, IP Casino) is a 5-hour drive.
Missouri (Northern Arkansas)
Missouri's casino market stretches along the Missouri River from Kansas City to St. Louis, with additional properties in Lake of the Ozarks and the Caruthersville area (near the AR/MO bootheel). Isle Casino Cape Girardeau anchors southeast Missouri.
Louisiana (Southern Arkansas)
Louisiana's casino market includes four land-based casinos near Shreveport/Bossier City (3 hours from Little Rock), Harrah's New Orleans, and numerous riverboat casinos statewide. L'Auberge Lake Charles is a premier Gulf South destination resort.
Planning Your Arkansas Casino Visit
1. Saracen = best overall resort experience
2. Oaklawn in racing season = unmissable
3. Southland for Memphis locals
4. Min age is 21
5. Hot Springs is a full weekend
6. Mobile sports betting is statewide
Play Responsibly in Arkansas
Arkansas casino gaming is regulated by the Arkansas Racing Commission (ARC). Problem gambling resources are available 24/7 for Arkansas residents. If you or someone you know needs help:
Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-522-4700
National Council on Problem Gambling: ncpgambling.org
Responsible gambling principles:
- Set a budget before you play — and keep it
- Never chase losses
- Gambling is entertainment, not a financial strategy
- Must be 21+ to gamble at Arkansas casino facilities
- Use deposit limits and cooling-off periods on sports betting apps
Self-exclusion:
Arkansas offers voluntary self-exclusion programs administered through the Arkansas Racing Commission and each licensed casino. Contact the ARC or your casino directly for enrollment.