Land Based Arkansas

Arkansas is a land-locked US state in the south with a rich history and a varied terrain. It is known for its natural wonders such as Hot Springs National Park, Buffalo National River and the Ozarks and Ouachita Mountains.

Up until quite recently, there were no casinos in Arkansas at all. But in November 2018 Arkansas voters approved a constitutional amendment to allow casinos for the first time. Licenses were approved in four locations and, as it stands today, there are three casinos in operation.

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Arkansas Land-Based Casino Operators

The three casinos in Arkansas all have different owners, and none are the big name casino operators that you might be familiar with.

• The Quapaw Nation – own Saracen Casino in Pine Bluff. The tribe also own two other casinos, namely the Quapaw Casino in Miami, Oklahoma and the Downstream Casino Resort in Quapaw, Oklahoma
• Louis Cella – private fourth-generation owner and president of Oaklawn Park Racing Casino Resort in Hot Springs
• Delaware North – a privately owned hospitality and catering company based in Buffalo, New York own Southlands Casino Resort in West Memphis. They also own a series of casinos in eight US states and one in Australia. 

A fourth casino license was awarded to Cherokee Nation Entertainment in June 2024 to build the Legends Resort Casino Arkansas In Russellville, Pope County.  However, the approval was then revoked forcing the county to restart the casino selection process once again. At the time of writing, this process is still ongoing. 

Arkansas Casino Resorts 

So, what can you expect from the three casinos in Arkansas, let’s take a closer look.

• Saracen Casino – Located 40 minutes’ drive from Little Rock, this 80,000 square foot casino has over 1,600 slots, 40 live table games and a poker room. Guests can enjoy one of three on-site restaurants, a sports bar, sportsbook and take advantage of the regular player promotions by joining the rewards club.
• Oaklawn Park – A thoroughbred racetrack, casino, hotel, dining and entertainment venue in Hot Springs. Guests can make full use of the hotel and its amenities such as a pool and spa, or choose from multiple bars and restaurants serving everything from fine dining to quick eats and live music too. The casino has over 1,400 slots, electronic table games and 30 live table games including roulette, blackjack, craps, and lots of poker pit games
• Southlands Casino Resort – A modern casino resort that underwent $320 million development in 2022. Southlands Casino is located close to iconic Memphis attractions and features a luxury hotel, fitness center, multiple restaurants and bars. The 113,000 square foot gaming floor has 2,400 slot machines, 50 live table games, a sportsbook and high limit gaming too.

More Than Gambling

So, what else is there to see and do in Arkansas? Here’s our top tips: 

• Explore Natural Beauty – Arkansas is full of spectacular sights such as Hot Springs National Park, Ozark Mountains, Buffalo National River and Crater of Diamonds State Park – make sure you get out and about to take it all in.
• Outdoor Adventures – The landscape of Arkansas lends itself to excellent outdoor activities including hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking and fishing to name a few
• Attractions – Magic Springs Theme and Water Park offers rides, water slides and entertainment for all the family. The Arkansas Air and Military Museum is a fun place to visit if you like old aircraft and exhibits. Alternatively, Blanchard Springs Caverns, in the Ozarks, is a beautiful show cave system with guided tours 
• Food and Festivals  – Try some Arkansas cuisine like southern barbeque or fried  catfish or visit one of the many farmers markets for fresh produce. There’s also a series of annual festivals such as Arkansas State Fair, Little Rock River Market or Ozark Folk Festival where you can really soak up the local culture. 

Important Considerations

In Arkansas you need to be 21 or over to enter a casino. It is always advisable to bring photographic ID with you on entry.