Casino construction underway

PINE BLUFF — Construction is underway on the $350 million Saracen Casino Resort in Jefferson County that local and state officials are expressing confidence will result in an economic boom for the financially depressed county. Jefferson County is one of four locations that were authorized for a casino by Amendment 100.

Passed overwhelmingly in the state last year, Amendment 100 allows casinos to be placed in Pope and Jefferson counties — which currently have no gambling facilities — and allows Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in Hot Springs and Southland Gaming and Racing in West Memphis to expand their operations into full-fledged casinos.

Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin, speaking at a groundbreaking ceremony Monday in Pine Bluff for the 80,000 square foot casino with attached 13-floor, 300-room hotel, called the construction project a boon for the region.

“This is a game changer for Pine Bluff and Jefferson County and will have an impact around the state of Arkansas,” Griffin said. “When people drive here, when people work here, when people come from out of state, they’re traveling all over the rest of Arkansas. This is going to have a far-reaching economic impact.”

Pine Bluff Mayor Shirley Washington agreed that the project has the potential to provide a considerable economic boost to the region, with estimates, she said, of tax revenues reaching an estimated $10 million annually flowing into city coffers from gambling proceeds.