Quapaw Nation ready to break ground on commercial casino in Arkansas

Monday, February 25, 2019  

The Quapaw Nation is prepared to break ground this spring on a commercial gaming facility in Arkansas, The Pine Bluff Commercial reports.

Chairman John Berrey said the tribe is waiting on a license from the state. The goal would then be to open the Saracen Casino Resort in the city of Pine Bluff in less than a year.

“We want to help make Pine Bluff better,” Berrey told a meeting of the Pine Bluff Rotary Club, the paper reported. “We want to create a destination for people to come from outside Jefferson County.”

The facility would be located on ancestral land in the city. Chief Saracen, a leader of the Quapaw people, was laid to rest in Pine Bluff in 1832 at the age of 97.

Voters in Arkansas approved a casino in Jefferson County. The tribe was a primary backer of Issue 4, which appeared on the November 2018 ballot.

The tribe operates two casinos in Oklahoma, with one of those properties extending in the states of Kansas and Missouri.

Plans for Saracen Casino Resort underway (The Pine Bluff Commercial February 23, 2019)

Quapaw Nation reaches deal to sell land as it pursues casino in Arkansas (January 16, 2019)
Quapaw Nation awaits decision on gaming license in Arkansas (December 12, 2018)
Quapaw Nation wins endorsement to operate commercial casino in Arkansas (December 4, 2018)
Quapaw Nation moves forward with casino bid after victory at polls (November 8, 2018)
Cherokee Nation and Quapaw Tribe secure victory with gaming initiative (November 7, 2018)
Election Day: #NativeVote18 races to watch across the nation (November 6, 2018)
Cherokee Nation and Quapaw Tribe spend nearly $6 million on gaming campaign (October 31, 2018)
Cherokee Nation and Quapaw Tribe continue to donate big to campaign (October 16, 2018)
Tribes still need more signatures in push for casinos in Arkansas (July 26, 2018)
Cherokee Nation and Quapaw Tribe spend big on casino push in Arkansas (July 17, 2018)
Quapaw Tribe sees another setback with gaming bid in Arkansas (March 14, 2018)
Quapaw Tribe joins partnership to authorize up to three casinos in Arkansas (January 9, 2018)
Quapaw Tribe blames non-Indian track for opposition in Arkansas (March 4, 2016)
Quapaw Tribe seeks to acquire more ancestral land in Arkansas (February 18, 2016)
Quapaw Tribe hits snag in agreement for ancestral Arkansas land (January 21, 2016)
Quapaw Tribe works on agreement for ancestral Arkansas land (November 10, 2015)
Quapaw Tribe still vows no casino on ancestral land in Arkansas (November 3, 2015)
Quapaw Tribe still willing to sign no-casino pledge in Arkansas (August 31, 2015)