Oklahoma Tribe to Operate Arkansas Casino

Arkansas officials have selected The Downstream Development Company belonging to Oklahoma's Quapaw Tribe to construct and then lead business in a new casino in Jefferson County.

Booker Clemons, Jefferson County Judge and Shirley Washington, Pine Bluff Mayor, have sent a letter to the Tribe in which they expressed their support to the project. They cited Tribe's sincere wish and commitment to invest in this region as a main reason for their decision.

Mayor Washington wrote: “I’ve been impressed by the professionalism and loyalty to our community that I’ve seen from Downstream and the Quapaw Nation. It’s clear that Downstream wants to be a key partner in the growth and development of our city.”

Historical Ties

Judge Clemons added that Downstream – operator of Downstream Casino Resort - has longstanding historical ties to the state of Arkansas and this region as well as its community and that he is glad he is able to offer his support.

“The voters of Jefferson County overwhelmingly expressed their support for this amendment. They recognize, like I do, that our county will benefit from the positive economic impact Downstream Development Authority will provide to us,” he said.

The exact location of the casino to be constructed is not yet known, but will be revealed in due time...

...as Quapaw Tribe Chairman John Berry promises to have his tribesmen working hard on the Arkansas casino project. The construction should begin in June 2019 and the targeted year of the opening is 2020.

Getting Right To it Fast

Arkansas acts quickly on measures that were adopted during the November's mid-term elections (with a 54.1% of votes in favor) when the state's voters approved Issue 4 Amendment which will allow state lawmakers to grant licenses for construction of four casinos.

The other three regions which will get their land-based gambling facilities beside Jefferson County are Pope County, Oaklawn horse racetrack in Hot Springs and Southland pari-mutuel facility at West Memphis.

These four casinos could generate a much-needed income surplus for Arkansas: the gross gambling revenue tax will be 13% for gain up to $150 million and 20% for anything above that. Authorities estimate that, on a yearly level, around $120 million in taxes could be raked in.

55% of that would be collected by the state, 19.5% by the city where the casino is located, 8% by the host county and 17.5% by Arkansas Racing Commission.

A Source of Pride

John Berry of Quapaw Nation Tribe and Downstream Development Company says that it has been Tribe's goal to energize Pine Bluff and Jefferson County through “significant economic investment,” and added:

“As the original homeland for the Quapaw Nation, we believe we have an obligation to the region to be good corporate citizens. This casino resort will be a source of pride for the community. It will create hundreds of jobs and generate millions of dollars in taxes that will help improve the city's and county’s infrastructure and quality of life.”

Source:

“Quapaw Nation chosen as casino operator for Jefferson Country”, thv11.com, December 3, 2018.