Downstream chosen as casino operator for Jefferson County

Downstream chosen as casino operator for Jefferson County

PINE BLUFF – Local leaders in Jefferson County and Pine Bluff have selected Downstream Development Authority, owner and operator of Downstream Casino Resort, as their casino operator pursuant to their authority under Amendment 100 of the Arkansas Constitution.

The amendment protects local control and provides that local leaders may select, through a letter of support, who applies for a casino license in their community.

John Berrey, chairman of Downstream and the Quapaw Nation, said, “It has long been our goal to energize Pine Bluff and Jefferson County through a significant economic investment. 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.”

Arkansas voters, by a 54 percent to 46 percent margin, approved Issue 4 last month. The new constitutional amendment grants casino licenses to existing Arkansas institutions Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs and Southland Park in West Memphis, and it provides for new licenses to be granted in Jefferson and Pope counties.

The Arkansas Racing Commission is required to promulgate rules for the state’s new casino gaming structure by no later than March 14.

Downstream already operates two casinos, both in Oklahoma. According to Berrey, Pine Bluff’s Saracen Casino Resort could open by late 2019 pending regulatory approval.

Dreaming of a

Wet Christmas?

LITTLE ROCK – Santa may need to turn on his windshield wipers as he prepares to delivers toys to all the good boys and girls across the Natural State this Christmas Eve. Forecasters have pegged the wee morning hours on Christmas morning with a 40 to 60 percent chance of rain across most of Arkansas, especially in central and northwest parts of the state. Temperatures are expected to remain in the mid-50s for much of the week, with night-time lows in the mid-40s. Christmas Day is projected to see moslty sunny skies by midday, with the next chance of rain on Thursday or Friday.