LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — (KTHV/AP) - The Arkansas Racing Commission has approved full casino licenses for a Hot Springs horse-racing track and a greyhound track in eastern Arkansas.
On Saturday, the commission unanimously approved requests from Oaklawn Racing and Gaming in Hot Springs and Southland Park Gaming and Racing in West Memphis to begin casino gaming operations on April 1.
“We're very excited. This starts a new chapter in Oaklawn's life,” said Louis Cella, Oaklawn Jockey Club president.
Cella said the transition from electronic to live table games will take about three months and will start on April 1 with the addition of Craps and conversion of Blackjack from electronic tables to live dealers.
“Racing's first,” Cella said. “That's who we are. That's what we do, and if we're able to expand our racing program -- and continue to increase purses because of this additional gaming -- that's what we're going to do,” he said.
Oaklawn hopes to have its sports book open by the end of April, according to Cella.
Meanwhile, the sports book at Southland should open in late May or early June, according to David Wolf, the track’s president and general manager. He said the switch to live table games will come even sooner.
“We plan on going April 1 -- we're going to have 40 live table games: Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, and what we call carnival games,” Wolf said.
The State Racing Commission will accept applications in May for a casino in Jefferson County and another in Pope County.
Voters approved an amendment to the state's constitution last year allowing for the two current tracks to expand to full casinos and for two additional casinos to be built.