Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, marked a key phase in its hotel project with a topping-off ceremony, symbolizing the structural completion of the 14-story hotel set to open in fall 2025. This celebratory event saw local community members, officials from Saracen Casino, and construction crews gathering to witness the placement of the final steel beam, an achievement that moves the resort’s expansion one step closer to fruition.
The topping-off tradition, which highlights a building reaching its maximum height, marks the last stage of exterior construction for the hotel. Now, the focus shifts to the hotel’s interior, where complex and detailed work will commence. Wena Supernaw, Business Committee Chair for the Quapaw Nation, owners of the casino, remarked on the significance of this milestone: “That’s the final major exterior construction. And by that going up, it’s going to give us the opportunity to go inside and start working on the stuff that’s not so easy to see, and it takes a lot of time and care to be able to do that.”
Economic Promise and Community Support
Set to feature 320 rooms and a spacious event center with a capacity for 1,600 people, the hotel promises to attract more visitors to Pine Bluff, enhancing both local tourism and economic growth. The $500 million investment by the Quapaw Nation has already significantly impacted the area since Saracen Casino’s 2020 opening, contributing jobs and revitalizing the local economy. Carlton Saffa, Chief Market Officer at Saracen Casino Resort, cited by THV11/KTHV, noted that the hotel will serve as an additional draw, stating, “What we’re doing at Saracen, they like our product, they like our sports bar, they like our table games, they like our poker room, and they want more.”
Saffa elaborated on the expected influx of guests, especially from outside the immediate region. He pointed out that while 70% of Saracen’s employees live locally in Jefferson County, the majority of customers come from Little Rock and beyond. With the new hotel, those traveling longer distances will now have the option to extend their visits. “When you build a hotel, those folks who come from out of town, they stay and they stay overnight, and they spend more time with you,” he explained. This added convenience is anticipated to broaden Saracen’s reach, particularly for customers from nearby states like Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
A Symbol of Community Unity and Future Growth
Saracen Casino’s expansion has been warmly received by Pine Bluff’s local government and residents. Supernaw expressed gratitude for the support of local leaders, including Mayor Shirley Washington and members of the city council, stating, “Jefferson County has been so welcoming and supportive. Between the Mayor, the judge, state representatives, and the city council, they have been so kind and welcoming to us.”
The positive reception stands in contrast to other areas in Arkansas, where casino projects have faced significant community opposition. Saffa reflected on this contrast, noting that while other towns have experienced division over casino developments, Pine Bluff’s acceptance has been unified. He added, “Pine Bluff has welcomed us with open arms, and we’ve brought $500 million in capital investment, nearly a thousand jobs.”
