Saracen Casino Resort is not only exceeding expectations in the gambling and hospitality industry but also proving a monumental force in the economic revitalization of Jefferson County, according to a recent economic impact analysis.
Chief Marketing Officer Carlton Saffa, the first employee at Saracen and a key figure in the resort’s success, highlighted the staggering figures and the positive changes sweeping through Pine Bluff during a recent address at the Pine Bluff City Council meeting on Monday.
The economic impact analysis, conducted by Boyette Strategic Advisors, a renowned economic development consulting firm, shows Saracen contributes $236 million annually to the local economy. This figure, as Saffa emphasized, represents the payroll and a standard turnover within the community. Since its inception in October 2019, Saracen has had a total economic impact of $2.1 billion on Jefferson County.
“I had to read it twice,” Saffa stated, expressing his humble disbelief at the sheer scale of the numbers. “I’m humbled. I don’t believe the numbers, although I know they’re true and from the best experts there are,” he said. “I’m going to say it again: $2.1 billion. And I don’t know what to do but smile. I hope you feel the same, and I know the best is yet to come.”
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
[DOCUMENT: Read Saracen Economic Impact Analysis » pbcommercial.com/86saracenimpact/]
Saffa highlighted Saracen’s dedication to Pine Bluff, pointing out that the Quapaw Nation, the casino’s owners and operators, secured a loan to invest more than a half-billion dollars in the project. This investment, which will surpass $650 billion upon completion, represents the largest single hospitality and tourism investment in Arkansas’ history.
Since opening in October 2020, Saracen Casino Resort has already made a significant economic impact, generating over $2.1 billion in Jefferson County and nearly $3 billion in a region including Jefferson, Desha, Grant, Lincoln, Pulaski and Saline counties, according to the report. This includes contributions to the gross regional product of $1.1 billion for Jefferson County and $1.6 billion for the broader region. The casino has also created substantial labor income, totaling $460 million in Jefferson County and $777 million in the six-county area.
The casino currently employs more than 750 individuals, with 70% of its workforce residing in Jefferson County. Saffa notes that the vast majority live in Pine Bluff. Employment at Saracen has supported 1,190 jobs in Jefferson County and 1,621 jobs in the six-county region since 2020. With the upcoming expansion, Saracen will add 260 new jobs, bringing its total employment beyond 1,000. This growth is expected to create an additional 250 indirect and induced jobs in Jefferson County and 570 in the six-county region.
Saracen Casino Resort is undergoing a $250 million expansion, set to open in fall 2025. The project includes a 320-room luxury hotel and a multiuse event center capable of hosting 1,600 guests for concerts or 900 for banquets. Saffa said half of the rooms in the highly anticipated hotel will be suites. Saffa also described the luxurious accommodations, including quartz, marble, terrazzo floors and a 15,000-pound chandelier.
He anticipates a soft opening with 100-150 rooms by the end of the year, with the full hotel completed in the first quarter of next year. The hotel lobby will also feature a Starbucks and a Sissy’s Log Cabin store.
The event center with a permanent stage is promised to bring high-caliber musical acts and A-list performances that typically travel to larger cities, like Dallas or Memphis. The event center will also feature spaces that may be partitioned for diverse events, from galas to exhibitions, according to Saffa.
Upon completion, the resort will span nearly 1 million square feet. The expansion is projected to generate a total impact of $309 million in Jefferson County and $426 million in the six-county region, including increases in labor income and state and local tax revenues.
Saracen Casino Resort has been a major contributor to state and local tax revenues, according to Saffa. From 2020 to 2024, the Casino generated $262 million in taxes for Jefferson County and $299 million for the six-county region. The expansion is expected to add nearly $16 million in annual tax revenue for Jefferson County and $20 million for the six-county area. Gambling taxes alone have totaled $96.5 million over the past five years.
Saracen’s commitment to excellence extends beyond gaming. Saracen Casino Resort has become a hub for tourism, attracting visitors from across Arkansas and beyond, according to Saffa. Its four top-rated restaurants, including the award-winning Red Oak Steakhouse, have garnered statewide acclaim, further boosting local tourism. According to Saffa, the casino’s customer base primarily comes from the greater Little Rock area.
Saffa also says Pine Bluff is now home to America’s 13th-largest sportsbook and Arkansas’ best restaurant, Red Oak. Red Oak also boasts a 10,000-bottle wine cellar, recognized by Wine Spectator with the highest Award of Excellence.
Saffa explained how Pine Bluff, once a challenger, now eclipses competitors that have been in the market for over a century. “And we’ve done it in just five,” Saffa proudly proclaimed, referring to the resort’s relatively short time in operation.
With its expansion, Saracen Casino Resort is set to further enhance its economic contributions, creating jobs, increasing tax revenues and boosting tourism. The resort’s annual employment impact is projected to reach $237 million in Jefferson County and $298 million in the six-county region, ensuring its continued role as a vital economic engine for the area.
The casino’s financial contributions to the city are substantial. Saracen has paid approximately $1 million in advertising and promotion taxes, playing a crucial role in spreading the message about Pine Bluff. Since its inception, Saracen has paid over $23 million in gambling taxes alone to the city of Pine Bluff, in addition to sales and property taxes.
“It is a privilege to pay taxes when your business is doing well,” Saffa stated. “It is a privilege to do business in the city of progress.”
Despite its success, Saracen is also focused on changing perceptions. Saffa noted that roughly 70% of their business comes from Little Rock, and there’s a need to educate people on the short 46-mile proximity between the two cities.
Saffa concluded by explaining that as Saracen continues to expand its offerings and solidify its presence, its impact on Pine Bluff and Jefferson County will only continue to grow, ushering in a new era of prosperity for the region.
