| Location | West Memphis, Arkansas |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 35°09′49″N90°09′38″W / 35.163704°N 90.160417°WCoordinates: 35°09′49″N90°09′38″W / 35.163704°N 90.160417°W |
| Owned by | Delaware North |
| Date opened | 1956 |
| Official website | |
Southland Casino Racing, formally Southland Park Gaming and Racing, is a casino, buffet, and greyhound racetrack in West Memphis, Arkansas. 6,656 greyhound races took place at the Park in 2019. Simulcastthoroughbred and greyhound races from other tracks around the United States are also offered. After years of low attendance, Southland Park has regained popularity because neighboring casinos in Tunica, Mississippi experienced devastating floods 2011. In 2014, it was announced that Southland was to undergo a nearly $38 million expansion and renovation. It is one of the most visited attractions in Arkansas and the city of West Memphis.
Casino Surprise Yourself with over 80,000 square feet of gaming action at Southland Casino Racing! With more than 2,000 of the Mid-South’s hottest slots, your winning machine awaits. Enjoy the newest available slot titles on the market, or take a spin on classic favorites like Blazing 7s, Wheel of Fortune, and Double Diamonds. For more than 60 years Southland Park has provided the thrill of pulse-pounding excitement for generations of Mid-Southerners. Today, Southland is still a sure bet for fun. From the adrenaline rush of live racing and gaming action to the delicious dining choices, Southland Park delivers! Partial Data by Infogroup (c) 2020. Southland has really grown since I first visited there in the early 80's.They have a huge casino with a great variety of table games and slots. The casino floor is very clean and the slot selection in.
History[edit]
Southland Park began as a dog racing track in 1956. At its opening in 1956, Southland became Arkansas's only greyhound racetrack, following in the tradition of the earlier Riverside Kennel Club, which was the first greyhound track in West Memphis. Riverside had been located at the Arkansas end of the Mississippi River bridge between West Memphis and Memphis, Tennessee, and proved to be a popular diversion. Based on that popularity, Southland was established after the demise of Riverside. Originally owned by the Upton family and other individuals, Southland was purchased by Delaware North Companies, Inc., based in Buffalo, New York, in the early 1970s. In 2019, it was announced that greyhound racing would cease at Southland by December 2022.
Casino[edit]
The state of Arkansas does not use traditional slot machines, all games offered are 'electronic games of skill' which is defined by section 10.17 of the Final Rules of the Arkansas Racing Commission Regulations for Franchise Holders Operating Electronic Games of skill as 'game(s) played through any electronic device or machine that affords an opportunity for the exercise of skill or judgment where the outcome is not completely controlled by chancealone.' [1]
Previously, the state of Arkansas did not permit live table games, but Southland Park did have electronic versions of Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, Three Card Poker, Ultimate Texas Hold'em and Mississippi Stud; as of April 1, 2019, however, Southland has live versions of Blackjack, Craps, and other games.
References[edit]
- ^Final Rules of the Arkansas Racing Commission Regulations for Franchise Holders Operating Electronic Games of skill
External links[edit]
Southland Casino Racing, located just over the Tennessee border in West Memphis, Arkansas, has officially launched sports betting inside its facility.
This will be the third casino in the state to offer any form of wagering on athletic games.
Southland Casino Buffet
Sports betting returns to Southland Casino Racing
Southland had a soft sports betting launch at the beginning of 2020. This sportsbook re-launch reveals the renovated face of sports betting in the casino.
The new on-site Betly sportsbook is located within the casino’s Sports Bar & Grill. Another sportsbook is located on the second level racing mezzanine.
Additionally, the casino has placed Betly betting kiosks in a handful of locations around the casino.
Sports betting contributes to the range of gaming and hospitality options Southland has to offer. Delaware North, Southland Casino Racing’s parent company, expects this new gaming addition to introduce a new audience to the casino.
Patrons of the casino can place bets on a variety of sports such as:
- Football
- Basketball
- Golf
- Boxing
- Mixed Martial Arts
- Auto Racing
Back in January, Delaware North and International Gaming Technology (IGT) signed a multistate sports betting agreement. As a result, IGT powers the Betly sportsbook and kiosks within the casino.
Betly kiosks can be used anytime the casino is open from 9 a.m. to 5 a.m. In addition, the on-site sportsbook provides agent and teller services along with betting voucher redemption.
Southland Casino In West Memphis Ar
On-property teller window hours are as follows:
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday, Thursday & Friday | 11am - 9pm |
| Saturday | 10am - 9pm |
| Sunday | 9am - 10pm |
Services and voucher redemption is also available at the second level racing mezzanine on Tuesday and Wednesday from 11 a.m.to 9 p.m.
Southland Casino Racing’s $250 million expansion project
An amendment to the Arkansas Constitutionwas approved in November 2018 by voters.
With this, Arkansas casinos were able to expand into full-size casinos and offer sports betting.
The addition of sports betting is one of the first features of Southland’s current $250 million expansion.
Expansion projects also include:
Southland Casino And Racetrack
- Larger gambling areas
- Multistory hotels
- New casino complexes
- Live greyhound racing
The other two Arkansas casinos that offer sports betting have seen impressive results. According to an Arkansas Racing Commission report, Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort’s sportsbook handle during their first month of sports betting operations totaled just over $416,000.
After the first month of sports betting at Saracen Casino Resort, their handle totaled over $284,000.
As of now, Arkansas has six total casinos. The state is positioned to have two more in the somewhat near future.
A gambling license was issued to Gulfside Casino Partnership for Pope County in early 2020, though construction has not yet begun. A casino in Jefferson County will likely follow soon after.
COVID-19 restrictions within the casino
Southland temporarily shut down in March due to COVID-19. The casino was able to reopen in May after agreeing to follow new guidelines.
The casino now functions at a third of its regular capacity. Additionally, a safety plan to limit the spread of coronavirus has been approved by the Arkansas Department of Health.
Southland and its new sportsbook operate under Delaware North’s “Play it Safe” health and safety program. The program lists guidelines for keeping guests and employees safe.
Southland Casino Reopening
In particular, patrons will have their temperaturetaken when entering the building. All patrons and employees must also wear a face mask. This is why the facility does not currently allow smoking.
A new slot machine arrangement allows for guests to maintain a six-foot distance from others. Cleaning crews will sanitize slot machines between players. In addition, hand sanitizing stations are located throughout the gambling floor.
Southland Casino Jobs
Betting on sports in West Memphis, Arkansas
Southland Casino Buffet
Betly sportsbook officially opened at the casino on Sept. 5. The re-launch comes just before the start of football season, which will offer ample betting opportunities for patrons.
Sports betting is set to go live in Tennessee by Nov. 1. Until then, residents in West Tennessee can make a quick trip across the border into Arkansas to wager on upcoming games.