PINE BLUFF (KATV) — Saracen Casino Hotel in Pine Bluff is making headlines as it continues to transform the local economy and community.

Since its opening in 2020, the Saracen Casino has rapidly become a significant contributor to the region’s economic growth, and the upcoming hotel project, set to open in fall 2025, is anticipated to attract even more visitors.

“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,” says CMO, Carlton Saffa.

With a state-of-the-art gaming facility and a variety of dining options, the casino has attracted visitors from across the state and beyond.

The only thing they say was missing was a hotel.

“The hotel provides another amenity for folks who like our non-gaming offerings. But it also will mean more folks coming from out of state.”

Since its inception, the Saracen Casino says they have invested half a billion dollars in Pine Bluff, and anticipating more with the hotel.

“So, unquestionably, what will happen with the opening of the hotel is it will greatly expand the radius of our regular customers. Because, when you can stay the night, it just makes that much more sense to come to Saracen.”

The new hotel is set to rise 15 stories high, include an event center with a capacity of 1,600 people, and feature 320 rooms, nearly half of which will be suites.

This development is anticipated to attract visitors from across multiple states, as it will provide them with a convenient place to stay.

“Folks who literally drive past casinos to come to ours. There’s not greater compliment than that. When someone drives an hour or two, from north Louisiana from southwest Mississippi to come to us. It means they like what we’re offering.”

With a little more than a week left until Election Day, and issue two still being voted on, Saffa says he is grateful the people of Pine Bluff have accepted the casino welcomingly.

“It’s a stark contrast. Pine Bluff has welcomed us with open arms and we’re brought five hundred million dollars in capital investment. Nearly a thousand jobs. And to this day, I think you still have neighbors divided in Russellville. It is amazing how an issue can be so divisive. In Pine Bluff, it’s been so uniting.”

The Saracen Casino Hotel’s top beam will be hung tomorrow.

They look forward with plans for even more community involvement and greater growth for the city of Pine Bluff with the completion of the project.