The expansion of the Southland Casino Racing complex in West Memphis, Arkansas is expected to be completed in early 2021
Casino operator Delaware North has awarded the contract for the expansion of Southland Casino Racing in West Memphis, Arkansas to Mississippi-based construction company Roy Anderson Corp.
Established in the 1950s in Gulfport, Mississippi, Roy Anderson has significant previous experience in the construction of hotel and casino complexes. The company’s casino portfolio includes Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort and Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast in its home state as well as Margaritaville Resort and Casino in Louisiana.
Delaware North’s Southland Casino Racing (recently rebranded from Southland Park Gaming and Racing) was one of two Arkansas race tracks that were permitted to add full-scale casino gambling as part of the state’s casino expansion push. Both Southland and Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort went live with casino gambling early this month.
Delaware North has previously revealed that it would expand its existing property in line with the anticipated growth in the number of visitors. The expansion project includes additional gaming space, a 20-story, 300-room hotel, more food and beverage options, and a new covered garage.
Construction work is expected to begin immediately. Delaware North will invest approximately $200 million in private funds into the development scheme, it also became known.
More Details About the Planned Expansion
As mentioned earlier, the new hotel at Southland Casino Racing will feature 300 rooms in a 20-story tower. Of them, 216 will be standard rooms. There will also be 72 corner suites and 12 penthouse suites.
The expansion plan includes the addition of a new covered garage for 1,250 spaces. The casino complex of the property will occupy 240,000 square feet of total floor area and aside from expanded gambling options, it will feature a larger buffet, new and expanded steakhouse restaurants, a new food hall, a coffee shop, and a lounge for casino players.
Construction work is set to commence immediately and completion is anticipated in January 2021.
In addition to the launch of full-scale casino offering at Southland, Delaware North had also planned to add a sportsbook at the property. Back in March, the race track even advertised the opening of its BetLucky sports betting facility with posters saying ‘coming soon’ spread around the site.
However, news emerged later last month that Delaware North has decided to part ways with its sports betting partner Miomni Gaming. The UK-based provider of solutions for the betting industry powered the casino operator’s sports betting platform in West Virginia and was expected to power its Arkansas operations, as well.
Delaware North announced last week that it has filed a lawsuit against Miomni over the abrupt stop of sports betting in West Virginia. The company also stated that it has begun a search for a new wagering partner, but warned that this could take several months or even longer.
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