A Pine Bluff casino has donated heavily to political action committees around the state ahead of the 2024 election, according to state financial disclosure reports.
Political action committees — or PACs — typically work to elect or defeat candidates for public office. They can do that by donating to candidates’ campaigns, by giving to political parties, by running their own independent campaigns for or against candidates, and by issuing public endorsements for certain candidates.
Saracen Casino in Pine Bluff is one of three casinos authorized under Amendment 100. The casino is owned by the Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma, and it has operated in Jefferson County since 2019.
According to reports filed with the Arkansas Secretary of State, this year Saracen Casino has given $45,000 total to the following political action committees:
- $10,000 to the Build Strengthen & Empower PAC
- $10,000 to the Associated Industries of Arkansas PAC
- $10,000 to the Businesses for Justice PAC
- $10,000 to the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce PAC
- $5,000 to the Arkansas Wins PAC
Some of these PACs accept donations from many different people and companies, but in each case Saracen Casino appears to be among the PAC’s largest donors.
The money that these PACs receive is generally donated to other political action committees or to specific candidates running for office in Arkansas.
Saracen is not the only casino making political contributions, but so far they are the largest donor.
Oaklawn Casino in Hot Springs has donated only $12,500 to political campaigns this year, and Delaware North Companies that owns Southland Casino in West Memphis has only donated $5,000 for 2024.
Casino gambling is big business, and the companies that profit from it have a lot of money at their disposal for lobbying and political campaigns.
For example, Saracen Casino in Pine Bluff has pushed for a public policy change that would permit casino-style gambling statewide on any smart phone or mobile device. Family Council believes casino interests could lobby for this kind of digital gambling during the coming legislative session.
It’s worth pointing out the Arkansas Problem Gambling Council has seen a 22% increase in calls for help with problem gambling this year — a spike largely driven by sports betting.
As powerful corporations try to make gambling part of everyday life, it is important for Arkansas to protect citizens and families from predatory gambling.
Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.
