Arkansas: Southland Casino Hotel announces completion of $320 million expansion

Southland Casino Hotel in West Memphis, Arkansas, is celebrating the completion of a $320 million dollar expansion. The development adds a brand-new 300-room, 20-story hotel with 12 penthouse suites, and a 113,000-square-foot gaming floor that features 2,400 slot machines, 50 live table games, and a variety of bars and dining options.

The property also features sports betting and a new covered parking garage with over 1,400 spaces. Restaurants at Southland include The Kitchens – “a unique buffet experience,” Ignite Steakhouse, The Fry House, The Grind, Seasons Cafe and the Sports Bar & Grill – while new bars include the Chairman's Bar, Charred Oak Bourbon Bar and the Ignite Steakhouse Bar.

The three-year project completes the transformation of the one-time racetrack, which began with the addition of 750 gaming machines 16 years ago, into a full-fledged Las Vegas-style casino destination with a luxury hotel, explains Delaware North, owner and operator.

Along with Oaklawn in Hot Springs, Southland is benefiting from a 2018 state constitutional amendment that allowed the tracks to build and operate casinos. The transition to casino gambling coincided with the demise of Southland's dog racing industry.

"The Southland expansion is the culmination of a legacy project for Delaware North," said Delaware North CEO Lou Jacobs. "The completion puts Southland on the map as a true casino destination that will draw patrons from both near and far."

Southland Casino Hotel – just steps away from the new casino floor and new bars and restaurants – looks forward to not only serving local casino patrons but also guests from surrounding areas such as Memphis, Little Rock, Nashville, northern Alabama and St. Louis.

“Southland has been recognized by Memphis Tourism as a strong amenity for visitors to the Mid-South and famed Memphis attractions such as Graceland and Beale Street,” points out Delaware North, which operates a dozen gaming operations in the US and Australia.

Southland Casino Hotel is now led by a new president and general manager, Osi Imomoh. The executive early in his career served as Southland's food and beverage director before rising to successive casino general manager positions with Delaware North, including at Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack. His experience also includes Isle of Capri Casinos, the former Jumer's Casino & Hotel and Delaware North's Gaming Entertainment Management in Illinois.

The expansion completion, which Southland claims turns the property into “the premier Mid-South casino destination,” culminates with a partnership with Pepsi for a "New Year, New Ride" contest with $250,000 in prizes, including the grand prize of a brand-new Ford F-150. The promotion is available for members of the Lucky North Club, a reward program offering points to players at Southland.