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Electronic Games Of Skill Debut In Arkansas
 Message was posted: 07:39 Nov 13th, 2006     
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Electronic Games Of Skill Debut In Arkansas

The new sign at Southland Park says it all. The word "gaming" now comes before “racing” to show the track's commitment to its new casino.

"I'm glad. It should have happened a long time ago,” says West Memphis resident Dorris Fletcher. “It had the dogs, so why not casinos?"

Hundreds waited in line Thursday night trying to get a glimpse of the casino. With the cutting of a ribbon, the wait was over and a new era of gambling began in Arkansas.

Inside, there's video poker and traditional-looking slot machines; plus black jack and poker tables where the cards have been replaced with video screens. Southland's president, Barry Baldwin, says the casino is far over due.

"We had been continually negatively impacted because it hasn't been a level playing field. All around we're surrounded either by gaming in Mississippi, Tennessee Lottery and gaming in Missouri," he says.

Without the games, the park says it could've been lights out.

"We would have been open for several more years. How long we don't know," says Baldwin

Southland says the casino created more than 300 new jobs.

Steve Jones of the West Memphis Chamber of Commerce says, “It's like recruiting another company when you're bringing in a $13 million payroll."

It's also expected to generate big money for local and state governments.

"The city of West Memphis, if the projections are correct, should receive over $600,000 annually, Crittenden County over $200,000. The state of Arkansas should get over $7.5 million annually," says Baldwin.

Since the winning has begun, some say they'll make Southland their casino of choice.

"It's better than going all the way to Tunica," says Fletcher.

But Southland management is keeping their bets a little more conservative when it comes to competing with the Mississippi casinos.

"We think we'll have a lot of tourists stop here. Draw it away, no. We don't have the hotel, the golf course," says Baldwin.

But Southland does have the first electronic games of skill in the Natural State.





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