Lottery, Blackjack and Poker, Hoof or Paw-There's plenty of gaming in Arkansas
From the Delta to the Ouachita Mountains, plan your next vacation around exciting games of skill in Arkansas. West Memphis is home to live greyhound races, while Hot Springs offers four months of live horseracing. Add a combined 1450 electronic gaming machines and simulcast racing between the two venues to the new Arkansas Scholarship Lottery and you've hit the jackpot!
Southland Greyhound Park
Located in West Memphis, Southland Greyhound Park has the distinction of being one of the largest greyhound racing facilities in the world. Southland offers something for everyone - over 800 electronic gaming machines, simulcast racing, a 150-seat juke joint and superb food, as well as Southland's claim to fame - greyhound racing.
Let your hidden rock star shine in the Guitar Hero contests or sing your heart out on karaoke nights! Impress your friends during trivia night or sit back and enjoy live music. The Juke Joint features music performed by some of the best bands from around the region, every Wednesday through Saturday night.
The newly opened Bourbon Street Steakhouse and Grill offers succulent steaks, savory seafood, scrumptious soups, and refreshing salads with a New Orleans flair. Experience global fare without leaving Southland - the World Market Buffet offers international cuisine during daily lunch and dinner buffets, as well as surf-and-turf buffets on weekends and a champagne brunch on Sundays. If you're in a hurry, stop by Quinn & Ella's for burgers, fries, snacks, and sodas. You can also visit the Kennel Club and dine while watching the greyhounds run.
Get close to the track as the impressive greyhounds chase the bone around the course. Southland Park features over 400 live greyhound performances each year, as well as a simulcast room featuring greyhound and Thoroughbred races.
Southland Park is located at 1550 N. Ingram in West Memphis. For more information, visit www.SouthlandGreyhound.com or phone 870-735-3670 or 800-467-6182.
Oaklawn Racing & Gaming
There is no sound quite like the call of the bugle as it announces the beginning of the competition. Horse racing is a sport unlike any other. Spectators enjoy the satisfaction of watching not only the strength and power of the horses but also the jockey's handling skills of these graceful animals.
Whether it's the thrill of the bet, the energized atmosphere, or watching and cheering on the elegant powerhouses as they speed around the course, there's something about the chase that never fails to draw a crowd.
The rush of excitement felt as the thundering hooves charge to the finish line has made Oaklawn Racing & Gaming a premier entertainment venue since its opening in 1905. Oaklawn is Arkansas's only Thoroughbred racing venue. The track consists of a one-mile dirt oval and features Thoroughbred races from late January through mid-April. It is one of the top tracks in the country, and in addition to its racing, the track is open year-round for simulcasting and electronic gaming operations.
The gaming experience at Oaklawn dates back to 2000. A recent grandstand expansion provided the park more room for live racing, simulcasting and gaming (both Instant Racing and electronic games of skill). Since opening in May 2009, the new gaming facility features 650 games of skill including cardless poker and blackjack. Phase two of the expansion is expected to be completed in early 2010 and will add more games of skill (up to a total of 1100) including the state's first electronic poker room, featuring Texas Hold 'Em. Wrapping up the live racing season, Oaklawn's Racing Festival of the South attracts the nation's top horses and the Arkansas Derby winner normally can be expected to play a key role in the famous Triple Crown races. Down through the years there have been many horses that rose to the top of their profession via the track. Horses like Smarty Jones, Afleet Alex, Temperence Hill, and Summer Bird have come through Oaklawn before going on to success in Triple Crown races.
More than horses, a day at the races is an event full of camaraderie, people watching, drink, food (like the park's famed corned beef sandwiches), and the anticipation of each upcoming race.
Oaklawn Gaming & Racing is located at 2705 Central Ave, Scenic Ark. 7, just south of Historic Downtown Hot Springs. www.oaklawn.com.
Scholarship Lottery
Talk about anticipation! Take a red marker and circle Sept. 28 on your calendar. Then flip over to Oct. 31 and do the same. Want to know why? Because Sept. 28 is when the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery will begin selling instant-win scratch-off tickets. Oct. 31 is the startup date for Powerball, a national jackpot and cash game. Net proceeds from the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery will be used to support Arkansas education for Arkansas students and build a better future for our state.
www.myarkansaslottery.com