Southland Casino Racing (formerlySouthland Greyhound Park andSouthland Park Gaming and Racing) is acasino inWest Memphis, Arkansas.Simulcastthoroughbred horse races from other tracks around the United States are also offered, along withgreyhound racing fromWest Virginia.
The venue has been expanded through the years, and with the decline in greyhound racing, shifted from being solely a racing track to becoming a full-fledged casino, finally expanding to such in April 2019 after the constitutional amendment allowed it to do so. It made it the closest casino toMemphis, Tennessee across theMississippi River. Because of this, it is one of West Memphis's largest attractions.
Southland Park began as a dog racing track in 1956. At its opening in 1956, Southland became Arkansas's only greyhound racetrack, following in the tradition of the earlier Riverside Kennel Club, which was the first greyhound track in West Memphis. Riverside had been located at the Arkansas end of theMississippi River bridge between West Memphis and Memphis, Tennessee, and proved to be a popular diversion. Based on that popularity, Southland was established after the demise of Riverside. Originally owned by the Upton family and other individuals, Southland was purchased byDelaware North Companies, Inc., based inBuffalo, New York, in the early 1970s. In the 1993 filmThe Firm, Southland appears as the backdrop for a pivotal scene betweenTom Cruise andEd Harris.[1][2]
In 2019, it was announced that greyhound racing would cease at Southland by December 2022.[3] The last greyhound race was held on December 31, 2022.[4]
Prior to April 1, 2019, the state of Arkansas did not use traditional slot machines; all games offered were "electronic games of skill," which was defined by section 10.17 of theFinal Rules of the Arkansas Racing Commission Regulations for Franchise Holders Operating Electronic Games of skill as "game(s) played through any electronic device or machine that affords an opportunity for the exercise of skill or judgment where the outcome is not completely controlled by chancealone."[5] At that time, the state of Arkansas did not permit live table games, but Southland Park did have electronic versions ofBlackjack,Craps,Roulette,Three Card Poker,Ultimate Texas Hold'em andMississippi Stud.
As of April 1, 2019, Southland became a full casino pursuant to Amendment 100 to theConstitution of Arkansas, approved by voters in 2018. As such, it now has live versions of blackjack, craps, and other games, as well as sports wagering; it may also have traditional slot machines, though many of the former "electronic games of skill" machines continue to operate under its casino license.[6][7]
| Education | |
|---|---|
| Landmarks | |
| History | |
