Given its illustrious past, one would be hard-pressed to find a dull moment in the history of Oaklawn Hot Springs. Still, the latest chapter has added a particularly exciting new buzz to the renowned Spa City attraction. A $100 million expansion project completed in 2021 brought numerous upgrades and new amenities to the state’s first casino resort, including a Forbes-recommended luxury hotel, the state’s only Forbes-four-star-rated spa and an event center.
“The expansion has far exceeded our expectations,” said Oaklawn President Louis Cella. “On paper, it always looks different than the final product. We receive thanks from patrons all the time wanting to let us know how proud they are to have such a special resort in Arkansas.”
Cella added that his choice in specifying “Arkansas” rather than “Hot Springs” was a deliberate one — he said the goal with the expansion has been to create a showcase property for the entire region. Based on the tourism impact so far, it is clear that the positive effects of the project go well beyond the Oaklawn property lines.
“We did not build our Forbes-rated restaurants, The Bugler and OAK room & bar, to just increase the culinary experience at Oaklawn; we did it to raise the bar for everyone in the area,” Cella said. “Patrons come from Houston and Chicago and parts in between to experience our Forbes-four-star rated-Astral Spa. Add world-class racing to the mix, and you have a recipe for success, growth and a lot of fun for our guests.”
Any organization undertaking such a bold expansion of its capabilities runs the risk of suffering from mission creep. As the fourth generation of his family to head the century-plus-old Oaklawn Jockey Club, however, Cella has also ensured the home of the Racing Festival of the South remains true to its thoroughbred legacy. Decor and design choices all throughout the nongaming areas nod to the track outside. The importance of Oaklawn’s heritage is also impressed upon team members through the internal OJC-U program, headed by Senior Vice President Eric Jackson.
“Department heads and managers get to learn why Oaklawn is so much more than a casino with some restaurants,” Cella said. “We have over a century of experiences and history not associated with the casino, which is very important for us to appreciate and to remind everyone why we are racing first.”
Further investments into the racing facilities, such as the ongoing construction of a 24-stall receiving and stakes barn and 36-stall pony and outrider barn, reflect Oaklawn’s steadfast commitment to the quality of its racing chops. Upgrades and improvements certainly benefit race-day spectators, but they also make Oaklawn’s priorities clear to the riders, trainers and countless others who come together to put on some of the best spectacles in horse racing each year.
“It all starts with the horse owners willing to participate in our program,” Cella said. “We have nearly 3,000 horses that want to come to Oaklawn, but we only have 1,500 stalls for them. We have the best relationship with our local Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association and with our racing commission. No one brings in an agenda. We all know what our goals are — what is best for the horses and what is best for racing. If we continue to follow those goals, we will continue to be the envy of horse racing nation.”
Another potential hurdle for growing enterprises is the challenge of maintaining a strong company culture as the headcount rises. There are a lot of moving parts, Cella said, from any one of nine different restaurants to more than 40 different racing concession stands and three gift shops — all that before even mentioning the hotel, spa and event center. He credited General Manager Wayne Smith and Oaklawn’s senior management team with cultivating an atmosphere where “each and every person feels welcome, feels like a team member and is part of the Oaklawn family.”
With more than 900 full- and part-time employees and another 800 in the barn area, it is indeed a sizable family and one people are eager to be a part of.
“If our team members feel they are part of the family, they want to work. They have a smile on their face. They look our guests in their eyes with a twinkle,” Cella said. “When patrons comment, and they frequently do, on how we are the friendliest, safest and most fun casino in the state, now you know why.”
Away from the track, Oaklawn has been hard at work solidifying its place as a top event venue in the state, as well. The new event center boasts 18,000 square feet of space and can accommodate up to 1,500 guests. Most notably calling upon Oaklawn’s talents of late was the annual Broyles Award ceremony, which had previously been in Little Rock every year since its 1996 inception. In moving to Hot Springs this year, the event went from a single-afternoon affair to a multiday celebration — another indication of the venue’s abilities. Oaklawn is already set to host the award’s 30th anniversary celebrations in 2026. As AMP previously reported, Smith had had his eye on the event ever since award founder David Bazzel invited him in 2022.
“[Smith] attended the awards show in Little Rock and asked the appropriate question, ‘Why is it in Little Rock? Why not at Oaklawn?’” Cella said. “Our event center is the nicest one in the state. We have an entire catering kitchen with its dedicated staff to put on those types of shows. Wayne met with the Broyles folks and asked them to give us a chance. We showed them the very high level of hospitality we offer, including our culinary options, our meeting rooms and an ability to create a national stage for everyone to be proud [of].”
Reflecting upon his own forebears, Cella sees Oaklawn’s latest evolution as a fitting next step. His great-grandfather and great-uncle had the vision to bring racing to Arkansas in 1904, while his grandfather sought to establish a racetrack that could compete in Spa City’s heyday of mobsters and illegal casino operations. Cella’s father likewise set out to establish Oaklawn as a premiere name in racing facilities. As for himself, Cella said he and his wife, Rochelle, want to create the best resort in Arkansas. A successful track record of 120 years bodes well.
“We will be successful in the coming years if we focus on what we do best and not become distracted,” Cella said. “We will continue to offer the best in racing, the best in food and beverage, the best spa, and the best hotel. We are in the hospitality business, and if we laser-focus on that and continue to be the best in each category, we will be just fine.”
