Published on: January 10, 2026, 10:00 AM

Updated on: January 10, 2026, 2:45 PM

• Jim Burns, 58, CFO of Saracen Casino Resort, tragically passed away after a golf cart accident.
• The incident took place at a country club near Pine Bluff, Arkansas casino on January 8.
• Burns succumbed to injuries the following morning.
• He had been managing the finances of the Quapaw Nation-owned casino since 2020.

James M. Burns, the Chief Financial Officer for Saracen Casino Resort located in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, passed away due to injuries sustained in a golf-cart accident at the nearby Pine Bluff Country Club on January 9.

As reported by local outlet Deltaplex News, Jefferson County Coroner Chad Kelley confirmed that Burns, 58, was injured when a golf cart he occupied overturned on January 8. He was transported to Jefferson Regional Hospital, where he unfortunately passed away early the next day.

Kelley also mentioned that Burns’ remains would be sent to the Arkansas State Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy while investigations are underway.

A Recognized Leader in Arkansas Gaming

Burns was a prominent figure in the Arkansas gaming community. In April 2025, Arkansas Money & Politics featured him as the “Face of Arkansas Gaming,” acknowledging him as a “value creator and effective leader” with a strong background in achieving financial and operational success.

The magazine noted his pivotal role in guiding Saracen’s strategic objectives in collaboration with fellow executives and the leadership of the Quapaw Nation, whose investment benefits their ancestral land.

Burns was commended for his commitment to providing a top-notch experience that positively impacted both the tribe and the local community through job creation and partnerships with vendors.

Originally from the Chicago region, Burns graduated from Joliet Catholic High School and earned an accounting degree from Northern Illinois University (NIU) in 1989, the same year he passed the CPA exam. He completed his MBA at NIU in 1995, followed by advanced executive training in a strategic-leadership program within the gaming sector at the University of Nevada, Reno, in 2012.

Burns had a distinguished career in gaming finance, having served as CFO in various organizations and held roles as CEO and general manager before joining Saracen in 2020. His steady leadership, extensive industry insight, and dedication to operational excellence were frequently acknowledged by his peers.

He is survived by his wife, Lisa, their five adult children, and four grandchildren.

Saracen Casino Resort has yet to release a statement regarding this tragic event and has not addressed the news on its social media platforms.