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Arkansas Sports Betting
Arkansas has a regulated sports betting industry in-state, making it one of the early adopters following the repeal of PASPA, a federal piece of law that prohibited sports betting in Arkansas and the United States before May 2018.
Things have changed dramatically over the past few years, with the state now running legal betting options, although they are not as widely spread as in other states. Still, Arkansas offers retail as well as mobile sports wagering options. This became a fact after the state launched retail sports wagering in 2019 and expanded its market to include online/mobile betting in March 2022.
With its 3 million people, the state is gradually building a strong and competitive sports betting market. Currently, Arkansas shares a boarder with three other US states that offer sports betting, while the remaining three are in the process of legalizing the activity.
Best Online Sports Betting Sites in Arkansas
There aren’t as many options for online sports betting currently in the Natural State as in some other markets. However, there are three operators that offer such services. The list includes:
- Betly
- Bet Saracen
- Oaklawn Sports
Latest Gambling News in Arkansas
Best Sports Betting Apps in Arkansas
Each of the aforementioned sportsbooks stands out with its own benefits and contributes toward creating a healthy market with competitive and compelling offers including special odds for specific games or limited promotions.
Bet Saracen, was the first mobile sportsbook that launched its services in Arkansas. The launch was completed back in May 2022 and coincided with the rollout of engaging and rewarding promotions.
Then, in August 2022, Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort, in collaboration with Kambi, announced the launch of Oaklawn Sports. This marked the second mobile sportsbook that launched its services for customers in the Natural State.
In November 2022, Southland Casino Racing announced the launch of Betly, the latest mobile betting sportsbook in Arkansas. As with any new launch, special promotions for new customers were introduced in celebration, delivering benefits for sports fans and bettors alike.
Where Can You Bet in Person in Arkansas?
Making betting legal in Arkansas has had its immediate upsides nevertheless, and for fans of horse racing and sports betting, there are three in-person choices to explore as you see fit. Sports bettors may visit the retail sportsbooks at:
- Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in Hot Springs
- Southland Gaming & Racing in West Memphis
- Saracen Casino Resort Annex in Pine Bluff
- Pope County
The venue in Pope County is still not a sealed deal as there has been a lot of local pushback against a proposed casino project in the county. Unlike counterparts in Hot Springs and West Memphis, or even Pine Bluff, locals, especially around Russellville, have not really seen the point of issuing more casino licenses and least of all in Pope County.
While the Pope County sight is still being debated and is being delayed for years, you can visit any of the other Arkansans sportsbooks available in person and place your wagers on-site.
However, if you prefer a more convenient method for sports wagering, such as using a mobile device or a computer, this is also possible via the three licensed mobile sportsbooks in Arkansas.
Arkansas Sports Betting Locations
| Property | Address |
|---|---|
| Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort | 2705 Central Ave, Hot Springs, AR 71901, United States |
| Southland Gaming & Racing | 1550 North Ingram Blvd, West Memphis, AR 72301, United States |
| Saracen Casino Resort | 1 Saracen Resort Dr, Pine Bluff, AR 71601, United States |
There are three locations that offer sports betting in Arkansas, as mentioned before. Now, we take a closer look at each of these and briefly go through what each has to offer when it comes to legal sports wagering contests.
Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in Hot Springs
- Address: 2705 Central Ave, Hot Springs, AR 71901, United States
The venue offers numerous betting opportunities that focus on horse racing and casino gaming. Equipped with all necessary amenities, the Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort brings you an array of promotions & entertainment, a busy racing calendar, and a replete menu with some delectable food options!
Southland Gaming & Racing in West Memphis
- Address: 1550 North Ingram Blvd, West Memphis, AR 72301, United States
The Betly Sportsbook at the Southland Casino will bring you everything you expect from a great sportsbook, including online wagering options. There are on-property kiosks that you can tap into 24/7 and place wagers on numerous competitions, including but not limited to college and pro football, basketball, baseball, golf, hockey, auto racing, mixed martial arts, soccer, and more, as per the official website listing. Southland Casino similarly offers a racing facility and it has a dedicated casino.
Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Bluff
- Address: 1 Saracen Resort Dr, Pine Bluff, AR 71601, United States
The Saracen Casino Resort has style and if there is one thing you can surmise about the property, looking at its digital assets, it’s that it has been fully built to cater to the digital age. The sportsbook on-site is equipped with everything you need to participate in sports betting as soon as you enter.
You will get to enjoy the full-service sports bar as well as the dedicated lounge. The Annex works from 9 am through 2 am, covering a wide range of hours and making it possible for Arkansas sports fans to come and place a flutter when they see fit.
Mobile Sports Betting in Arkansas
Arkansas legalized retail sports wagering back in 2018. The legalization came during the same year when PASPA was struck down by the US Supreme Court, clearing the path for a statewide expansion of sports betting.
Although it was legalized in 2018, retail betting activities arrived in Arkansas the next year, with the state taking its first legal bets starting on July 1, 2019. But lawmakers continued their efforts to expand further the sports wagering options for residents of the state and pushed for the introduction of mobile betting as well.
The legislative process was long and faced multiple difficulties, including the global pandemic. Ultimately, in late February 2022, Arkansas legalized mobile sports betting as well. Shortly after, in March 2022, the state launched its mobile sports betting market, enabling customers aged 21 or older, within the state borders, to place wagers via computers or mobile devices.
As mentioned, Arkansas doesn’t offer a large number of mobile sportsbooks, yet, that convenient option is available for customers in the state via the sportsbooks Betly, Bet Saracen, and Oaklawn Sports.
Horse Racing Betting in Arkansas
The Arkansas Racing Commission regulates not just the sports betting segment but also horse racing in the state. Home to the Oaklawn Racing and Southland Casino Racing racetracks, the state-approved horse racing way before it approved sports betting. For decades, Arkansas residents had nothing but horses to bet on, and they didn’t seem to complain in the slightest.
To wager on a horse, though, you would have to visit in person which is part of the charm. The racetracks used to run greyhound races, but those are gradually phased out as part of a broader national movement for animal well-fare. Licensed and trusted by locals, these two racetracks bring you excellent options to bet on horse races.
What Sports Can I Bet on in Arkansas?
You will have no trouble finding the sports betting market you wish to bet on in Arkansas. All major leagues are covered and you will have access to various betting types as well as professional teams from competitions such as the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, boxing, tennis, and more on-site or via the online sportsbooks.
The sports betting lounges at the state’s facilities are sufficiently comfortable to provide you with a great experience on-site and the self-serving kiosks will automate some of the experience for you, but you can just as well do over-the-counter wagers if you feel a little old fashioned. Still, the convenience of placing wagers online or via a mobile device when in Arkansas remains a secondary option or even a primary one for some seasoned sports fans.
Can I Bet on Daily Fantasy Sports in Arkansas?
Yes, you can. Fantasy sports was legalized even before sports betting in April 2017 when Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed HB 2250 into law and served as a precursor to legal betting in Arkansas. Today, you can pick from a handful of operators, and you can actually bet remotely.
The two websites to stand out the most are FanDuel and DraftKings, which are quite popular as the national leaders when it comes to traditional sports betting as well. In other words, DraftKings and FanDuel hold a leadership role within the DFS market in the state.
Arkansas Sports Betting Tax and Regulation
Arkansas has made a point of taxing the industry to the benefit of the state through a well-elaborated sports betting bill. While greyhound races are off the table, the Racing Commission is still charging 13% on the first $150,000,000 that a casino property generates through sports betting.
That rate goes up to 20% once the receipts exceed this amount, i.e. $150,000,001. Once the money from gambling is collected, the state distributes the funds through the state general fund (55%), the cities in which the casinos are located (19.5%), the counties in which the properties are based (8%), and last but not least, the regulator allocates 17.5% to the Arkansas Racing Commission Purse and Awards Fund, established to support and develop the horseracing industry in the state.
More Gambling in Arkansas Beyond Sportsbooks
Arkansas is one of the late-comers when it concerns the state lottery, but the good news is that it has one. Since 2009, the state’s lottery has been chugging along without a hitch, making it very easy for lottery aficionados to pick and place a wager of their own.
Most of the lottery money is allocated to scholarships, and the lottery has distributed over 150,000 scholarships as of today. Most tickets are available offline, but if you download a fitting app that offers Powerball, Mega Millions, and National State Lottery tickets, such as the Jackpocket app.
FAQ
July 1, 2019 marked the launch of retail sports betting. Arkansas sports betting arrived a year after PASPA was finally defeated in 2018. On March 6, 2022, Arkansas launched mobile sports betting.
21. You must be at least 21 years of age to place a legal sports bet in Arkansas. Check out our legal gambling age guide for other states.
You may presently bet online via three licensed sportsbooks in Arkansas. Betting online on fantasy sports is also possible.
Presently, you can choose from Oaklawn Racing Casino, Southland Casino Racing and Saracen Casino Resort.
Yes, horse racing bets are accepted in Arkansas and you have at least two viable options at Oaklawn Racing and Southland Casino Racing. Both properties offer pari-mutuel wagers and you can wager in person or use a mobile app.
