Arkansas Sports Betting

In July 2019, the first legal sports bet in Arkansas was placed at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort after SB 669, which was introduced by Senator Will Bond, was signed into law in November 2018. The bill allows for mobile sports betting and gives the Arkansas Racing Commission the power to award up to four sports betting licenses to venues across the state, with a limit of one license per county.

In total, two racinos, one casino resort, and one forthcoming casino resort can operate retail and mobile sports betting. There are gaming venues in the state (Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort, Southland Gaming & Racing, Saracen Casino Resort in Pinebluff opened in October 2020) and a fourth casino site in Pope County is in the works.

Applicants for the additional two casino licenses must pay an application fee of up to $250,000 for the right to operate casinos, including sportsbook operations.

In February 2022, a legislative subcommittee approved proposed mobile sports betting rules, which include a 51% revenue-sharing model between casinos and third-party operators. The Arkansas Joint Budget Committee approved the mobile sports betting rules and it launched in March 2022.