Is Sports Betting Legal in Arkansas? Everything You Need to Know

Legal Status of Sports Betting in Arkansas

Sports betting in Arkansas stands on firm legal ground, blending a mix of in-person and online options for eager bettors. The foundation was laid in November 2018 when voters passed Amendment 4, amending the state constitution to permit casino gaming and sports wagering, a deliberate step forward rather than a rushed leap.

The first bets hit the books in July 2019 at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort, marking a historic shift, but the state didn’t stop there. After years of groundwork, lawmakers finalized rules for online betting in February 2022, unleashing mobile sportsbooks the following month.

Today, the market features just three licensed online operators: Betly, tied to Southland Casino Racing; Oaklawn Sports, linked to its namesake resort; and BetSaracen, partnered with Saracen Casino Resort. This trio keeps the digital scene tight-knit, with Betly standing out as the only one flexing its reach beyond Arkansas borders. It’s a regulated setup with room to grow, rooted in voter choice and legislative precision.

Recent Developments in Kentucky Sports Betting

[March 11, 2025]: Arkansas iGaming Bill Gains Traction as Senator King Pushes for Voter Say

[November 26, 2024]: Proposed Arkansas Bill Aims to Allow Colleges to Host 50/50 Raffles for NIL Funding

[September 30, 2024]: Arkansas Secretary of State Challenges Pope County Casino Ballot Initiative

Available Sportsbooks in Arkansas

Arkansas’s sports betting ring currently features a trio of mobile heavyweights, each tied to a brick-and-mortar casino, delivering options for digital and in-person wagers.

Betly steps up as the seasoned traveler, linked to Southland Casino Racing in West Memphis, with a user-friendly app and welcome bonuses ranging from $100 to $250, its reach also spans Ohio, Tennessee, and West Virginia.

Oaklawn Sports, a homegrown icon with over a century of racing history in Hot Springs, powers its mobile platform through a Kambi partnership, spotlighting Arkansas teams at its Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort sportsbook.

BetSaracen rounds out the pack, backed by the Quapaw Nation’s Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Bluff, tempting newbies with a $500 deposit bonus and sharp odds at its on-site betting hub.

A fourth player, Legends Resort & Casino in Russellville, looms on the horizon, but legal snags have stalled its debut.

Big names like DraftKings and FanDuel sit on the sidelines, deterred by a steep rule: outside operators must fork over 51% of online net proceeds to their casino partners, a deal too rich for most industry titans. Still, with room for up to eight mobile books under state law, a Physically-Based shifts could lure more players if the revenue split eases up or new casino deals sweeten the pot. For now, Arkansas’s betting lineup is lean but poised for potential growth.

Regulatory Oversight

The Arkansas Racing Commission (ARC) stands as the key regulator for the state’s sports betting industry, wielding authority over a landscape shaped by its expanded gambling mandate. Beyond licensing, the ARC conducts regular audits to maintain transparency and fairness, while also collaborating with casinos to enforce operational standards.

It manages a unique tax structure, distinct from many states, that escalates based on revenue thresholds, ensuring a steady flow to public funds. The commission’s influence extends to setting boundaries on permissible bets, explicitly barring categories like amateur youth sports to protect integrity.

A six-member board, appointed by the governor, guides its decisions, blending expertise with accountability. This oversight body also adapts rules as needed, balancing growth with control in Arkansas’s evolving betting arena.

Who Can Bet on Sports in Arkansas?

In Arkansas, the gatekeeper to sports betting is age, 21 is the magic number to step into the action, whether at the state’s three casino sportsbooks or through the trio of mobile apps: Betly, Oaklawn Sports, and BetSaracen. Location plays a critical role too; bettors must be physically within Arkansas borders to place wagers online, a rule enforced by geolocation tech baked into the apps.

You don’t need to call Arkansas home. Visitors over 21 can join the fun as long as they’re in-state when the bet’s made. Some offshore betting sites might tempt 18-year-olds with looser rules, but those operate outside Arkansas’s legal umbrella, carrying risks the regulated market avoids. The Arkansas Racing Commission keeps a tight watch, ensuring only those meeting these criteria can play, safeguarding both the system and its users.

College Sports Betting in Arkansas

College sports betting’s a big deal in Arkansas, especially since the state’s got no pro teams to steal the show, NCAA action fills that gap perfectly.

Good news for fans: it’s all above board, with rules that let you bet on university games, even the local heroes. The Arkansas Razorbacks out of the University of Arkansas are the heavy hitters, rocking football, basketball, and baseball in the SEC and pulling in tons of wagers.

Then you’ve got the Arkansas State Red Wolves holding it down in the Sun Belt with solid football and hoops squads, plus underdogs like the UAPB Golden Lions, Central Arkansas Bears, and Little Rock Trojans heating up during March Madness.

Oaklawn Sports hooks it up with deep betting options on these teams. You’re looking at spreads, moneylines, totals, and some prop bets, though player-specific ones might be iffy depending on who’s running the book. It’s a fun, laid-back vibe that keeps the college sports hype rolling strong.

Taxes and Revenue from Sports Betting

Arkansas’s sports betting cash flow spins a web that pumps money into state and local pockets. Operators face a tiered tax hit: 13% on net gaming revenue up to $150 million, jumping to 20% beyond that, keeping the system progressive.

Players aren’t off the hook either, winners fork over a federal cut of up to 24% on their haul, plus a 3% state tax when filing yearly returns. The state slices up the operator tax pie like this: 55% bolsters the Arkansas General Revenue Fund, 19.5% trickles to the casino’s host city (or county if it’s rural), 17.5% juices the ARC’s Purse and Awards Fund, and 8% pads the host county’s budget.

Numbers tell a growth story, 2023 saw a $404.8 million handle (total bets), spitting out $37.2 million in revenue and $5.3 million in taxes, while 2024’s on pace to top $500 million after hitting a record $66.1 million in November alone.

Southland and Oaklawn dodge extra licensing fees, but new casino applicants shell out up to $250,000 to get in the game. It’s a setup that’s fattening state coffers and showing steady climbs, even with its quirks.

Responsible Gambling Resources

Arkansas doesn’t skimp on support for keeping sports betting fun and safe, with a solid lineup of resources for anyone feeling the heat. The Arkansas Problem Gambling Council (APGC) leads the charge, offering a quick three-question quiz to spot trouble, plus a helpline at 1-800-522-4700 and an email lifeline at info@arproblemgambling.org.

They’ve got national backup too, linking to the National Council on Problem Gambling and extras like 1-800-GAMBLER and gamtalk.org for chats or advice. Want a break? Self-exclusion programs let you lock yourself out of betting sites and casinos statewide.

Operators play their part; every app and sportsbook flashes helpline info when you log in, and they’ve got deposit limits or cooldown options on deck. The Arkansas Racing Commission nudges everyone to treat betting like a pastime, not a paycheck, and with these tools, help’s always a call away if the game gets too heavy.

Q&A about Sports Betting in Arkansas