Arkansas sports betting is legal and live, but only three mobile sportsbooks currently operate in the state.
To make sports betting an option in 2018, voters had to approve an amendment to the state constitution. The state accepted the first legal sports bet at a Hot Springs casino in July 2019, but online sports betting wasn’t an option early on. Finally, Arkansas received final state legislative approval for mobile bets on Feb. 22, 2022.
Since then, the three casinos in Arkansas have launched mobile versions of their sportsbooks. Residents and in-state visitors (must be 21+) can place a sports bet from anywhere in Arkansas.
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Arkansas Sports Betting: Quick Facts
| Arkansas Population | 3.1 million |
|---|---|
| Legal Betting Age | 21 |
| Sports Betting Regulator | Arkansas Racing Commission |
| Online Sportsbooks | ✔️ Available but limited |
| Retail Sportsbooks | ✔️ Available |
| College Sports Betting | ✔️ Available |
| Esports Betting | ❌ No |
| Tax Rate | 51% |
Latest Arkansas Sports Betting Updates
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May 22, 2024:
As expected, April betting in Arkansas didn’t keep up with March and its NCAA tournament bets. Handle was down about 16.5%. The state’s three sportsbooks enjoyed an increase in revenue from $3.4 million in March to $3.8 million in April 2024.
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May 6, 2024:
Monthly sports betting surpassed the $50 million mark for the fourth time in five months. The NCAA basketball tournaments helped bring in just over $50 million in March. November 2023 still holds the single-month record with $54.8 million in bets.
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April 9, 2024:
March sports betting numbers haven’t been released yet, but college basketball wagers could be on the rise when 2025 arrives. The Arkansas Razorbacks are in the final stages of hiring superstar coach John Calipari away from Kentucky. March is the biggest non-football betting month of the year for the state’s three sportsbooks. That should be true in 2024 even though Arkansas missed the postseason.
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March 12, 2024:
Look for a May application process as Arkansas once again seeks an operator for its fourth and final casino gambling license. The state legislature still needs to approve a set of rules for Pope County casino bidders. A new casino northwest of Little Rock could mean a new online sportsbook option as well.
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March 4, 2024:
Arkansas sportsbook customers wagered more than $50 million in bets for the third consecutive month. November 2023 still holds the record with a handle of $54.8 million. January’s $50.7 million is the state’s third-highest total ever. The month featured three rounds of the NFL playoffs. The Super Bowl (February) and the NCAA Tournament (March) should produce high numbers as well.
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February 15, 2024:
The state took in about $53 million in sports bets for the month of December. Arkansas bettors wagered about $404.8 million for the calendar year.
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January 30, 2024:
Kansas City Chiefs fans from Missouri may make a trip south to visit an Arkansas Sportbook soon. Legal Super Bowl betting isn’t available in Missouri, but you don’t have to be an Arkansas resident to use an Arkansas sportsbook. Your device just needs to be geolocated inside state lines.
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October 31, 2023:
Arkansas generated over a $44.9 million handle for October 2023. This is up 10% from September’s handle.
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August 31, 2023:
Arkansas generated a $20.2 million sports betting handle in August, up 31% from July.
Arkansas Sports Betting Legalization Timeline
Online wagering is legalized on Feb. 28, 2022, and launched in the state on March 6, 2022.
State Rep. Lee Johnson introduces HB 1942 which would have allowed casino licensees to expand Arkansas sports betting beyond retail sites.
Saracen Casino Resort officially opened in October 2020 offering both slot machines and table games.
The state legalizes sportsbooks in July 2019 allowing residents to bet on sports on-site at licensed casinos and racetracks.
Arkansas voters approve Issue 4, an amendment to the Arkansas Constitution to require that the Arkansas Racing Commission issue licenses for casino gaming to be conducted at four casinos in Arkansas. Following the approval of a ballot referendum in November 2018, casinos in the state are authorized to offer all casino games, including sports betting.
Where To Bet in Arkansas: Retail Sportsbooks
| 🏦 Arkansas Casinos and Retail Sportsbooks | 📍Address | 📱Mobile Partner |
|---|---|---|
| 🏦 Sports Bar & Grill at Southland Casino | 📍1550 N. Ingram Blvd. West Memphis, AR 72301 | 📲 Betly |
| 🏦 Oaklawn Casino Racing Resort | 📍2705 Central Ave, Hot Springs, AR 71901 | 📲 Oaklawn Sportsbook |
| 🏦 Saracen Casino Resort | 📍1 Saracen Resort Dr, Pine Bluff, AR 71601 | 📲Saracen Sportsbook |
Best Arkansas Sports Betting Apps
Arkansas has only three online sports betting options. Two of the state’s three casinos have “house” sportsbooks with access to sports betting apps.
- Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Bluff has BetSaracen.
- Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in Hot Springs has Oaklawn Sports.
- Southland Casino Racing in West Memphis has Betly.
Betly is the only multi-state option among the three sportsbooks. The app is available in Ohio, Tennessee, and West Virginia, in addition to Arkansas.
Southland Casino Racing’s Betly mobile app was made available on April 26, 2022. Despite not having a mobile app at the time, Betly pulled in $3.3 million during its first month of operation.
On May 12, 2022, the BetSaracen sports betting app launched, and Arkansas finally had multiple mobile operators.
A third sportsbook, Oaklawn Sports, arrived in August 2022 to round out the current list of operators.
Arkansas laws allow up to eight mobile sportsbooks, but current laws prevent this kind of growth.
Other Types of Gambling in Arkansas
| 💰DFS | ✅ Yes |
| 💸 Lottery | ✅ Yes |
| 🐎 Horse Racing (Pari-mutuel wagering) | ✅ Yes |
| 🪙 Fliff Social Sportsbook | ✅ Yes |
| 🪙 Rebet Social Sportsbook | ✅ Yes |
| ♠️ Online Poker | ❌No |
| 🤑Online Casinos | ❌No |
| 🎮 Esports | ❌No |
Daily Fantasy Sports in Arkansas
Daily fantasy sports (DFS) have been allowed to operate in Arkansas since Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed HB 2250 in April 2017. Top DFS providers like DraftKings and FanDuel have been part of the landscape since then.
However, Arkansas is cracking down on third-party daily fantasy sports companies, including Underdog Sports and PrizePicks. On Feb. 15, 2024, the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration sent cease and desist letters to the companies.
Like many states, Arkansas thinks the player vs. house gameplay mirrors a player prop bet at its three legal sportsbooks.
DFS Apps: SuperDraft Fantasy Promo Code
Social Sportsbooks in Arkansas
Fliff is a new sports betting experience that allows users to play for free while still earning rewards. It is a combination of a traditional sportsbook and a social or sweepstakes casino where you can make sports bets like point spreads, moneylines, totals, prop bets, etc. on various leagues. However, you are not using real currency and can redeem the sweepstakes currency for cash prizes. Rebet, founded by Dartmouth graduates, is another social sportsbook where players compete peer-to-peer for “Coins” that can be redeemed for prizes.
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Horse Racing in Arkansas
Arkansas is home to one of the top Thoroughbred racetracks in the county in Oaklawn Park. Located in Hot Springs, Oaklawn hosts one of the leading Kentucky Derby prep races each year with the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby. In 2015, eventual Triple Crown winner American Pharoah prepped for his run in the American classics by winning both the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes and the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn.
You can bet your favorite sports and events at Oaklawn’s Sportsbook located in the Casino. You can also wager with some of the best horse betting apps like FanDuel Racing in Arkansas.
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How to Bet on Sports in Arkansas
With sports betting legal in Arkansas, new users can learn how to bet on sports. Gamblers in Arkansas have a few different options when it comes to betting on sports. There are three legal mobile sports betting options as well as multiple retail options. Lets go over how to sign up and bet at a mobile Arkansas sports betting app.
Download a Legal AR Sportsbook App
You’ll first need to download the sportsbook app of your choice to your mobile device. The process may be slightly different depending on your device.
- iPhone users should be able to simply type the name of their chosen app into the Apple App Store search bar. Then download the app and allow it to install automatically to your device, as well as install geolocation software.
- Android users will first need to see if the sportsbook they desire is included in the Google Play Store.
- If the app you want isn’t available on the Play Store, visit the app’s desktop site and download it to your Android phone or tablet from there.
As mentioned, installation should start automatically without any prompting from you. Then, you can open the app and proceed to the next step of the process.
Register for the App
You’ll next need to register for the app by opening it on your phone and providing some key pieces of personal information. These will likely include your date of birth, personal address, and Social Security number. All this information will be quickly verified by the sportsbook app’s staff.
Fortunately, HB 1942 proposed online-only registration for Arkansas residents. Any future sports wagering legislation will likely include the same provision. Thus, you don’t need to worry about having to register in person at a partnered casino to complete the process.
Fund Your Account
Once you’ve registered for your sportsbook of choice, you’ll be able to fund your account using a variety of deposit methods. Different sportsbooks offer different deposit methods, but these are the most popular:
- Debit and credit card transfers
- e-Check transfers
- Electronic wallet transfers from PayPal and/or Skrill
- Direct bank transfers
You should keep your initial deposit amount in mind before you make a final decision. Some sportsbook platforms, like DraftKings, offer a deposit match bonus that awards you with extra site credit. However, the amount of site credit you get is dependent on the initial deposit you make.
The exact deposit methods available to you will depend on the sportsbook you choose. Make sure you check out the fastest payout betting sites so that you can use your deposit method of choice. Regardless, once you fund your account, you’ll be able to finally start placing wagers.
Claim Your Welcome Bonuses
Depending on which sportsbook you sign up for, you’ll want to make sure you claim the best welcome offers and sports betting bonuses available. How much of a welcome bonus you get can, at times, hinge on your initial deposit amount or are limited to a certain timeframe, such as seven days to place one of many bonus bets. Most bonuses, however, usually require a deposit of $10.
After claiming any available bonus credit, you can finally place a wager.
Place a Bet
All you’ll have to do at this point is navigate through your sportsbook and find a betting line that looks attractive. Place a wager and cross your fingers!
Sports To Bet on in Arkansas
Arkansas doesn’t have in-state major pro franchises, but Arkansas shares borders with states like Oklahoma, Texas, Tennessee, and Louisiana, all of which have major professional sports franchises that have their own fans across the country.
With online sports betting now legal in Arkansas, you can place bets on NFL odds, MLB run lines, NBA odds, and NHL puck lines.
- NFL teams — Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints, Tennessee Titans
- MLB teams — Houston Astros, Kansas City Royals, St. Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers
- NBA teams — Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, Oklahoma City Thunder
- NHL teams — Dallas Stars, Nashville Predators, St. Louis Blues
College Sports in Arkansas
Arkansas, of course, is in the heart of SEC country, so college sports bettors are as passionate as anyone in the Natural State.
The Arkansas Razorbacks receive much attention as the state’s only major conference program. However, once the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners begin SEC play in 2024, they’ll have new neighboring rivalries to enjoy.
The next tier of programs with a healthy fan base begins with the Arkansas State Red Wolves. They reached the Camelia Bowl at the end of the 2023 season. The university’s basketball programs compete for March Madness in the Sun Belt Conference.
Three more teams compete for March Madness at the Division I level:
- Arkansas-Pine Bluff (UAPB) Golden Lions
- Central Arkansas Bears
- Little Rock Trojans
UAPB and Central Arkansas field FCS football programs. Little Rock does not have a football program.
While professional and college sports are fairly popular in Arkansas, sportsbook apps will also let you put money down on a variety of other niche sporting events and activities. These include activities like darts, NASCAR races, MMA fighting, and soccer leagues around the world.
Time will tell how the market variety develops for online sportsbooks.
Types of Bets at AR Sportsbooks
Moneyline
A moneyline wager means that you wager strictly on a team or individual win. An example of a moneyline wager would be taking the Houston Astros to win at -162 over the Atlanta Braves.
Point Spread
When you wager on the point spread, you are betting on the team’s margin of victory or defeat. For instance, if you bet the Dallas Mavericks as a -3 favorite over the New York Knicks, they have to win by more than that amount. (If they win by two, that’s a loss.)
Totals (Over/Under)
An over/under wager is a good choice if you’re not confident about an overall outcome but you think a defensive or offensive battle will ensue. A total wager means that you are betting on the combined points in a game such as thinking the Dallas Stars and Detroit Red Wings will register 6.5 goals total. If you think they won’t exceed that threshold, bet the Under.
Parlay and SGP
Parlay and same-game parlays are wager bundles that require two or more outcomes to come through, such as betting on the Houston Texans running back to gain a certain number of yards in addition to the team winning and the quarterback throwing for 2 or more touchdowns. Parlay and SGP wagers offer larger payouts than individual bets, but all the legs of your parlay must win for you to receive any winnings.
Futures
Here, you are picking certain season-long outcomes, like who will win conference or league championships. If you pick the Tennessee Titans to win the AFC title, that’s a futures bet.
Potential Sports Betting Apps in Arkansas
Major sportsbooks such as DraftKings, FanDuel, and Caesars aren’t likely to partner with Arkansas’ three casinos. Regulations limit third-party sportsbooks to no more than 50% of net receipts from statewide online sports betting.
If the rules mentioned above ever change, DraftKings seems a likely contender for legal mobile sports betting in this state. The operator already provides daily fantasy sports to Arkansas residents. DraftKings is renowned for having one of the best mobile betting platforms in the industry, with player-friendly betting odds, an excellent opening promo, and live or in-play betting.
- Key features: Same-game parlays, user-friendly interface, odds boosts
- Live Streaming? Yes.
- Available on: iOS and Android
- App Store ratings: Apple 4.7; Google: 4.7
FanDuel is another acclaimed sportsbook that already offers DFS to Arkansas residents. Like its chief competitor, FanDuel has an intuitive mobile app and excellent betting odds spread across a variety of popular betting markets.
- Key features: In-game wagering, early cash outs, online betting guide
- Live streaming? Yes
- Available on: iOS and Android
- App store ratings: Apple 4.9; Google 4.6
Caesars Sportsbook blew up in the US when it acquired international sportsbook behemoth William Hill in 2021. As part of its continued expansion, Caesars Sportsbook could likely open in Arkansas.
- Key features: Fast payouts, same-game parlays, odds boosts
- Live streaming? Yes
- Available on: iOS and Android
- App store ratings: Apple 4.6; Google 4.3
BetMGM is a growing sportsbook that may rival the top two giants mentioned above. It may seek to expand its market presence in the middle of the US by launching in Arkansas. It has an excellent opening bonus, ample live betting, and a user-friendly mobile app.
- Key features: Early payouts, bet boosts, flexible use of bonus bets
- Live streaming? Yes
- Available on: iOS and Android
- App Store ratings: Apple 4.8; Google 4.5
BetRivers could try to launch in Arkansas if the state opens its online sports betting market a little wider. This mobile app is popular and has great market depth and variety.
- Key features: Competitive odds, early payouts, iRush Rewards program
- Live streaming? Yes
- Available on: iOS and Android
- App store ratings: Apple 4.4; Google 3.7
Right now, the law boxes out popular options, including Bet365 Sportsbook and Betway Sportsbook, as well.
What To Look for in Arkansas Betting Apps
Unfortunately, Arkansas residents have only three sports betting apps to choose from. While none of the major sportsbooks are yet available in the state, it is still worth taking the time to consider some key features needed for a secure and enjoyable wagering experience.
Among the factors we look at when rating the top legal sportsbooks are:
- Easy in-app navigation and a clean interface
- Depth of odds and betting lines
- A variety of bet types
- Stringent security features
- Multiple deposit and withdrawal options
- Solid welcome offers and bonuses
Arkansas Sports Betting Laws
Arkansas has had legal retail sports wagering at three retail casinos since 2019. However, the November 2018 referendum that legalized the construction of four retail casinos did not include provisions for online sports betting, leaving an obvious hole in the state’s gambling policy.
A potential fix came in April 2021 when Representative Lee Johnson, a Republican, introduced HB 1942 to the Arkansas House of Representatives. Unfortunately, the House session did not go the way sports betting fans would have liked. Rather than being heard at all, the bill was totally passed over.
Lawmakers worked out the details a year later so users can legally place sports bets online now. Online wagering was legalized in Arkansas on Feb. 28, 2022, and launched in the state on March 6, 2022. Bettors just don’t have access to the nation’s most popular sportsbook apps as of yet.
| ✅ Approved Sports and Wagering Events | 🚫Unapproved Sports and Wagering Events |
|---|---|
| ✅ Major Sports Leagues (NFL, NBA, MLB, NFL) | 🚫 Esports |
| ✅ College Sports | 🚫 Politics |
| ✅ Olympics | 🚫 Awards ceremonies |
- Arkansas Sports Betting Tax Rate: Arkansas uses a graduated tax rate for casino gaming, including sports betting, of 13% for the first $150 million in gaming revenue and 20% for gaming revenue above $150 million.
- Tax Revenue Allocation: The majority of gaming tax revenue goes to the state’s general fund, with race purses, county and city governments the other beneficiaries; Tax revenue from Arkansas casinos is distributed as follows: AR General Revenue Fund 55%; Casino Host City 19.5%; AR Racing Commission Purse and Awards Fund 17.5%; Casino Host County 8%.
- Legal Betting Age: Must be 21+.
- Authorized Operators: Two racinos and one casino resort can operate retail and mobile sports betting.
- College Sports Betting: Betting on college sports in Arkansas is permitted, including for including in-state teams like the Razorbacks.
- Taxes and Fees: The Southland and Oakland gaming facilities are not required to pay any additional licensing fees to offer sports betting.
Who Regulates Arkansas Sports Betting?
The Arkansas Racing Commission is responsible for all licensing, fine adjudication, certification of casino games, appeals/rulings, and approval of all casino gaming plans.
How Arkansas Sports Betting Compares To Nearby Markets
Of course, Arkansas’ sports betting industry is better than those of states without any options. It still lags in several areas, though, compared to other states with legal sports wagering, especially when it comes to the number of sportsbooks available.
Major sportsbooks such as DraftKings, FanDuel, or Caesars aren’t likely to partner with Arkansas’s three casinos under final regulations that limit third-party sportsbooks to no more than 50% of net receipts from statewide online sports betting.
Compare that to Iowa, another state with 3 million residents. It doesn’t have the 50% cap on net receipts. As a result, bettors in that state have almost 20 sportsbooks to choose from—including all of the most popular brands.
Arkansas policies protect Saracen Casino Resort, Southland Casino Racing, and Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort, which control the state’s retail and online sports betting markets.
However, the next level of growth will require some policy changes. The best-known sportsbooks don’t see Arkansas as a viable state for expansion at the moment.
If and when major sportsbooks like DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM enter the Arkansas market, their arrival will benefit sports wagering enthusiasts. They’ll be able to choose from the best versions of various sportsbook apps or even wager on multiple apps while “line shopping” for the best available bets.
Arkansas’ other gambling offerings are middle-of-the-road. For example, the state has three retail casinos up and running, with a fourth casino expected to open eventually.
Horse racing and wagering are also legal under the pari-mutuel model, and the state has run an official lottery since 2009.
Fans of online casinos or poker have to turn to sweepstakes sites to get their fixes instead.
Pros and Cons of Arkansas Sports Betting
Arkansas is a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to sports betting successes and failures, with some good strides in some areas and lesser results in others.
Pros
College betting allowed without restrictions Multiple retail sites Variety of events available for betting
Cons
Only three sportsbook apps None of the major sportsbooks available in the state Revenue policies too restrictive
Successes
Going live with online sports betting was a big step in the right direction. It’s good to see legal betting options of any kind in the Natural State.
The state has friendly college sports betting policies as well. Not all states allow bets on in-state college programs or events. Arkansas does, so bets on the Razorbacks are available. That’s an important benefit in a state with no major pro sports franchises.
Failures
Arkansas is missing out on revenue because its policies are too prohibitive to attract the marquee companies.
We’d like to see Arkansas expand its online gambling operations to include licensed online casinos as well as legal mobile sports wagering.
Arkansas has great potential for growth, but lawmakers need to remove market barriers if they want the state to enjoy a robust revenue source.
Arkansas Sports Betting Revenue and Handle
There’s no denying that the arrival of the online sports betting market brought in much more state revenue compared to the days of kiosks and betting windows at the three casinos.
However, the state will continue to see stunted tax revenue under the current system.
Arkansas reported $41.8 million in April 2024 sports bets, up 64.1% from the same month in 2023. Comparing April’s $41.8 million to March 2024, betting was down about 16.5%. The betting pace will slow a bit as summer arrives in the Natural State.
| Year | Handle | Revenue | Taxes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $11,275,015 | $1,335,658 | $173,637 |
| 2020 | $32,882,808 | $4,306,525 | $583,374 |
| 2021 | $67,742,214 | $8,611,302 | $1,201,868 |
| 2022 | $185,818,483 | $17,982,684 | $2,510,337 |
| 2023 | $404,764,327 | $37,156,935 | $5,335,146 |
| 2024 (April) | $183,441,950 | $15,723,591 | $2,387,182 |
| Total | $885,924,797 | $85,116,695 | $12,191,544 |
Arkansas Responsible Gaming
Any state that has legal sports betting also needs to take responsible gaming measures. The Arkansas Problem Gambling Council is in place to promote financial literacy and guide people who are negatively impacted by gambling. The site includes a three-question survey to help bettors understand their risk level for problem gambling.
A helpline is available at 1-800-522-4700 or email [email protected] for more assistance.
The council’s state website also features national resources, including 1-800-GAMBLER, a chat option, and a link to gamtalk.org.
Arkansas Sports Betting: More Resources
Arkansas Sports Betting FAQ
Yes. Arkansas mobile sports betting is legal and available. Southland Casino Racing was the first operator to launch online sports betting in Arkansas.
You need to be 21 years of age or older and inside state lines to place a mobile sports bet in Arkansas.
Yes. Arkansas sports bettors can wager on college sports in the state. Bowl options are the Arkansas Razorbacks and Arkansas State Red Wolves. Add UAPB, Central Arkansas, and Little Rock as betting options when March Madness rolls around.
No, but you will need to be within state lines. Arkansas’s sportsbook apps use geolocation software to ensure that you don’t put money down outside state lines.
The Arkansas Racing Commission oversees and regulates legal online sportsbook apps in the state.
No, FanDuel is currently unavailable in Arkansas for online or retail sports betting.
Latest Arkansas Sports Betting News
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Arkansas Approves Mobile Sports Betting Ahead Of March Madness
Could Emergency Rules Have Arkansas Mobile Sports Betting Up And Running By March Madness?
Arkansas Mobile Sports Betting Vote Could Keep Big Sportsbooks Out
Arkansas and Additional Legal Sports Betting States
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