Larry has decades of experience in the U.S. gambling industry, with a deep understanding of how casinos operate and evolve under changing regulations.Drawing on years of insight from Las Vegas and beyond - including work with the Las Vegas Sun, Reno Gazette-Journal and KFSM-TV 5NEWS - he specialises in uncovering the stories, trends and decisions that drive the casino industry across North America.
Arkansas’ Saracen Casino Resort has launched its online sports betting app.
The mobile app and web platform became available Monday under the BetSaracen brand.
BetSaracen is the second mobile sports betting platform to launch in Arkansas.
A browser-based Betly Sportsbook became available online March 5, one day after mobile sports betting was legalized in the state. The Betly app later was made available for smartphone users.
Betly Sportsbook is owned by Buffalo, New York-based Delaware North. The mobile app and online site are hosted in Arkansas by Southland Casino Racing, a Delaware North casino and greyhound track in West Memphis. Dog racing is ending at Southland in December.
Arkansas’ third casino, Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in Hot Springs, is expected to launch a sports betting app in the next few weeks.
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR) 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. This promotional offer is not available in DC, Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.
Oaklawn’s Horse Racing App Available
The Hot Springs resort already offers Oaklawn Anywhere, an app allowing bettors to wager on horse races. Sports bets are not permitted on horse racing apps.
The historic racetrack at Oaklawn is home to the Arkansas Derby, an important annual prelude to the Triple Crown races now underway.
This year’s Triple Crown began with last Saturday’s Kentucky Derby, won by long shot Rich Strike.
The Triple Crown will be rounded out by the Preakness Stakes on May 21 and Belmont Stakes on June 11.
Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs Apply. Play Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (CO, DC, IL, KY, LA, MD, MS, NJ, OH, PA, VA, WV, WY), Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS), 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI), Call 877-718-5543 or visit morethanagame.nc.gov. (NC), Call or Text 800-889-9789 (TN).
The rule change for mobile wagering required legislative approval before it could be implemented.
On Feb. 22, the legislative Joint Budget Committee gave the final OK to mobile sports wagering. After a mandatory filing period in the secretary of state’s office, mobile wagering became legal in Arkansas. When the mandatory waiting period ended March 4, Southland launched its Betly browser-based sports betting platform the next day.
Saracen had hoped to have its mobile platform available in time for the March Madness basketball tournaments. However, the casino faced delays caused by approval from app stores and vendors such as credit card companies.
GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, (800) 327-5050 or visit http://gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit http://ccpg.org (CT), or visit http://www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/WY). Void in ONT/OR/NH. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new customer. Must register new account to receive reward Token. Must select Token BEFORE placing min. $5 bet to receive $300 in Bonus Bets if your bet wins. Min. -500 odds req. Token and Bonus Bets are single-use and non-withdrawable. Token expires 2/1/26. Bonus Bets expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: http://sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos. Ends 1/25/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.
51% Profit-Sharing Provision Unique To Arkansas
The Racing Commission mobile wagering rule change includes a provision requiring national online bookmakers, such as FanDuel and DraftKings, to share 51% of profits when partnering with a local casino on a mobile app. These national bookmakers normally share 5-15% of profits.
Local casinos argued the majority of profits should remain in-state, where thousands of casino workers are employed.
Arkansas is the only state with profit-sharing provision established by a regulatory rule. The Racing Commission oversees all gaming matters in the state.
To date, the only online bookmakers operating in Arkansas are those associated with local casinos.
A lobbyist for the national bookmakers told Gambling.com he will seek to overturn the 51% profit-sharing provision at the legislative session beginning in 2023.
