Here's What’s Next For DraftKings, FanDuel In Arkansas: Questions Answered

Article By

Larry Henry

Last Updated: Mar 4^th, 2026

Here's What’s Next For DraftKings, FanDuel In Arkansas: Questions Answered

The target date for state officials to sign off on DraftKings and FanDuel sports betting platforms in Arkansas remains this month's March Madness men's NCAA basketball tournament.

However, the decision to go live is “ultimately up too each casino,” once they have received state approval, Scott Hardin, Arkansas Racing Commission spokesman, told Gambling.com on Wednesday.

The launch date is one of several questions readers have asked Gambling.com as they await the launch of DraftKings and FanDuel branded apps in Arkansas.

Another frequent question concerns what will happened to a user's older Arkansas sports betting apps once those platforms are discontinued, to be replaced by new DraftKings/FanDuel partnership apps. (See answer below.)

Partnerships Approved

Late last month, the seven-person Racing Commission on a unanimous voice vote granted these two national online bookmakers permission to partner with Arkansas casinos in offering mobile sport betting platforms statewide. DraftKings is partnering with Southland Casino Hotel in West Memphis. FanDuel is joining with Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in Hot Springs.

The three licensed casinos in Arkansas already have their own online sports betting platforms—Southland (Betly Sportsbook Arkansas), Oaklawn (Oaklawn Sports) and Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Bluff (BetSaracen).

However, once the new partnerships that Southland and Oaklawn have formed with their national partners go live, the plan is for the older apps to be discontinued. Saracen will continue operating its BetSaracen app. Saracen's users will not be impacted by these changes.

Questions Answered

Below are some questions Gambling.com has received from readers, followed by answers on Wednesday from Harden, the Racing Commission spokesman.

How will the migration work for current Oaklawn and Betly account holders?

“The existing platforms will only stay operational for paying outstanding bets for a temporary period. As soon as the last bet is settled, the platforms will go dark. During this time, new players/funds will not be accepted as they will be directed to sign up on the new platforms. (There will be a period in which the old platforms are active only to pay outstanding wagers but the new apps are live.) Existing users will have to sign up for both new platforms.”

Is Betly leaving the market under that brand? Will Southland's new app be a "Southland Powered by DraftKings" app or will it still be tied in with Betly?

“We will have to refer to Southland on the specific wording of the new app/platform. While we have received paperwork from the company, portions of it are marked confidential under the competitive advantage FOIA exemption."

Has there been any word on whether Saracen is going to partner with a national operator?

"We have not received any indication from Saracen regarding a new third party partner."