Arkansas Sportsbooks | Guide to Arkansas Sports Betting 2025

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Sports betting in Arkansas is no longer just on the horizon—it's live and growing. Retail sportsbooks and sanctioned horse-race wagering have been legal for a while. Mobile and online sportsbooks are here too: the state authorized online wagering in early 2022, and several casino-partnered apps are operational. 

Let’s examine what that means for residents of the Natural State, including the legal landscape, the number of active operators (and how many could still enter), and what to watch for next. We’ll also update you on legal changes and the rollout of additional apps and platforms in Arkansas.

Check back here for the latest news on gambling and sports betting in Arkansas.

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Arkansas Sports Betting Summary: Top Things to Know

Is AR Sports Betting Legal?Yes
Launch DateMarch 5, 2022
Legal AR SportsbooksBetly, BetSaracen, Oaklawn Sports

Sports betting is entirely legal in Arkansas: you can place bets in-person, online, and via mobile. Retail sportsbooks operate at three casino locations: Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort (Hot Springs), Saracen Casino Resort (Pine Bluff), and Southland Casino Racing (West Memphis).

With mobile and online sports betting now legal in Arkansas, every casino in the state has launched its own betting app. 

The Arkansas Racing Commission regulates sports betting.

State of Arkansas Sports Betting

Arkansas sports betting is legal in all forms: online, mobile, and in-person. You must be 21 or over to register for an online sportsbook account and place bets.

Although online sports betting is legal and live, the market is relatively small and tightly controlled. Only three sportsbooks are accepting online bets:

  • Betly
  • Oaklawn
  • Saracen

These are the online counterparts to the three retail sportsbooks and casinos open since 2018. In 2018, Arkansas made a key amendment to its gambling laws following a public referendum. Under the amendments, retail sportsbooks were permitted at the state’s land-based casinos.

The Arkansas Racing Commission regulates sportsbooks, casinos, and racinos. The Commission also oversees all thoroughbred horse racing and greyhound racing. Pari-mutuel betting is permitted at all racinos and racetracks. However, no online casino apps are currently available.

Latest Arkansas Sports Betting News & Updates

Compare Arkansas Sports Betting to Other States

Despite its online launch, Arkansas’s mobile market is less competitive or expansive than many other states. There are fewer choices and no major national brands.

This is due to a significant regulatory hurdle: online operators in Arkansas must share at least 51% of their revenue with the partnered casino licensee. This revenue-sharing burden is much steeper than in comparable regulated states (like Tennessee, Kentucky, and Mississippi), discouraging national brands from entering the state's market.

How We Rate & Review Arkansas Sportsbooks

Here are the factors our experts consider when rating sportsbooks around the U.S.:

  • Sports & Markets: Arkansas sportsbooks should offer various betting markets on the NFL, MLB, NBA, and college sports.
  • Promotions: Come for the welcome bonuses, stay for the bonus bets and loyalty programs. Rewards schemes are an excellent way for AR gamblers to earn extra cash. You’ll earn player points every time you place bets. You can redeem points for cash or unlock special bonuses such as faster cashouts and birthday offers.
  • Payments: Fund your online sportsbook account easily via debit card, e-Wallet, or prepaid card.
  • Customer Support: Access various support options, including 24-hour live chat and email.
  • Site UX: You should be able to find your preferred markets instantly, add them to your bet slip, cash out wagers, or opt in to a promotion.
  • Odds Value: Shop around for the best betting odds on your favorite sports, including enhanced odds and profit boosts.

Arkansas Sports Betting at a Glance

Is AR Sports Betting Legal?Yes
Launch DateMarch 5, 2022
No. of AR Sportsbooks3
Legal Betting Age21
Sports Betting BillAmendment 100
Total Licenses4 (one per casino)
Regulatory BodyArkansas Racing Commission
Sports Betting Revenue$1.5M (July 2025)
AR Population3.1M

Arkansas Sports Betting Laws & Legislation

Sports betting in Arkansas was approved via a statewide voter referendum on Amendment 100 to the state constitution. The amendment authorized four casino licenses in Arkansas: Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort (Hot Springs), Southland Casino Racing (West Memphis), and Saracen Casino Resort (Pine Bluff). One additional license is available in Pope County, but it is still pending launch.

It also legalized in-person sports wagering at casinos and assigned oversight to the Arkansas Racing Commission (ARC). Retail sportsbooks began opening in 2019 and 2020.

Each active casino could partner with up to two online operators, which ARC must approve. At least 51% of net sports-betting revenue must go to the casino licensee. The amendment established a 13% tax rate on the first $150M of net gaming revenue per year and 20% on any revenue above $150M.

In 2021, the ARC began to review whether to expand sports betting online. By early 2022, the online and mobile betting market was allowed to open. This expanded the 2018 constitutional authorization to include online sports betting within the ARC’s purview.

How Sports Betting Became Legal in Arkansas: Timeline

  • March 5, 2022: Online betting launches with the rollout of Betly.
  • Feb. 22, 2022: The Arkansas Joint Budget Committee formally adopted these rules, allowing the online and mobile market to open.
  • Feb. 17, 2022: The legislative Joint Budget Committee’s Administrative Rule Review Subcommittee approves the key sports-betting rule, Rule 20, sending it to the full committee for a final sign-off.
  • Jan. 21, 2022: The Arkansas Racing Commission schedules an emergency meeting for the following week to consider “a correction” in the mobile-wagering rule’s language, changing net-gaming “revenue” to net-gaming “receipts.”
  • Jan. 4, 2022: Sen. Mark Johnson (R-Little Rock) challenges the constitutionality of mobile wagering, saying that betting would physically take place away from “a facility where casino gaming is conducted,” as required in the state constitution.
  • Dec. 30, 2021: The ARC approves draft regulations to permit online and mobile sports betting, including the 51% provision.
  • Dec. 20, 2021: Several national online bookmakers form a coalition ("Bet on Arkansas") to defeat the 51% profit-sharing provision. The alliance includes Bally Bet, BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, and Fanatics Sportsbook.
  • Nov. 18, 2021: At a Racing Commission meeting, national online sportsbooks object to language in the proposed mobile-wagering rule that would give local casinos 51% of profits when partnering with out-of-state bookmakers. 
  • Nov. 9, 2021: The Arkansas Racing Commission is expected to vote on a rule change legalizing mobile sports betting.
  • July 1, 2019: Retail betting begins at Oaklawn.
  • Nov. 6, 2018: Voters approve Amendment 100, which allows casinos to open retail betting locations in Arkansas.
  • April 10, 2017: Act 1075 authorizing betting on daily fantasy sports is passed.
  • December 2013: Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort launches first horse racing betting app in Arkansas, Oaklawn Anywhere.

Where Can I Bet on Sports in Arkansas?: Retail AR Sportsbook Locations

Arkansas has three casinos or racinos, each with its own retail sportsbook. A fourth casino and sportsbook, Legends Resort & Casino, got the green light in 2021.

SportsbookCasinoAddressOpening Date
OaklawnOaklawn Racing Casino Resort2705 Central Ave, Hot Springs, AR 71901July 2019
BetlySouthland Casino Racing1550 N. Ingram Blvd. West Memphis, AR 72301Jan. 2020
SaracenSaracen Casino Resort3513 Market St Pine Bluff, AR 71601Oct. 2020

Top Arkansas Teams to Bet On

Amendment 100 allows bettors to wager on college sports, including in-state teams.

The University of Arkansas boasts several Razorback teams, predominantly in basketball and football. The Razorbacks basketball team has seven conference tournament titles, most recently in 2000. Many Razorbacks stars have gone on to enjoy success in the NBA.

Legal Alternatives to Arkansas Sports Betting

Arkansas gamblers already have access to full sports betting at retail outlets in the state. The state's first online and mobile sportsbooks will likely offer the same range of markets. You’ll also be able to wager on college sports in Arkansas, but politics may be excluded.

Daily Fantasy Sports Betting

The Arkansas legislature passed DFS back in 2017. Under Act 1075 of 2017, entering paid DFS contests within Arkansas is legal. Operators are taxed 8% on gross revenues, although activity has been slow in Arkansas. DraftKings and FanDuel wasted no time in opening their sites to AR fantasy enthusiasts. You can pay to join real-money fantasy sports pools to win cash in NFL or MLB contests

Horse Race Betting

Betting at ADW (Advance Deposit Wagering) sites in Arkansas is already legal. You can place real-money pari-mutuel bets on races across the US and overseas. Sites like TVG offer odds and markets on all tracks, including thoroughbred meets in Arkansas.

Responsible Gambling in Arkansas

We only recommend signing up for legal sportsbooks in Arkansas. While offshore sportsbooks are available in Arkansas, you can’t guarantee that your funds are secure and that the gaming can be trusted. 

At legalized sportsbooks, you get:

  • Reliable odds and software
  • Accurate payouts and fast cashout times
  • Responsive customer support
  • Bonuses and promotional payouts

Online sports betting should be fun, but that's not for all gamblers. Gambling addiction affects people nationwide, but U.S. sportsbooks will provide responsible gambling resources to get you help fast.AR mobile sportsbooks supply links to problem gambling charities. You’ll also be able to set your own deposit limits or request a time-out.

If you need help controlling your play, contact the National Council on Problem Gambling in Arkansas at 1-800-522-4700.

FAQs

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