Online sports betting in Arkansas

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Live sports betting is offered in Arkansas and is accessible from anywhere in the state, both in person at regional casinos and online. With its legalized sports betting market, Arkansas has set an example. Betting has been permitted in the state since 2019 for residents and guests.

Prior to March 2022, there were only three casinos in Arkansas that offered in-person sports betting. However, Betly and BetSaracen are now accessible for online sports betting in Arkansas as well.

Best online sports betting sites in Arkansas

DraftKings Arkansas Best betting site for beginners
FanDuel Arkansas Best betting site for Daily Fantasy Sports
PointsBet Arkansas Best betting site for NHL
BetRivers Arkansas Best betting site for MLS

The market for online gambling in Arkansas is still developing, as was already mentioned. Although the online gambling industry began to develop in early 2022, the three casinos have been taking retail bets ever since they first launched.

This indicates that it hasn’t had enough time to take on its final shape. Here are several sports betting websites that are regularly introduced in other states, including those that are already accessible in Arkansas:

Betly Arkansas

Delaware North, the owner of numerous casinos across the country, uses Betly as its house brand. Betly only recently began operations in West Virginia and is not a significant player in the US sports betting sector.

However, Delaware North also owns Southland Casino. As a result of the legalization of online sportsbooks in Arkansas, the company’s leadership decided to consider expanding its activities to Arkansas. It took some time to navigate the various app store procedures, but now that it is, anyone in Arkansas who wants to can enjoy the ongoing NBA playoffs and other gambling chances by downloading the Betly.com app right away.

📋 Betting operator: Betly Arkansas
🏅 Welcome promotion: 250$ risk-free first bet
📱 Has mobile app: Yes
📅 Live in Arkansas: Yes

BetSaracen Arkansas

On May 10, Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Bluff opened its online sports betting site, BetSaracen. Regulator delays hindered a launch that was intended to correspond with March Madness. Saracen Casino had hoped to introduce BetSaracen by March Madness, but it took longer than expected for the software to become operational when mobile sports betting became permitted.

The delay infuriated Arkansas gamblers, who wondered why Saracen management would offer such a short-term guarantee if they couldn’t deliver. Finally, launching in Arkansas, BetSaracen increases competition in the state’s legal mobile sports betting market.

📋 Betting operator: BetSaracen Arkansas
🏅 Welcome promotion: 100% deposit match up to 500$
📱 Has mobile app: Yes
📅 Live in Arkansas: Yes

FanDuel Arkansas

The Daily Fantasy Sports operator, FanDuel, has evolved over the past several years into a comprehensive gambling business. It has risen to the top of the industry in several regions of the country thanks to its user-friendly app and several promotions.

In the past, FanDuel has collaborated with IGT, a provider of gaming technology, and IGT is responsible for running the sports betting services at Saracen Casino Resort and Southland Casino Racing.

📋 Betting operator: FanDuel Arkansas
🏅 Expected promotion: 1000$ No Sweat Bet
📱 Has mobile app: Yes
📅 Live in Arkansas: No

DraftKings Arkansas

The Daily Fantasy Sports service provider turned sportsbook, DraftKings, has recently risen to the top of the US sports betting field. Due to its daily fantasy sports operations, which have been legally permitted in the state since 2017, DraftKings is already a well-known brand in Arkansas.

In 2020, SBTech, a sports betting partner of Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort, merged with DraftKings. The fact that DraftKings was present at the Arkansas Racing Commission meeting in December 2021 is almost proof that the company intends to operate in Arkansas.

📋 Betting operator: DraftKings Arkansas
🏅 Expected promotion: 100$ risk-free bet
📱 Has mobile app: Yes
📅 Live in Arkansas: No

BetRivers Arkansas

In 2019, BetRivers, a member of the Rush Street Interactive family, opened its doors in Pennsylvania and Indiana and has since been growing. Several states, like New Jersey, Louisiana, New York, Arizona, Colorado, and the Canadian province of Ontario, offer access to BetRivers’ online betting site.

It is anticipated that BetRivers will continue to expand states to its list of accessible locales, with a potential debut in Kansas later in 2022, followed by Ohio and Maryland.

📋 Betting operator: BetRivers Arkansas
🏅 Expected promotion: Bet 30$ get 60$
📱 Has mobile app: Yes
📅 Live in Arkansas: No

PointsBet Arkansas

Although PointsBet began in Australia, it hasn’t become well-established in the United States. In New York, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Kansas, Iowa, West Virginia, Indiana, Colorado, Michigan, Virginia, and Illinois, the Arkansas betting app is accessible with a license from the relevant state authorities.

It is anticipated to go on sale in Arizona, Maryland, Ohio, and Tennessee in the upcoming months. And in April, the Canadian province of Ontario hosted a launch. For the purpose of appealing to the US market, the business has enlisted the assistance of two American sports legends: former NFL All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis and NBA Hall of Famer Allen Iverson.

📋 Betting operator: PointsBet Arkansas
🏅 Welcome promotion: Up to 1000$ deposit match bonus
📱 Has mobile app: Yes
📅 Live in Arkansas: No

Yes, online sports betting is legal in Arkansas. However, there are presently only two betting sites available in Arkansas: Betly and BetSaracen.

Arkansas authorized sports betting in November 2018. However, because wagers had to be made at one of the three casinos in the state, the original legal market was rather confined.

Although this approach was an improvement over nothing, it was far from ideal. The fact that changes have already been made is not surprising. Most significantly, a rule modification enacted in late 2021 allowed mobile betting sites to go live in late February 2022. Early in March 2022, Betly, the first online betting site in the state, started taking wagers.

How do I register and start betting on AR betting sites?

It’s quick and easy to open an Arkansas online sports betting account. Spend some time exploring several Arkansas betting sites prior to joining to choose the operator that suit you the most. To register you just need to:

  1. Pick an AR betting site from our list: The first thing you should do is choose your preferred Arkansas sportsbook. From our provided list, pick a betting site of your preference. Conduct some research, so you can determine which website provides the best deals and which will also offer you bonuses that will benefit you.
  2. Ensure the betting website accepts your chosen payment method: You must ensure that your preferred website offers you a variety of payment methods. Several choices, including credit cards, internet banking, PayPal, etc., some of which transfer money instantaneously, will be presented to you. Pick the one that will serve you the best.
  3. Open an account with your personal details: To sign up, click “Open Account” or “Join Now.” You’ll be required to give some details, including your name, address, phone number, and the last four digits of your Social Security number to verify your age and identity.
  4. Deposit funds: You should now add money to your account after selecting a payment option. You will start wagering with these funds. In accordance with the money you have placed, you may also be eligible to receive bonuses.
  5. Start betting on sports online: You are now prepared to wager after you have placed your funds, and they have appeared in your account balance. Choose the sport or game you want to wager on, input your wager amount, and submit it. Gamble responsibly and have fun.

There aren’t many limitations in Arkansas’ sports betting legislation. Only virtual sports and political elections are specifically prohibited as betting events by law.

In every US state, including Arkansas, betting on football is the most common sport. The following sports teams are among the others on which Arkansans can wager:

  • Arkansas Glaciercats – A Western Pro Hockey League team called the Arkansas GlacierCats played in Little Rock, Arkansas. The old Barton Coliseum hosted GlacierCats games in 1998 and 1999. After the East Coast Hockey League’s Arkansas RiverBlades started playing at the recently opened Alltel Arena in North Little Rock, which is located directly across the Arkansas River from downtown Little Rock, the GlacierCats, who had enjoyed success in their first season, were forced to put an end to their operations. Ed Novess and Dan Hart, both from Austin, Texas, owned the squad.
  • Arkansas River Blades – The North Little Rock, Arkansas-based Arkansas RiverBlades are a professional ice hockey team. For the 1999–2000 season, the East Coast Hockey League welcomed the RiverBlades as an expansion team. The Alltel Arena, which had just opened, hosted their home games. The team’s initial name was “Arkansas RazorBlades,” and its mascot was a razorback hog. The Arkansas GlacierCats, who were in their second season and played across town, faced off against the RiverBlades. The two teams frequently played on the same nights, and each grew its own fan base. After only two seasons of play, the GlacierCats disbanded the following year because they were unable to compete with the RiverBlades and their brand-new arena.
  • Arkansas Travelers – The North Little Rock, Arkansas-based Arkansas Travelers, sometimes referred to as The Travs, are a Minor League Baseball team. The team replaced the Southern Association Double-A Little Rock Travelers, who disbanded following the 1961 campaign. In 1963, they came back as the International League’s Arkansas Travelers. The name comes from the traditional song “The Arkansas Traveler” in both spellings. The Indianapolis Indians and Buffalo Bisons are the two teams with the longest-running nicknames in minor league baseball history, respectively. The Travelers have never adopted a new moniker.
  • Arkansas Razorbacks – The University of Arkansas is represented by the American football team known as the Arkansas Razorbacks. The Razorbacks participate in both the Southeastern Conference’s Western Division and the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Football Bowl Subdivision. In 1964, the Football Writers Association of America and the Helms Athletic Foundation both rewarded the program with a national championship, and in 1977, the Foundation for the Analysis of Competitions and Tournaments did the same. The institution disputes the 1977 title. With 58 All-Americans on its roster, Arkansas has won 13 conference championships and has an overall record of 731-525-40.
  • Arkansas Fort Smith Lions – In NCAA Division II collegiate athletics, the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith in Fort Smith, Arkansas, is represented by the Arkansas-Fort Smith Lions. UAFS formally attained provisional NCAA Division II status in the fall of 2009. In 2010, the preliminary status was supposed to be dropped. The University filed an appeal after its membership application was turned down by the NCAA Division II Membership Committee on July 9, 2010. Full membership in NCAA Division II was granted to the university on July 8, 2011. Prior to this, the university participated in the Bi-State Conference of Region II of the National Junior College Athletic Association.

Best bonus types in Arkansas sports betting

Sports betting incentives are one of the primary distinctions between traditional land-based and online betting. Due to the range of bonuses available, modern gamblers would want to place most of their bets online.

But how familiar are you with the various betting promotions? As simple as it may seem, it is not. Here is a guide to the world of sports betting bonuses in Arkansas:

  • Odds boosts – Boosted odds are perfect for you if you’re the kind of consumer who can’t resist a good offer. Sportsbooks occasionally increase their betting odds on specific outcomes. This is known as a bet boost, odds boost, or improved odds. Increased odds are available on many different bets, including totals and over/under, point spread, Moneyline, and specific prop bets on a team or individual. They boost your possible payoff. Increased odds are intended to persuade gamblers to place bets on events or ideas that they might not otherwise be interested in.
  • Loyalty & VIP programs – Sports betting VIP programs are computerized tracking systems that keep tabs on players’ activities and give out prizes in accordance with them. Online gamblers gain status points when they place bets and receive more valuable gifts as they advance through the several VIP levels. Bettors earn more points the more they place bets with money. Customers can exchange their reward points for cash or currency alternatives like site credit. Additionally, based on their gambling volume, online sportsbooks frequently give their patrons a variety of other benefits. Free bets, reimbursements for net losses, invitations to special events, and even opulent presents are examples of common sports betting incentives.
  • No deposit bonuses – A certain sum of money that is credited to the user’s account for engaging in a particular activity is known as a “no-deposit incentive.” You can use it however you see fit, such as placing several bets on the slot machines, on board games, or on various lotteries. A no deposit bonus for live casinos is quite uncommon. Typically, this is a small sum that ranges between $10 and $20. But even this little bit will get you acquainted with the platform.
  • Free bets – The basis of a free bet bonus is that the sportsbook offers you the chance to place a free bet of a certain sum, but you must adhere to the wagering requirements. These terms can vary greatly depending on the specific sportsbook. Frequently, you will have to stake the free bet amount multiple times (2–5) on events with odds that are at least predetermined by the bookmaker. You will only be eligible for the free bet in this situation. You place a free bet on a particular result and wait for the event to conclude before using the free bet. Furthermore, you have nothing to lose if your wager is unsuccessful. If it wins, you will receive the net winnings from the wager without deducting the value of the free bet.
  • Risk-free bets – A risk-free bet is one in which, even if you lose, you still receive a payout. This can be a free bet or a site credit. The best risk-free bet offers are those that include site credit or cash because the user keeps both their initial investment and any winning bets. Free bet offers that come with no risk to you are less advantageous for bettors because you only receive your gains from winning free bets back, not your stake.
  • Deposit match bonuses – In a deposit match bonus, as the name of the promotion implies, a sportsbook gives you a bonus by matching your deposit. The conditions of the bonus will determine the amount that the book will match. This will, however, always be expressed as a percentage. When a sportsbook offers you a 20% match, for instance, your bonus will be equal to 20% of your first deposit. Deposit match bonuses, usually referred to as first investment bonuses when provided as a welcome bonus, will always match your initial deposit when provided as such by a sportsbook. As part of continuous promotions, certain sportsbooks will also give deposit match incentives to current customers.

Can I bet on Daily Fantasy Sports legally in AR?

Yes, Daily Fantasy Sports betting sites like FanDuel and DraftKings are live and entirely legal in the state of Arkansas. If there is one thing that can be said about Arkansans, it is that they enjoy good competition.

DFS operators is subject to an 8% tax rate on activity, which would ensure a consistent stream of money for the state.

Retail sports betting locations in Arkansas

There are currently three different retail sports betting locations in Arkansas where players can enjoy in-person wagering: Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort, Southland Casino Hotel, and Saracen Casino Resort.

Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort

In Hot Springs, Arkansas, there is a thoroughbred racecourse and casino called Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort, originally known as Oaklawn Park Race Track. The Arkansas Derby serves as the capstone of “The Racing Festival of the South,” a four-day racing series.

On May 21, 2021, the Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in Hot Springs formally inaugurated its brand-new, opulent hotel, spa, and event space, following an expansion project that started in 2019. In addition to offering racing, gaming, dining, sports betting, and entertainment, Oaklawn is a top tourist destination where you can stay, play, and unwind.

The resort is close to Hot Springs National Park, which was the country’s first national park established. Spas, restaurants, craft breweries, and shops may be found on tree-lined, historic Bathhouse Row on Central Avenue. The Grand Promenade in the park is another option for visitors, where you can stop to enjoy the thermal springs or climb to the Hot Springs Mountain Tower for a breathtaking perspective of the Ouachita Mountains.

Southland Casino Hotel

In West Memphis, Arkansas, there is a casino, a buffet, and a greyhound track called Southland Casino Racing. The gaming facility with the fastest growth in the Mid-South has more than 1,700 gaming machines, including well-known games like Wheel of Fortune and Reel’em In.

Additionally, you may stream live greyhound racing, wager on thoroughbred and greyhound simulcast races, and watch special events like the Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup. Visit one of the many wonderful restaurants, such as Sammy Hagar’s Red Rocker Bar & Grill, the World Market Buffet, or Bourbon Street Steakhouse.

Saracen Casino Resort

The first independent casino in Arkansas was the Saracen Casino Resort. It is proudly situated in Pine Bluff and has an 80,000 square foot gaming space with more than 1,900 slots, close to 40 table games, and a special poker room. To experience all the available game modes, it would take more than one trip.

The Saracen Casino offers a variety of thrilling gaming options, such as rolling the dice and pulling the lever on a slot machine. Take your pick from thousands of the newest slot machines while strolling around the chic ambience. You may also play poker in the chic Poker Room or play high-intensity table games there.

Tax revenues made from online betting in AR

Arkansas’s total tax revenue increased from 119.67 thousand U.S. dollars in March 2022 to 120.3 thousand U.S. dollars in April 2022. Sports betting is not subject to any additional licensing fees at the Southland and Oakland gambling establishments.

For the ability to run casinos, including betting activities, applicants for the extra two casino licenses must pay an application fee of up to $250,000. According to Rule 6.030, the first $150 million in net casino gaming receipts are subject to a 13 percent tax, and the next $150 million in net casino gaming receipts are subject to a 20 percent tax. The following is how the state of Arkansas distributes its betting tax revenue:

  • Arkansas General Revenue Fund: 55%
  • Arkansas Racing Commission Purse and Awards Fund: 17,5%
  • Casino Host City: 19,5%
  • Casino Host County: 8%

The latest news in Arkansas sports betting

On September 19, 2022, the state’s three brick-and-mortar and two online sports betting sites handled $10.2 million in wagers in August. As a result, $1 million in revenue and almost $100,000 in taxes were generated.

Arkansas has recently legalized internet sports betting, with the Southland Casino Resort in West Memphis accepting the first wagers. As more betting sites launch in the Natural State, the market may now anticipate a significant expansion.

While they wait for the launch of additional legitimate online sports betting sites and applications, players can place real money wagers by playing Daily Fantasy sports. Since 2017, Arkansas has permitted the use of DFS websites, allowing users to enjoy services like DraftKings and FanDuel.

FAQ

Who regulates online sports betting in AR?

The Arkansas Racing Commission regulates online sports betting in Arkansas. The ARC oversees all gambling in the state despite its nominal restriction to racing-based gaming, as is the case in many states without a separate gambling commission. The Commission established the regulations for online sports betting in Arkansas, and it will also oversee the expanding industry.

Is it safe to bet on sports in Arkansas?

Since November 2018, sports betting has been safe and legal in Arkansas, and it is offered at three land-based casino and two online betting sites. A constitutional amendment to broaden the range of activities at the three casino locations in the state was adopted by voters with 54% of the vote in favor.

How old should I be to bet on sports in AR?

To wager on sports in Arkansas, a person must be 21 years of age or older. Younger adults can participate in some gambling activities. Lotteries, bingo, and charitable gambling are normally only available to gamblers over the age of 18. But only those who are at least 21 years old are permitted to participate in other types of gaming.