Arkansas Sports Betting

By Jack Kitson

Last Updated: Thursday 27th July 2023

Editor’s note: As of Jan. 12, 2019

In November 2018, a majority of Arkansas voters approved a constitutional amendment expanding gambling operations and authorized sports betting in the state.

Approved locations for expanded or new casino-style gambling and sports wagers are Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort near Little Rock, Southland Racino near Memphis, Tenn., and two proposed facilities in Jefferson and Pope counties.

Over-the-counter sports betting began July 1, 2019, at Oaklawn utilizing SBTech for its sportsbook provider. Southland is still trying to secure a technology partner for sports wagering so the Arkansas Racing Commission has yet to consider the venue’s sports betting plan.

In June, the commission approved Quapaw Nation’s license for its Pine Bluff facility – the Saracen Casino Annex -- in Jefferson County. It celebrated a soft open on Oct. 1 with slot machines and a “sample” sportsbook with a $500 limit on sports wagers. Across the street, ground was broken for the main casino, an 80,000-square-foot facility with 2,000 slot machines, 50 game tables and an International Game Technology (IGT) sportsbook. It is expected to open in mid-2020.

Is sports betting currently legal in the state?

Yes

When did Arkansas start accepting bets?

Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort accepted the first sports bet on July 1, 2019.

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What is the legal age to bet on sports in Arkansas?

21 years old to place a sports bet; 18-year-olds can bet on horse racing

What restrictions are there on sports betting in Arkansas

Bettors must set up their account in person at a sports betting venue, presenting valid identification.

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Is there mobile betting in the state?

No. Current rules do not allow for off-site, mobile sports betting. In April 2019, legislation to legalize mobile wagering died in committee in the state senate.

Although there are no online sports betting options available in the state current you can choose to go online if you wanted to bet on Horse Racing. Currently, in the state, you can open accounts with TVG, Bet America, Twinspires, and AM Wager.

Where can you open an account in Arkansas?

Two venues in the state are offering sports wagering: Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort and Saracen Casino Annex are the only venues to offer sports betting.

What do I need to open an account in Arkansas?

A valid photo ID.

What are the betting-related banking options in Arkansas?

N/A

The people behind this page

The BettingOdds.com's online gambling content experts who helped write, edit and check this page:

Jack Kitson

Jack Kitson is the Editor of Betting Odds and The Sack Race. He is an NCTJ-qualified sports journalist who has accumulated over 10 years of experience in the sports betting industry. His work on The Sack Race was honoured by a panel of experts at the Football Blogging Awards where it was named the Best Gambling Football Blog. Jack created the popular YouTube series ‘In The Managers Office’ featuring exclusives with Chris Wilder and Ian Holloway, while his work has been referenced within numerous publications such as The Guardian, BBC Sport, The New York Times, and Washington Post.