Arkansas Sports Betting

Arkansas sports betting market has been developing slowly, but it is accessible in various ways, including casinos, daily fantasy sports sites, and online betting. Horse racing and off-track betting are also popular in the State of Arkansas.

There are a few options of sportsbooks that provide sports betting, including Betly Sportsbooks and BetSacaren (IGT), as well as in-person retail locations like Oaklawn Sportsbook, Betly Sportsbook, and Saracen Sportsbook. Daily Fantasy Sports are also accessible in Arkansas through companies such as FanDuel and OwnerBox. In the future, more choices are expected to enter the market. Customers should do extensive research before making any sports wagers so they only choose a reputable site.

Legal Online Arkansas Sports Betting

Is sports betting legal in Arkansas? Yes, Arkansas sports betting is legal.

In 1909, the United States saw three major gambling phases. Gambling was subsequently prohibited in the United States by the end of 1910. However, Prohibition was repealed in the 1930s, and horse racing and low-stake charity gaming were permitted in most states by the 1950s. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan agreed to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA).

In 2018, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (also known as PASPA) was revoked, allowing states to pick on an individual basis whether they allow sports betting or not. Arkansas sports betting has been legal since then. You can bet on sports like basketball, football, baseball, and more. People in Arkansas enjoy a variety of sports.

However, the growth of sports betting has been slow. The reason for the slow growth of Arkansas sports betting is that an unusual rule has been put in place for Arkansas sports betting. The rule grants Arkansas casinos 51% of all profits when they partner with popular online booking websites. Many famous booking websites have been opposing the rule. They decided not to operate in Arkansas in opposition. This has slowed the growth of Arkansas sports betting.

Anyone wishing to participate in Arkansas sports betting must be over 21 years old and physically present in the state. Customers should do extensive research on any sports betting site they are considering using to ensure that it is a reputable business. Any betting should be done responsibly at all times.

Due to the 51 percent rule, Arkansas sports gambling has progressed slowly. However, Arkansas has seen a rise in sports betting and is anticipating further development. A few sportsbooks provide sports betting, including Betly Sportsbooks and BetSacaren (IGT), as well as in-person retail providers.

How to Pick an Arkansas Sports Betting Site

Choosing the appropriate Arkansas sports betting site necessitates careful selection. Not all Arkansas sports betting sites are the same, and some are better suited to specific sorts of bettors than others. There are several things to consider when looking for a site that offers Arkansas sports betting.

Some Arkansas sports betting sites offer customer support to help them game responsibly. There are resources available like FAQ sections. Many Arkansas sports betting sites have a live support option available every day all day. Customers can ask questions and receive guidance.

Another important factor is security. Some Arkansas sports betting sites offer a secure banking system. A secure banking system is crucial for Arkansas sports betting and any other sports betting. Sites that do not offer this are not safe and should not be trusted.

Until March 2022, only retail sportsbooks were available. As of March 2022, the following betting sites are accessible:

Betly Sportsbook

Betly is a small Arkansas sports betting site accessible both as a retail sportsbook and online as a website. It has received some criticism for its lack of selection of bets. It however includes popular sports, like baseball, basketball, hockey, football, and golf. It’s owned by one of the world’s largest independent food and beverage companies, Delaware North. Betly Sportsbook was first established in West Virginia in 2019. Betly Sportsbook has not acquired many user reviews and feedback.

Betly’s interface has been rated as user-friendly. It has a simple system and visual design, and a modern interface. There is a FAQ section to help customers if they have any queries. Customer service is also available to assist users. Betly put measures in place to assist customers in gaming responsibly. As such, customers can set limits to their betting or request to be excluded from the service. There are resources and points of contact on their website that provide support to any concerned or troubled customers.

Betly offers secure banking options. The minimum deposit at Betly Sportsbook is $10. There are no fees for either deposit or withdrawal. Banking options for sports betting at Betly include online banking. Online banking allows users to directly transfer money from or to their accounts. It may be done through an internet platform or mobile app. More options are debit and credit cards. Betly also has a Play + card. This is a prepaid e-wallet card that some customers prefer to use for convenience. It can be funded electronically. PayNearMe is also an option. This allows users to send cash into their accounts.

BetSacaren (IGT)

BetSacaren newly joined as an Arkansas sports betting site. From cycling, to tennis, to football, BetSacaren offers a variety of popular sports as well as college sports. BetSacaren is available as an easy-to-use app with a user-friendly interface.

BetSacaren provides customers with support through their email address, telephone, and in-person.

Banking options at BetSacaren are secure. Currently, deposits are accepted through credit and debit cards. The online wallet Skrill. Skrill is an e-wallet that provides online transfers and payments. PayNearMe has become available at BetSacaren as well, so customers get vouchers and send money to their accounts using cash. Other payment and withdrawal methods should be available soon, with PayPal on the list to join soon.

More sportsbooks are likely to join Arkansas. For example, one of the most popular sportsbook, Caesar Sportsbook. Caesar has massively expanded in recent years. They offer secure payment options, good competitive odds, and much customer service and assistance to help customers bet responsibly.

Another Arkansas sports betting site that might join soon is FanDuel. FanDuel is a reliable platform with security measures in place for their payments. They have good competitive odds and a wide selection of markets. Their customer support is always available. Daily Fantasy Games are currently available through FanDuel.

BetMGM might also be on the horizon. BetMGM Sports has many sports available. As such, they’re one of the most popular sportsbooks in America, and will likely be a popular Arkansas sports betting site. Their interface is easily usable, and their customer service is always available. They use high-security measures.

History of Betting in Arkansas

It’s important to learn about Arkansas’s betting laws if you want to comprehend how Arkansas sports betting laws came into being.

In 1874, only lotteries were forbidden when it came to Arkansas betting. Arkansas sports betting wasn’t quite recognized as separate at the time. Other types of betting were allowed. The lottery was vaguely defined. Horse racing took place in Arkansas. There were anti-gambling laws established in the 1880s-1890s. However, they were repealed in 1903.

In 1904 and 1905, horse racing became popular. However, due to conflicts, horse racing was made illegal in 1907 in the state of Arkansas. Horse racing venues were forced to shut down.

In 1909, three distinct booms in gambling activity occurred. Gambling was prohibited throughout the United States in 1910. In 1929, new legislation was passed that restored horse racing to legality. However, Governor Parnell rejected this bill for a second time. Five years later, horse racing started again while it was still prohibited. In 1935, horse racing was legalized as pari-mutual betting. This was due to Act 46, which Governor Junius Futrell signed. The legislation since reviewed horse racing rules.

Gambling Prohibition was lifted in 1933. Most states permitted horse racing and low-stake charity gaming by 1950.

In 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (also known as the IGRA), which was designed to help promote tribal development. The Tribal-State Gaming Compact is a contract that every indigenous tribe that wishes to own or operate casinos must sign.

In 1992, the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Patents, Copyrights, and Trademarks determined that sports betting had negative consequences and recognized it as a national problem. As a result, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA) was enacted. This prohibited American participation in sports betting apart from the states licensed by Montana, Delaware, Oregon, and Nevada.

Lieutenant Governor Bill Halter brought up a discussion about a statewide lottery in 2006. He intended the money to be used for educational purposes. This became Amendment 87 and was passed in 2008.

Years later, in March 2009, arises a problem. The New Jersey Senior State Senator Raymond Lesniak challenged PASPA with a lawsuit. He filled this at the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. One of his major contentions was that allowing sports betting in a few states is unjust while making it illegal in others. Governor Chris Christie thought it would be difficult to change this legislation, therefore Senior State Senator Raymond Lesniak’s case was dismissed. In 2010, residents were asked whether they favored allowing sports wagering in their state. A clear majority voted yes.

After new legislation was passed in 2012, licensed locations were permitted to offer sports betting. The legal dispute over sports betting continued in the United States. In 2014, a new statute was implemented that repealed a previous state ban on sports betting. After additional litigation and disputes, New Jersey appealed to the United States Supreme Court. They requested that the court review PASPA.

Act 1075 allowed users to participate in Daily Fantasy Sports Games in Arkansas. In 2018, the Professional and Amateur Sports Betting Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA) was invalidated. From this day forward, each state is free to make its own decisions about sports betting.

Prior to the invalidation of PASPA, there was no longer any Arkansas sports betting available. After the vote was passed to repeal PASPA, four casinos opened in the state. There were two existing horse tracks, Southland and Oaklawn. They received licenses to operate in 2018 as well.

Arkansas Sports Teams

Sports fans enjoy Arkansas sports teams.

The Razorbacks also known as the Hogs, the Razorbacks represent the University of Arkansas. They sponsor a multitude of sports. Examples of men’s sports the Razorbacks sponsor are football, golf, baseball, basketball, and track, and field. They also support women’s sports, such as soccer, basketball, cross country, gymnastics, volleyball, swimming and diving, softball, track and field, and tennis. Their mascot is a wild Russian boar named Tusk.

The Little Rock Trojans – This college sports team also represents the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR). They were previously called Arkansas–Little Rock and were also known as UALR. In July 2015, they changed their name to the Little Rock Trojans. They’re a part of the Ohio Valley Conference as a member that does not participate in football. They’re also a member of the Pac-12 Conference as a wrestling affiliate. Some of the sports they sponsor are basketball, wrestling, and football.

The Arkansas Travelers – sometimes called the Travs, they are a Minor League Baseball team. They’re located in North Little Rock, in the state of Arkansas. They were established in 1963. The Travs are currently in the Texas League in affiliation with the Seattle Marines.

Retail Sports Betting in Arkansas

Arkansas sports betting started in a few retail places. It has recently spread to online platforms too. More development is expected in the future. Some of the retail venues for Arkansas sports betting include:

Oaklawn Sportsbook: Located at 2705 Central Avenue, Hot Springs, Arkansas, Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort has many Arkansas sports betting options available. This includes college football, basketball, ice hockey, horse racing, and tennis. The entrance is free. Their opening hours are 12 pm to 6 pm on Fridays and 10 am to 6 pm from Saturday to Sunday. Their self-service kiosks are always operational. They offer many refreshments and leisure opportunities, like spas and restaurants.

Betly Sportsbook: Also available as an app, this is Betly’s retail location at Southland Casino Racing. The address is 1550 Ingram Blvd, West Memphis, AR 72301. Many games, restaurants, and hotels are available at Southland Casino Racing.

Saracen Sportsbook: Apart from the app, Saracen Sportsbook is available at this retail location. Saracen Casino Sportsbook is based in the Little Rock Area, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. The betting limit is $500 per bet. There is no entrance fee. Saracen Casino is always open. There are convenience stores and refreshment options.

Tribal Casinos

Arkansas has no tribal casinos that would provide Arkansas sports betting or other activities. However, when sports betting and casino gaming were legalized in this state, tribal communities saw a chance. The regulatory body in Arkansas allocated the Cherokee Nation a casino license. There have been controversies, saying that should an Indian casino be launched in Arkansas, this might threaten the neighbor Oklahoma’s casinos.

Daily Fantasy Sports

Daily fantasy sports are very popular in Arkansas and have been newly recognized as legal in the state. These Daily Fantasy sites are available:

FanDuel

Arkansas sports betting through Daily Fantasy Sports is available using FanDuel. FanDuel is a sportsbooking site that currently only offers Daily Fantasy Sports in Arkansas. Customer service is accessible in the form of live chat and phone assistance for any concerns or difficulties. They’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Thanks to its user-friendly design, Fanduel Sportsbook’s website is very easy to use. It also has good security systems.

OwnerBox

OwerBox offers week-long format fantasy games. It’s easy to enter the competitions this platform has to offer. It’s one of the most popular sites for Daily Fantasy Sports. The design of the app is user-friendly and visually modern. Users can pick from light and dark color schemes. However, this platform does not provide all-day customer support.

Another Daily Fantasy sportsbook that might eventually launch in Arkansas is DraftKings. This is one of the most well-known Daily Fantasy Sports and might join Arkansas sports betting. DraftKings a variety of competitions every day. The user interface is simple to use. Acceptable payment methods include PayPal and credit card deposits. As of the moment, however, DraftKings has been refusing to launch, to oppose the unusual rule of 51% profit.

Offshore Betting

Offshore betting is unnecessary now that Arkansas sports betting has been legalized in the state. Individuals who engage in offshore betting put themselves at risk. The two only USA government-recognized authorities that can authorize offshore sports betting are Curacao and Costa Rica. 

Horse Racing & Off-Track Betting

In Arkansas, horse racing is a popular pastime. Many aren’t aware that horse racing has a long history dating back to ancient times. Watching the horses race is an exciting and unique experience for many individuals. It’s often done on special occasions.

At the end of the 19th century, horse racing was widely practiced in Arkansas. Anti-horse racing legislation was passed in the 1880s and 1890s. This law was relieved later in 1903. However, owing to disputes, horse racing was prohibited in Arkansas in 1907. Horse racing courses were forced to close as a result of the ban.

In 1929, the ban on horse racing was lifted with new legislation. But then, it was rejected again. Horse racing was prohibited for the next five years while it was still being conducted. In 1935, Act 46 was signed by Governor Junius Futrell, and horse racing was legalized as pari-mutual betting. The legislation since reviewed horse racing rules.

Horse racing in Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort mentioned above. The address is at 2705 Central Ave, Hot Springs, AR 71901. The entrance is entirely free with self-service that is always accessible. They have a variety of refreshments and leisure options, such as spas and restaurants, available for you to enjoy.

Another location is Southland Casino Racing located at 1550 Ingram Blvd, West Memphis, AR 72301. It’s open 24 hours a day. It features a selection of eateries and things to do.

Summary

In summary, Arkansas sports betting is legal. Although Arkansas sports betting is developing slowly, it is available in a number of ways, including at casinos, daily fantasy sports sites, and online betting. Horse racing and off-track betting are also popular pastimes in Arkansas.

There is a selection of sportsbooks that offer sports betting, such as Betly Sportsbooks and BetSacaren (IGT), There are also in-person retail options available for Arkansas sports betting, like Oaklawn Sportsbook, Betly Sportsbook, and Saracen Sportsbook. Daily Fantasy Sports are also available in Arkansas, though, for example, FanDuel and OwnerBox. More options are expected to come in the future.

Offshore betting is no longer necessary and should not be practiced. Horse racing and off-track betting is a popular leisure activity in Arkansas. Thanks to the legalization of sports betting, individuals can now enjoy this activity without worry.