Hopeful Arkansas Bettors Will Wait Again

Arkansas lawmakers postponed a legislative vote on Wednesday, Feb 16 to legalize mobile sports betting, but ultimately advanced regulations for statewide mobile sports betting on Thursday, Feb. 17.

Nevertheless, another vote is still necessary and could potentially take place as soon as next week.

Arkansas legislators are moving forward with regulations that would permit mobile sports betting across the state. The proposed rule states that sportsbook partners must share 51% of betting profits, a requirement that is being challenged by leading sportsbook companies. A final vote is still required, with a decision expected as soon as next week.

— Ryan Butler (@ButlerBets) February 17, 2022

The major development is the revenue split, which could pose a challenge for traditional sportsbooks. National sportsbooks believe that profit-sharing should be left to be determined through negotiations between vendors and casinos, rather than being dictated by the state.

During Wednesday’s meeting, a representative for the sportsbooks raised concerns about the rule, stating that it is not in line with the Commerce Clause, which prohibits discrimination against out-of-state economic interests. Lobbyist and former state lawmaker John Burris informed the committee that no other state has a similar rule for their sportsbooks.

Since 2019, sports betting has been legal in Arkansas at retail sportsbooks, with Governor Asa Hutchinson expressing support for the legalization of mobile sports wagering.

Due to the legalization of mobile sports betting in neighboring states Tennessee and Louisiana, it appears likely that Arkansas will also move forward with similar legislation.

Yet, what steps will national sportsbooks take if they are against the suggested profit-sharing arrangement?

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