Arkansas Sports Betting: Best AR Online Underscoreg Sites 2024

Arkansas betting apps

Unfortunately, the sports betting options in Arkansas are currently limited for both residents and visitors. However, there is hope that this will change in the near future. In the meantime, individuals in Arkansas will have to make do with the limited selection of sportsbooks available.

Arkansas promos and bonuses

As mobile sports betting grows in Arkansas, bettors can expect to find a wide range of bonuses and promotions available to those placing wagers within the state. It is recommended that everyone take advantage of these offers, as many of them can result in cash winnings being added to your account with minimal requirements for wagering.

Arkansas sports betting quick facts

How to bet in Arkansas

Choose your sportsbook

When online sports betting operators start integrating AR technology, you can refer to our comprehensive list for the top sports betting choices. Our user-friendly list lets you filter sportsbooks by various factors like banking options, bonuses, and customer service quality.

Before making your decision, it is crucial to review our comprehensive and impartial evaluations of the top sportsbooks in Arkansas. This step is particularly important if you wish to gain a better understanding of the bonus offers provided by each book.

Register online

Each sportsbook may have slightly different registration requirements, but generally, they follow similar protocols. Make sure to have your personal information (name, address, phone number) and credit card details (number, expiry date, CVV) ready.

Deposit and claim your bonus

After familiarizing yourself with the details of your sportsbook’s new signup bonus, it’s time to make your first deposit and take advantage of the enticing offer. Most introductory promotions for Arkansas residents typically come in one of two variations:

• Bonus bets: This offer gives you extra bonus bets if your first wager is graded as a loss. The sportsbook will refund your initial bet amount (up to a specific limit) as bonus bet credits that can be used to make additional wagers. They cannot be withdrawn as cash.
• Deposit match: This offer sees the sportsbook match your initial deposit dollar-for-dollar, though there are two caveats. The deposit match will come with a maximum limit, and in the majority of cases you will be required to “play through” your initial deposit by a certain multiple in order to earn the bonus.

Select and finalize your bet

Well done! You are now prepared to make a bet. Take a moment to get to know the app’s interface before getting started. While most mobile operators have user-friendly interfaces for new sports bettors, it’s still beneficial to understand where everything is located.

Afterward, you have the freedom to make any kind of bet you prefer, with the most common options being moneyline, spread, or total bets. Additionally, you can explore team or player props, or start off with a futures bet.

After choosing your desired wagers on your betting card, give it a final check to confirm your selections. If everything looks good, just click the “Bet” button and you’re ready to go!

Arkansas legal sports betting history

Implementing retail sports betting was a breeze for Arkansas legislators and operators, but they have encountered significant challenges when it comes to mobile wagering.

Initially, Arkansas legislators appeared more focused on discussing the quantity of skins for each casino and the hefty fees sportsbooks would need to pay rather than prioritizing the implementation of mobile sports betting. However, common sense eventually prevailed, leading to the establishment of mobile sports betting. It will be intriguing to observe the level of interest Arkansas garners from prominent operators in the industry.

Let’s take a closer look at the history of sports betting in Arkansas.

2018-19: Voters Approve Gaming Expansion

Just a few months after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, Arkansas voters gave the green light to Arkansas Issue 4, a constitutional amendment that paves the way for a significant expansion of gaming in the state, including the legalization of sports betting.

Following this, the process progressed rapidly, with Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort being the first establishment in the state to accept legal sports bets in July 2019. Just three months later, Saracen Casino launched its own in-house sportsbook, becoming the second location in Arkansas to provide legal sports betting.

2020: Three Players in the AR Space

In January 2020, Southland Casino Racing entered the world of sports betting by teaming up with Betly Underscoreg, providing three retail wagering choices for Arkansans.

After reaching a peak in the state’s retail sports betting market, the COVID-19 pandemic abruptly halted the sports world, including Arkansas’ three retail sportsbooks. It took several months for the industry to recover, but fortunately, with the NFL and NCAA football seasons resuming, Arkansas sports betting was able to bounce back.

2021: More Online Skins, But With a Major Catch

The majority of the sports betting year in Arkansas in 2021 was relatively quiet, as the three current retail sportsbooks experienced notable growth compared to the previous year. However, lawmakers made limited advancements towards allowing online sports wagering in the state.

The Arkansas Racing Commission made a surprising announcement just two days before the end of the year. They approved regulations that would permit online sports betting and granted two skins each to the four casinos in the state, including the three already in operation and the Pope County casino, which was still under construction.

The major catch was the mandate for sportsbooks to allocate a significant 51 percent of their sports betting earnings to the affiliated casino. Despite objections from notable sports betting companies, their concerns were ultimately dismissed.

2022: Mobile Betting Debuts in Arkansas

Online sports betting was gaining popularity as 2022 began, despite the ARC initially removing mobile wagering from their legislative agenda before the Super Bowl. However, the rule changes were eventually approved in the following month, and mobile sports betting became officially legal on March 4.

Betly quickly entered the space by launching its mobile web platform just one day after the official start date. In contrast, Saracen faced delays and issues with testing and vendors before finally releasing its BetSaracen app on May 10.

Responsible Gaming in Arkansas

Similar to other states, Arkansas has implemented measures to ensure that individuals who gamble have resources available to help them if they encounter any difficulties.

The Arkansas branch of the National Council on Problem Gambling serves as the primary online hub for players in need of assistance. The website offers a range of support services, such as Gamblers Anonymous, Gam-Anon, and mental health resources, to help visitors find the help they need.

Go to the website of the National Council on Problem Gambling.

Sports leagues to bet on

Arkansas bettors can expect a wide variety of major professional and amateur sports to choose from, including, but not limited to:

• NFL
• NCAA Football
• NBA
• NCAA Basketball
• MLB
• NHL
• Golf
• Auto Racing
• Tennis
• Soccer
• MMA

There are only two major markets in Arkansas where wagering is prohibited, leaving little off the table.

• Politics
• Esports

Sports bettors have the option to review the best sportsbooks for individual sports, leagues, playoffs, and categories.

Arkansas retail sportsbooks

There are only three brick-and-mortar sportsbooks in Arkansas that offer legal sports betting within the state. Here is a list of the retail sportsbooks available to residents and visitors in Arkansas:

The address for Oaklawn Casino Racing Resort is 2705 Central Ave, Hot Springs, AR, 71901.

Saracen Casino Resort can be found at 1 Saracen Resort Dr in Pine Bluff, AR, with the username BetSaracen.

Southland Casino Racing (Betly_, 1550 N. Ingram Blvd, West Memphis, AR 72301)

Arkansas sports betting tax & handle

Take a peek at the monthly sports betting handle in Arkansas starting from 2019.

2019

2020

2021

2022

Arkansas experienced steady progress with its retail-only sports betting model before facing a COVID-19-induced pause. However, the state saw significant success during the 2021 NFL season, achieving a record $9.5 million handle in October. The introduction of mobile wagering in March 2022 led to a new high of $10.7 million.

Operators are taxed at a rate of 13% on the first $150 million of net gaming revenues, and 20% on any revenue exceeding this threshold. In addition, sportsbooks are required to give 51% of their revenues to the casinos they are affiliated with.

Growth of sports betting 📈

In 2018, the repeal of PASPA by the U.S. Supreme Court led to a rapid expansion of legal sports betting in the United States. Nearly thirty states have now legalized sports betting in some capacity, with many implementing laws allowing for online sportsbooks and mobile betting apps. For more information on the status of legal sports betting in your state, consult our tracker.

In the last two years, Ohio and Massachusetts have seen incredibly successful online betting launches. This has provided sports fans with a new way to support their favorite teams, while also generating significant revenue for the states through licensing fees and taxes.

On March 11, 2024, legal sports betting in North Carolina was introduced, welcoming eight top sportsbooks to the state. With major events such as the Copa America and Euro 2024 soccer tournaments taking place throughout the summer, the enthusiasm and possibilities for sports betting fans are on the rise.