Is Arkansas gambling legal?
Gamblers in Arkansas were celebrating with the state becoming the latest to legalize online sports betting more than three years after an in-house service was introduced at the state’s casinos. The Arkansas Racing Commission moved in preparation of any potential changes by passing a series of rules and regulations late in 2021 relating to the authorization of online sports betting.
The launch of the online service ended a long wait. Arkansas gamblers now use the sports betting facilities at several casinos in the state that have sportsbooks, offering markets on a range of sports, including football, basketball, and baseball.
For those wanting to watch and wager on live racing, they can head to the Oaklawn track where the ‘Racing Festival of the South’ is held, with the Arkansas Derby the feature event, or use advance-deposit wagering, ADW, operators to place their bets. The state also has one of the few remaining greyhound tracks in the US at the Southland Casino in West Memphis, with racing expected to end there later this year.
TOP Gambling Sites in Arkansas
Arkansas Gambling Types
Arkansas Betting
In-house sportsbooks are available at several casinos in the state, and legislation passed this year allows for online sports betting.
Arkansas Horse Racing Betting
The state has a long history of horse racing at Oaklawn, and you can bet on race meetings across the US and overseas at casinos with sportsbooks. Advance-deposit wagering operators like TVG, TwinSpires, and BetAmerica also allow you to place bets using your phone or laptop.
Arkansas Casinos
Online casinos are outlawed in the state, but in-person gambling is available at several venues, including the Oaklawn Casino at the Hot Springs race track and Southland Casino in West Memphis.
Sweepstakes Casinos in Arkansas
In Arkansas, where online gambling options are limited, Arkansas social online casinos offer a legal alternative for casino-style games. These type of casinos operate under US sweepstakes law, which allows players to use virtual currencies that can be played and potentially redeemed for cash prizes without technically constituting gambling. Popular platforms like Wow Vegas, Funzpoints, and LuckyLand Slots give Arkansas residents a broad choice of games, including slots and table games, accessible from home or via mobile devices. This model ensures that participants can enjoy a safe and compliant gaming experience, aligning with Arkansas’s legal framework for online sweepstakes-based activities.
Arkansas Lottery
A state-wide event is run, but tickets can only be bought at physical retailers and not online.
Arkansas Poker
The state is not one of around half a dozen in the US to have a legal online poker market but you can play in-person with the Southland Casino attracting players from across Arkansas. Online poker, however, may be available through offshore sportsbooks, but players use these sites at their own risk and without any consumer protection.
Arkansas DFS
State residents have been allowed to play daily fantasy sports (DFS) operated by the likes of DraftKings and FanDuel since 2017.
No regulatory framework in place for Arkansas online casinos to be given licenses to operate. This means that people living here will have to wait until they can begin betting in Arkansas.
While you won’t find any online casinos in Arkansas, it is possible to predict the future by looking at those sites that have been given licenses in states where online gambling is allowed. They will likely offer a vast selection of casino games in Arkansas with useful bonuses which may give an idea as to what an Arkansas online casino could look like.
Real Money Casino Sites in Arkansas
Any future Arkansas online casino regulations should give well-run, highly respected casino operators the green light to offer their sites here. Residents will then be able to choose from many varied sites.
Check the payment methods and bonuses suit your needs before signing up, as they vary from casino to casino. They will generally all off round-the-clock customer service if you need any help, though.
Based on the current gambling legislation in Arkansas, Caesars, BetMGM, Fanduel, and DraftKings Casino are among the first casinos expected to open in the state in 2025.
Arkansas’s most expected online casinos:
- BetMGM Casino
- Caesars Casino
- DraftKings Casino
- Fanduel Casino
Arkansas Online Casino Games and Slots
You will be able to play many different slots on any of the best Arkansas online casinos that are given licenses in the future. Many players head straight to the slots section, where games such as Family, Deal or No Deal, and Wild West have made a big impact in the US.
Table games you can try will include roulette, poker, and baccarat variants. Live dealer games are offered on some of these casinos too
Best Casino Apps in Arkansas and Bonuses
Get started on your mobile device by using your mobile browser or downloading the app to play in an online casino in Arkansas. Mobile access will likely be guaranteed at future sites that Arkansas players use.
If you can’t find the app, simply navigate to the casino using your smartphone or tablet’s browser. Either way, the selection of games is typically slightly more limited than on the desktop site.
Any Arkansas online casino would offer its players something to get started with like a welcome bonus. You might be able to pick up a no deposit bonus, but it is generally awarded after your first deposit. Check the full terms in each case to see how to use the bonus.
Take your pick from different bonuses. You may get a deal that will boost your first deposit by 100% or more, while other casinos use free spins and cashback offers to make themselves more attractive to new players. Take a moment to consider which type of bonus suits you best.
Top Land-based Casinos in Arkansas
The choices when going to a land casino in Arkansas are fairly limited, with the Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in Hot Springs a good choice. Southland Casino Racing in West Memphis is another place that has casino games in Arkansas, along with racing and dining. Another alternative here is at the Saracen Casino Resort, which is in Pine Bluff and is operated by the Quapaw Nation.
Will online casinos be made legal in Arkansas?
There is no timescale currently for an online casino in Arkansas to begin operating that it will definitely occur.
Can social casinos be used legally in Arkansas?
You can play at any site that accepts US-based players. There is no law stopping these sites since real money stakes aren’t used.
Tax When Gambling in Arkansas?
Any money that you win in an Arkansas online casino, or through some other type of gambling, is classed as taxable income. This means that you need to declare it to the IRS together with the rest of your income each year.
What are the casino and racing resorts in Arkansas?
These are land casinos that combine casino games in Arkansas with sports betting facilities. Sometimes known as racinos.
Is it legal to gamble in Arkansas?
The state introduced online sports betting in 2022 and the legal age for casino gaming and sports betting in Arkansas is 21.
Where can I get help with problem gambling in Arkansas?
If you need some guidance around problem gambling, or you think a friend or relative needs help, details can be found at National Council on Problem Gambling (ncpgambling.org).
View the complete Offers.bet guide to the best sportsbook promos and pick the top sportsbook to place your bets. Gamble responsibly. 21+. If you want to play games for real money, check out our online casino list.
