Arkansas Sports Betting in 2024

When legal online Arkansas sports betting arrived on March 5, 2022, it voided the need for bettors to visit a casino location to claim sign-up bonuses and promos from the best sportsbooks in the Natural State. Below, we break down everything you need to know about Arkansas sportsbooks.

Best Arkansas sports betting sites
TOP-RATED SPORTSBOOK
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1-5 days

Payout Speed

/ 5.0 Betly Review
  • User-friendly platform
  • Secure website and mobile app
  • Licensed in Arkansas, West Virginia, and Tennessee
TOP-RATED SPORTSBOOK
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1-5 days

Payout Speed

/ 5.0 review
  • User-friendly platform
  • Secure website and mobile app
  • Licensed in Arkansas, West Virginia, and Tennessee
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Arkansas, United States

Sports betting at a glance

  • Population : 3.02 million
  • Legal age for sports betting : 21
  • Online sports betting : Yes
  • Retail sportsbooks : Yes
  • Sports betting revenue : $4.1 million

Arkansas sports betting updates

Arkansas sports betting was legalized in November 2018 — six months after the federal ban on sports wagering was lifted in the United States. After several failed attempts to bring mobile sports betting to the Land of Opportunity, Arkansans finally saw online sportsbooks arrive in March 2022.

Here’s a glimpse into Arkansas’ sports betting journey:

Sept. 2, 2022: The Oaklawn Sports mobile app launches in Arkansas, becoming the state’s third legal online option.

Aug. 23, 2022: Kambi extends its partnership with Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort. The new agreement includes Oaklawn’s retail sportsbook and an online sportsbook solution for the upcoming launch of ‘Oaklawn Sports.’

May 10, 2022: After months of delay, Saracen Casino Resort’s BetSaracen mobile app officially goes live. It is only the second legal Arkansas sports betting platform to launch.

March 23, 2022: Saracen Casino Resort’s BetSaracen mobile app has yet to launch. The operator had hoped to go live for March Madness, citing issues with ‘partners, vendors, and testing laboratories’ as the cause of the delay.

Arkansas sports betting updates

Yes, Arkansas has a legal and regulated sports betting market. In November 2018, Voters approved a state-wide ballot, allowing land-based sports betting to launch in July 2019. This was followed by mobile sports wagering via online sportsbooks arriving in March 2022.

Why Betly is the best sports betting site in Arkansas

Arkansas only has three online sports betting options, and Betly is the clear top choice. While bettors won’t be blown away by the key features of the site, it is extremely user-friendly and covers all of the major sports.

Their current welcome offer is a $250 bonus bet and is a good starting point to get into Arkansas sports betting. No promo code is required.

Live betting is the best thing Betly has going for it at the moment, but we are hopeful that features like early cash out and live streaming will become available. Betly is now available in Arkansas, West Virginia, and Tennessee.

Best Arkansas sports betting offers and bonuses

Online Arkansas sportsbooks are here to kickstart the accounts of new Natural State bettors. Here are the best Arkansas sportsbook bonuses and promo codes in 2023:

Betly Sportsbook – $250 Bonus Bet: Sign up with Betly Sportsbook to activate a $250 bonus bet. If the bet loses, Betly returns the full stake in the form of a bonus bet, up to $250.

Terms and conditions apply to all bonuses and promotional offers.

Top Arkansas sports betting site

Arkansas may not feature any of the major players in the U.S. online sports betting market, but one operator stands out among its peers. Also live in West Virginia, Tennessee, and Ohio (as MVGBet), Betly is our pick for the top Arkansas sports betting site and features an easy-to-use mobile sportsbook app.

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SIGN UP BONUS

$250 Bonus Bet

Terms & conditions apply

Read our Betly Sportsbook Review for an expert analysis of Arkansas’s top sportsbook.

  • App store rating: 2.7 (iOS), N/A (Android)
  • Sign-up bonus: $250 bonus bet
  • Payout speed: 1-5 days
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Bet $5, Win $150 in Bonus Bets

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Among the first online sportsbooks to join the Colorado sports betting market, FanDuel Sportsbook opened its virtual doors to CO bettors in May 2020. Since then, it has established itself as a go-to option in the Centennial State thanks to an industry-best welcome bonus, an incredible football betting app, and a vast collection of unique bet types and promos. Get started with $150 in bonus bets from FanDuel Colorado.

Check out our FanDuel Sportsbook Review for more on FanDuel CO.

What sportsbooks are legal in Arkansas?

With just three online sportsbooks, options are limited in Arkansas. Here’s how the legal landscape looks in 2023:

  1. Betly – Best app
  2. Bet Saracen – Competitive odds
  3. Oaklawn Sports – Modern interface

Legal sportsbooks in Arkansas

With just three online and retail Arkansas sportsbooks, AR bettors’ choices are limited. However, the state’s proposed sports betting legislation calls for up to six online operators.

You can currently place a legal wager in Arkansas at the following sports betting locations:

Arkansas’ online sportsbooks
Online sportsbook Mobile app Odds provider Online casino Retail partner
BetSaracen Yes IGT No Oaklawn Casino Racing Resort
BetSaracen Yes IGT No Oaklawn Casino Racing Resort
BetSaracen Yes IGT No Oaklawn Casino Racing Resort
Arkansas’ online sportsbooks
Online sportsbook Mobile app Odds provider Online casino Retail partner
BetSaracen Yes IGT No Oaklawn Casino Racing Resort
BetSaracen Yes IGT No Oaklawn Casino Racing Resort
BetSaracen Yes IGT No Oaklawn Casino Racing Resort

Arkansas sports betting handle

Arkansas has seen a steady year-over-year increase in betting handle since accepting its first legal wager in July 2019. The addition of mobile betting in 2022 should propel the state’s monthly betting handle into eight figures.

Stay updated as we monitor the sports betting revenue in every authorized U.S. market, providing monthly reports on both the handle and hold.

Yearly breakdown
Yearly breakdown Total handle Revenue Hold percentage Tax revenue
2023 $185.4M $185.4M 9.6% $2.4M
2023 $185.4M $185.4M 9.6% $2.4M
2023 $185.4M $185.4M 9.6% $2.4M
2023 $185.4M $185.4M 9.6% $2.4M

How to start betting in Arkansas

To place a legal sports wager in Arkansas, you’ll need to register with one of three licensed Arkansas sports betting sites or visit a brick-and-mortar sportsbook in one of the state’s three casinos.

1Select a sportsbook

We recommend exploring each sportsbook’s offering in-depth before signing up and locking in your first pick. This means line shopping, comparing welcome bonuses and ongoing promotions, and ensuring your banking needs are met.

2Register online

Until more online operators receive the green light for launch, Arkansans will be limited to three online sites. Alternatively, bettors can visit a casino to register with a retail sportsbook.

3Claim a bonus

While mobile Arkansas sportsbooks will offer welcome bonuses to new bettors, retail locations rarely do the same. Online welcome offers include bonus bets, no-deposit bonuses, and deposit matches.

4Deposit funds

Arkansas bettors can register with one of three licensed operators or visit a retail location to make their initial deposits.

5Choose your bet types

All of the popular bet types are available in the Natural State. These include point spreads, Over/Unders (totals), moneylines, props, futures, live betting, and more.

6Start betting

Always read your chosen sportsbook’s terms and conditions section to fully understand what each bet and promotion entails. We also recommend comparing odds whenever possible to ensure the best potential payouts. Not all sportsbooks offer bettors the same betting lines, so consistently identifying the most favorable odds will pay dividends in the long run.

7Withdraw funds

Arkansans can access winnings online or in person at a retail sportsbook. Arkansas sportsbooks offer some combination of PayPal, eCheck, bank transfer, Skrill, and Play+ to users looking to withdraw funds. The method chosen will determine processing times.

Reading the odds

Arkansas sportsbooks default to American odds when displaying betting odds. Favorites are accompanied by a minus (-) sign. The following number indicates the amount you’ll have the wager to generate $100 in profit. For example, -375 odds tell you a $375 wager is required if you’re hoping to win $100. Underdogs are shown with a plus (+) sign and represent the amount to be won when placing a $100 bet. For example, +600 odds represent the $600 you would stand to win should your $100 bet prove successful. Wagers on underdogs will set you up for a larger payday. It’s up to you to determine if the inherent risk is worth the reward. Our odds converter lets you view odds in other formats, such as fractional and decimal odds.

Who can bet on sports in Arkansas?

You must be 21 years of age to partake in legal Arkansas sports betting. Wagers can be placed in person at one of the state’s three casinos or online with three Arkansas betting sites.

Here’s everything you need to know about placing sports betting in AR:

The pros and cons of Arkansas sports betting

Arkansas launched mobile sports betting in March 2022. Currently, three online sportsbooks and three retail sportsbooks are available to bettors.

Pros
  • Online betting underway
  • In-state college betting
  • Few events are off-limits
Cons
  • Covers miss iconCurrently limited to three retail sportsbooks
  • Covers miss icon51% profit-sharing in favor of casinos could discourage top operators
  • Covers miss iconNo esports betting

What you can’t bet on in Arkansas

While most events are fair game in Arkansas, some bet types are not permitted in the Natural State. Wagers on political events, esports, and amateur athletes under 18 are off-limits.

  • There is no legal way to wager on politics in Arkansas or any other U.S. state
  • Arkansas sports betting does not include esports betting. State regulators could revisit the legality of this bet type with the launch of mobile betting.

Fortunately for Arkansas bettors, the state’s sports betting law permits wagers on both out-of-state and in-state college teams.

Arkansas sports betting handle

Arkansas has seen a steady year-over-year increase in betting handle since accepting its first legal wager in July 2019. The addition of mobile betting in 2022 should propel the state’s monthly betting handle into eight figures.

Stay updated as we monitor the sports betting revenue in every authorized U.S. market, providing monthly reports on both the handle and hold.

Yearly breakdown
Yearly breakdown Total handle Revenue Hold percentage Tax revenue
2023 $185.4M $185.4M 9.6% $2.4M
2023 $185.4M $185.4M 9.6% $2.4M
2023 $185.4M $185.4M 9.6% $2.4M
2023 $185.4M $185.4M 9.6% $2.4M
Monthly handle
Yearly Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
2023 $10.1M $10.1M $10.1M $10.1M $10.1M $10.1M $10.1M $10.1M $10.1M $10.1M $10.1M $10.1M
2023 $10.1M $10.1M $10.1M $10.1M $10.1M $10.1M $10.1M $10.1M $10.1M $10.1M $10.1M $10.1M
2023 $10.1M $10.1M $10.1M $10.1M $10.1M $10.1M $10.1M $10.1M $10.1M $10.1M $10.1M $10.1M
2023 $10.1M $10.1M $10.1M $10.1M $10.1M $10.1M $10.1M $10.1M $10.1M $10.1M $10.1M $10.1M
2023 $10.1M $10.1M $10.1M $10.1M $10.1M $10.1M $10.1M $10.1M $10.1M $10.1M $10.1M $10.1M

Home team advantage

While it’s tempting to support your hometown Arkansas Razorbacks with your bankroll, it’s important not to let your sports allegiances cloud your judgment when betting. Be sure to research every bet thoroughly before blindly backing your hometown squads. Check out our how to bet guides to get started.

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Other types of gambling

Arkansas is still relatively new to gambling, as the state’s three fully operational casinos launched in 2019.

The only forms of online gambling in Arkansas are horse race betting and daily fantasy sports. Online casinos are illegal in the Natural State.

Responsible gaming in Arkansas

Like other states with regulated gambling, Arkansas has taken steps to provide the resources needed to prevent, monitor, and treat gambling addiction.

The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) offers self-help resources to those in need. Problem gamblers can also join a self-exclusion program to ban themselves from any gambling facility or Arkansas betting sites voluntarily.

Legal U.S. sports betting markets

Arkansas was one of the first states to legalize sports betting. Today, the following locales have legalized some form of sports wagering:

Sportsbooks to avoid in Arkansas

Offshore sportsbooks offer Natural State sports bettors an enticing alternative to wagering at Arkansas sports betting sites. Unfortunately, these websites are not licensed and pose a legitimate threat to your bankroll. We strongly advise you to avoid these online sportsbooks and stick to regulated Arkansas operators.

blacklist
  • Allegations of withdrawal issues
  • No license information available on site
  • Poor customer service
blacklist
  • Multiple reports of slow payments
  • Allegations of non-payments
  • Risk of account closure simply for winning bets
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  • Reports of confiscated winnings
  • Slow customer support response times

Arkansas sports betting FAQ

Yes, sports betting is legal in Arkansas. Arkansas legalized retail sports betting in 2018, and online sports betting became a reality in March 2022. The Arkansas Racing Commission oversees all sports wagering activity in the state.

You can register with the state’s three online sportsbooks. Alternatively, you can visit one of three Arkansas retail sportsbooks to place a legal wager. These are found in each of the state’s three casinos.

Three online sportsbooks are live in Arkansas — Betly, BetSaracen, and Oaklawn Sports. As online betting expands, each casino could partner with two online operators each.

Yes, online and mobile Arkansas sports betting is available.

Yes, Arkansas sportsbooks use the same odds providers as those found in Las Vegas.

You must be 21 or older to place a legal sports bet in Arkansas.

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