Sports Betting in Arkansas 2026
Arkansas legalized casinos and sports betting through a 2018 constitutional amendment, launched retail in 2019, and added statewide mobile in March 2022. The Natural State uses a casino-tethered model — every mobile sportsbook is partnered with one of four licensed casino properties. That gives Arkansas bettors DraftKings (Oaklawn), FanDuel (Southland), and BetSaracen/Caesars (Saracen) on their phones. It's a smaller operator pool than mega-markets, but Razorback Nation has quality options.
Arkansas's Casino-Tethered Model
Arkansas's sports betting framework is built on a constitutional foundation. Issue 4 — approved by 54% of voters in November 2018 — authorized four casino licenses in specific counties and included sports betting as a permitted activity. The key feature is tethering: every mobile sportsbook must be connected to a licensed casino property, which receives a revenue share from online bets placed statewide.
This creates a market with three primary mobile operators — DraftKings at Oaklawn, FanDuel at Southland, and BetSaracen (Caesars-powered) at Saracen Casino. A fourth license (Pope County) remains undeveloped due to local opposition. The tethered model ensures casinos benefit from mobile expansion but limits the number of operators to the number of casino licenses.
The tax structure reflects this hybrid approach: 13% on retail bets placed inside casinos and 20% on mobile bets placed statewide. The differential incentivizes casino visits but doesn't penalize mobile heavily enough to discourage use. For bettors, the practical experience is a standard mobile sportsbook app (DraftKings or FanDuel) that works statewide from any location in Arkansas.
Arkansas's Four Licensed Casino Properties
Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort
Mobile: DraftKingsHot Springs, AR
Arkansas's most famous gaming property — Oaklawn has been running thoroughbred horse racing since 1904. The resort added a full casino in 2019 and a DraftKings-powered sportsbook. The property features a luxury hotel, spa, and one of the top horse racing tracks in the country. The Racing Festival of the South (March–May) is a major annual draw.
Southland Casino Racing
Mobile: FanDuelWest Memphis, AR
Located just across the Mississippi River from Memphis, Tennessee, Southland draws heavily from the Memphis market. Originally a greyhound track (greyhound racing ended in 2023), Southland has transitioned to a full casino resort with a FanDuel-powered sportsbook. Its proximity to Memphis makes it the most geographically strategic casino in Arkansas.
Saracen Casino Resort
Mobile: BetSaracen (Caesars)Pine Bluff, AR
The newest gaming property in Arkansas, Saracen opened in 2020. Owned by the Quapaw Nation, it operates under a commercial license (not a tribal compact). The BetSaracen mobile sportsbook is powered by Caesars technology. Saracen serves the Pine Bluff/Little Rock market — the capital city area that was previously underserved for gaming.
Cherokee Casino & Hotel
Mobile: LimitedWest Siloam Springs, AR (Oklahoma border)
Located in the far northwest corner of Arkansas near the Oklahoma border, this property serves the Fayetteville/Bentonville/Northwest Arkansas market. Sports betting availability and mobile integration are more limited compared to the other three properties.
Best Arkansas Sportsbooks — Ranked for 2026
Our rankings reflect Arkansas-specific factors: Razorbacks coverage, welcome bonuses, odds quality on SEC sports, payout speed, and app performance across the state.
DraftKings Sportsbook
PlatinumBet $5 and Get $150 in Bonus Bets
Bet $5 and Get $150 in Bonus Bets. Available in: AZ, CO, CT, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA (select parishes), MA, MD, ME, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WY or WV.
- One of the most popular and trusted US sportsbooks with the best mobile app
- Largest selection of betting markets including props, parlays, and live betting
- Industry-leading same-game parlay builder with the most options
FanDuel Sportsbook
PlatinumBet $5 and Receive $200 in Bonus
Bet $5 and Receive $200 in Bonus Bets. Available in: AZ, CO, CT, DC, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, MO, Mohegan Tr. Ct, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, PR, TN, VT, VA, WV, WY.
- Consistently offers the best odds in the US market on key matchups
- Cleanest and most user-friendly app design among US sportsbooks
- Same-game parlays available across all major sports
Caesars Sportsbook
GoldPlace your first bet of $1 or more and instantly get 20 100% Profit Boosts
Place your first bet of $1 or more and instantly get 20 100% Profit Boosts, Up to $25 Max Bet Per Boost. Available in: IL, MA, PA, MI, NJ, NC, AZ, CO, VA, OH, IA, KS, WV, KY, MD, ON, DC, LA, NY, TN, WY, MI, MO, NJ, WV, IN.
- Caesars Rewards loyalty integration for earning hotel stays and dining
- Strong first-bet insurance up to $1,000 for new customers
- Available in 20+ states with rapid expansion
How to Start Betting in Arkansas
Choose Your Sportsbook(s)
Pick from DraftKings (Oaklawn), FanDuel (Southland), or BetSaracen (Saracen/Caesars). Sign up for 2-3 to maximize welcome bonuses and line-shopping. All three apps work statewide — you don't need to be near their tethered casino.
Download & Register
Download the app from the App Store or Google Play. Register with your name, date of birth, email, and last four SSN digits. You must be 21+ and physically in Arkansas. Registration takes about 5 minutes.
Claim Welcome Bonuses
Each operator offers a sign-up bonus — typically $200+ in bonus bets from DraftKings and FanDuel, plus up to $1,000 first bet insurance from BetSaracen/Caesars. Signing up for all three can net $600+ in free bets.
Deposit Funds
Fund via bank transfer, debit card, PayPal, Venmo, or cash at the tethered casino. Most mobile deposits are instant. Cash deposits are available at Oaklawn, Southland, and Saracen casino cages.
Place Your First Bet
Start with the Razorbacks — SEC football and basketball are the biggest betting draws in AR. Shop odds across your apps before committing. DraftKings and FanDuel's same-game parlay builders are particularly good for SEC games.
Arkansas Market Performance
Mobile betting (March 2022) was the inflection point — retail-only handle was modest, but mobile dramatically expanded the market.
| Year | Handle (est.) | Revenue | Key Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 (Jul–Dec) | $50M | $5M | Retail launch — Oaklawn and Southland only |
| 2020 | $100M | $10M | COVID impact, Saracen opens, retail-only |
| 2021 | $160M | $15M | Full year with 3 casinos, still retail-only |
| 2022 | $400M | $40M | Mobile launches March — handle explodes 2.5x |
| 2023 | $550M | $50M | First full year of mobile, DK/FD driving growth |
| 2024 | $650M | $55M | Steady growth, Razorbacks seasons drive handle |
| 2025 (est.) | $750M | $60M | Approaching $1B trajectory |
Source: Arkansas Racing Commission reports. The mobile launch in March 2022 was transformative — handle increased 2.5x in the first year. Arkansas's trajectory suggests the billion-dollar annual handle milestone is achievable within the existing three-operator framework.
Side-by-Side Sportsbook Comparison
| # | Operator | Bonus | Min Deposit | Rating | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DraftKings Sportsbook Sportsbook | Bet $5 and Get $150 in Bonus Bets | $5 | 4.9/5 | Play Now |
| 2 | FanDuel Sportsbook Sportsbook | Bet $5 and Receive $200 in Bonus | $10 | 4.8/5 | Play Now |
| 3 |  Fanatics Sportsbook Sportsbook | $1,000 in No Sweat Bets | - | 4.7/5 | Play Now |
| 4 |  bet365 Sportsbook | Bet $5, Get $150 in bonus bets | $10 | 4.6/5 | Play Now |
| 5 | Caesars Sportsbook Sportsbook | Place your first bet of $1 or more and instantly get 20 100% Profit Boosts | $20 | 4.5/5 | Play Now |
Arkansas Sports Landscape
Arkansas has no major professional sports franchise — but Razorback Nation is one of the most passionate college fanbases in America, and the state's split NFL allegiances create unique betting patterns.
Arkansas Razorbacks (SEC)
The Hogs are everything in Arkansas. Razorback football fills 76,000-seat War Memorial Stadium and Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Basketball at Bud Walton Arena is electric. Baseball at Baum-Walker Stadium has produced College World Series runs. SEC football Saturdays drive the highest-handle days on AR sportsbooks.
Dallas Cowboys (NFL)
Southern and western Arkansas is Cowboys country. Jerry Jones — the Cowboys' owner — is from Little Rock and attended the University of Arkansas. This connection makes Dallas the most popular NFL team in the state and Cowboys games the highest-handle NFL events on AR apps.
Kansas City Chiefs (NFL)
Northern Arkansas, particularly the northwest corner (Fayetteville, Bentonville, Fort Smith), leans Chiefs. The Patrick Mahomes dynasty has strengthened KC fandom across the state. Chiefs handle rivals the Cowboys on DraftKings and FanDuel in AR.
Tennessee Titans (NFL)
Eastern Arkansas, especially the Memphis-adjacent region around West Memphis and Jonesboro, follows the Titans. This aligns with the Southland Casino/FanDuel partnership in West Memphis, where Titans fans make up a significant share of bettors.
SEC Football Broadly
Beyond the Razorbacks, Arkansas bettors wager heavily on the full SEC slate — Alabama, LSU, Ole Miss, Georgia, Texas, and Tennessee games all drive significant handle. The Arkansas-LSU rivalry ("The Battle for the Golden Boot") is one of the most-bet regular season college games in the state.
Horse Racing (Oaklawn)
Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort runs one of the premier thoroughbred meets in America (January–May). The Arkansas Derby — a key Kentucky Derby prep race — draws national attention. Oaklawn's Racing Festival of the South is a signature event that combines live racing with DraftKings sports betting.
Neighboring States Comparison
| State | Status | Key Difference from AR |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | Legal (mobile-only) | 15+ operators, mobile-only (no retail), higher handle — Eastern AR bettors near TN border have more choice |
| Louisiana | Legal (mobile + retail) | 10+ operators, parish-by-parish model — Southern AR bettors near LA have more options |
| Mississippi | Legal (retail-only) | 28+ casino sportsbooks but NO statewide mobile — AR has the mobile advantage |
| Missouri | Legal (Nov 2024) | Newly legal — launched late 2024 with multiple mobile operators |
| Oklahoma | Limited (tribal) | Tribal gaming compacts allow some sports betting at tribal casinos — no statewide commercial mobile |
| Texas | Not Legal | No legal sports betting — AR has the advantage for the Texarkana corridor |
Arkansas benefits from bordering Texas (no legal betting, 30M people) and Oklahoma (limited tribal). The Texarkana corridor and NW Arkansas/Oklahoma border create cross-border opportunities where AR's mobile betting is the best option available.
Arkansas Sports Betting Timeline
The U.S. Supreme Court strikes down PASPA in Murphy v. NCAA. Arkansas doesn't have an immediate path to sports betting — the state must first pass a constitutional amendment to allow casinos, which will serve as the platform for sports wagering.
Arkansas voters approve Issue 4 — a constitutional amendment allowing four casino licenses in the state. The amendment authorizes casinos in Pope County, Jefferson County (Pine Bluff), Crittenden County (West Memphis), and Garland County (Hot Springs). Sports betting is included as an authorized activity. The measure passes with 54% of the vote.
Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in Hot Springs becomes the first property to offer retail sports betting in Arkansas. Southland Casino Racing in West Memphis follows shortly after. The Arkansas Racing Commission oversees the regulatory framework. Retail-only at launch.
Saracen Casino Resort opens in Pine Bluff — the first new-build casino under Issue 4. The property, owned by the Quapaw Nation, adds a sportsbook shortly after opening. COVID-19 disrupts the first year of operations. Three of four licensed casinos are now offering sports betting.
Arkansas launches mobile sports betting. The mobile framework is casino-tethered — each mobile skin must be connected to one of the four licensed casino properties. DraftKings partners with Oaklawn, FanDuel partners with Southland, and BetSaracen (Caesars-powered) launches through Saracen Casino. Arkansas joins the mobile betting era.
Mobile betting drives significant handle growth. The casino-tethered model gives Arkansas 3+ mobile operators — far more than Mississippi's retail-only system but fewer than states like Tennessee (15+) or Louisiana (10+). The 20% mobile tax rate is higher than the 13% retail rate, creating a tax incentive for casino visits.
Arkansas's sports betting market matures. Annual handle reaches $500M–$700M with mobile driving the majority. Northwest Arkansas (Fayetteville/Bentonville/Rogers) — home to Walmart HQ and the University of Arkansas — emerges as a key market. The Pope County casino license remains contentious and undeveloped.
Arkansas enters its fourth year of mobile betting. The market is stable with three primary operators. Handle growth continues modestly. The state benefits from being surrounded by states with limited or no mobile betting (Mississippi retail-only, Oklahoma tribal-only) while competing with Tennessee and Louisiana for border-region bettors.
Responsible Gambling in Arkansas
The Arkansas Racing Commission regulates all casino and sports betting operations. All three active mobile operators (DraftKings, FanDuel, BetSaracen) and all casino sportsbooks are required to provide responsible gambling tools including self-exclusion, deposit limits, session time-outs, and problem gambling disclosures.
Need Help?
Call 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-522-4700) — available 24/7, free and confidential. You can self-exclude through any licensed sportsbook app or at any of the four casino properties.
Arkansas Sports Betting FAQ
Is sports betting legal in Arkansas?
What sportsbooks are available in Arkansas?
How old do you have to be to bet in Arkansas?
What is the casino-tethered model?
What is the tax rate on Arkansas sports betting?
Can I bet on the Razorbacks?
What happened with the Pope County casino?
How does Oaklawn compare to the other casinos?
Can tourists bet in Arkansas?
What teams are most popular for betting in Arkansas?
Is DFS legal in Arkansas?
What responsible gambling resources are available in Arkansas?
Arkansas Sports Betting — The Complete Picture
Arkansas's sports betting journey started with a ballot measure and a bet on casinos. When voters approved Issue 4 in November 2018, they weren't just legalizing sports wagering — they were creating a casino industry from scratch. Hot Springs had Oaklawn (racing since 1904), and West Memphis had Southland (greyhound track), but full casinos were new. Saracen in Pine Bluff was built from the ground up. The Pope County license remains in limbo.
The mobile launch in March 2022 was the real game-changer. Retail handle had plateaued around $160 million — respectable but limited by geography. Mobile immediately expanded access to all 3 million Arkansans, and handle jumped 2.5x in the first year. DraftKings and FanDuel brought national-quality apps, odds, and promotions to a state that had been limited to casino visits.
The casino-tethered model is a compromise that works. Casinos get a revenue share from mobile bets placed anywhere in the state, which funds their continued investment in physical properties. Bettors get the apps they want without driving to Hot Springs or West Memphis. The 20% mobile tax is higher than some states but hasn't deterred operator investment — DraftKings and FanDuel treat Arkansas as a genuine market, not an afterthought.
For Arkansas bettors in 2026, Razorback Nation has solid options. Three mobile operators cover the essential needs: DraftKings for depth and SGPs, FanDuel for sharp odds, and BetSaracen/Caesars for loyalty rewards. The ability to shop lines across three apps gives AR bettors a meaningful advantage over single-operator states. Add in the Oaklawn horse racing connection, SEC football Saturdays, and the Jerry Jones-Cowboys pipeline, and Arkansas has a compact but genuine sports betting culture.