Online Gambling in Arkansas: Quick Facts
- Legal Arkansas online gambling options? N/A
- Legal gambling age: 21
- Who regulates Arkansas online gambling? N/A
- Legal mobile gambling? No
- Do I need to be physically located in Arkansas to gamble online? N/A
- Do I need to be a resident of Arkansas to gamble online? N/A
- Sports available to bet on: None
A Brief History of Arkansas Online Gambling
Some states in the US have very interesting gambling laws in place, but that’s not the case in Arkansas. The gambling laws in Arkansas are clear, especially when it comes to online gambling.
The state constitution has an amendment prohibiting online gambling of any kind. It would take another amendment to make a change to the law. This is something that could eventually be done, but there haven’t been any recent attempts made.
It has become pretty clear that most residents in the state are in favor of expanding gaming options, including online. If a referendum were to end up on the ballot, it is likely that the measure would get passed.
The problem is that the laws are simply too restrictive, and most lawmakers are not looking to challenge these laws. Arkansas will be facing pressure from surrounding states soon, and that could help get something done.
Arkansas Online Gambling: The Current Law
There is not much to discuss when looking at the online gambling law in Arkansas. The law states that all forms of online gambling are prohibited. It would be a long and difficult process to make any changes.
There is also no leeway in the language of the law, and it’s not like one form of online gambling can launch over another. Voters in the state would have to approve online gambling first before lawmakers were then able to look at changing the laws.
Legal Online Sportsbooks in Arkansas
There are no legal online sportsbooks in Arkansas, but there are some retail locations that will accept wagers on sports. Arkansas sports betting actually launched on July 1, 2019, but there hasn’t been a ton of growth since that time.
When Arizona voters approved a new constitutional amendment, it allowed certain properties in the state to offer retail or in-person sports betting. Eventually, four locations in Arkansas will be able to accept wagers. However, there are currently just three locations up and running.
Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort and Southland Casino Racing are the two big racetracks in the state, and they were the first two to offer sports betting. Saracen Casino Resort was the third retail sports betting option in the state, and another property has yet to be built.
Sports Betting in Arkansas
Sports betting in Arkansas is not a large market, and there isn’t really much room for any growth. Since all of the betting must be done in-person, that limits where customers can go to place bets.
Arkansas was one of the first in the US to legalize and launch sports betting, and it has provided a boost to the race tracks and casinos.
Here are some of the most popular betting options in Arkansas, with a quick description of each of them.
Moneyline
A money line is perhaps the easiest form of bet to make, and it is a great bet for beginners to make. With this type of bet, you are simply just picking the team to win a game based on the odds set by sportsbooks.
Points Spread
Point spread wagers are extremely common in basketball and football, but this is a bet that you can find on other sports as well. This is usually referred to as betting “against the spread,” and you are focused on the spread of the final score.
Totals (Over/Under)
A total bet simply focuses on the total number of points in a game, and you don’t have to worry about which teams win or lose. This is another type of bet that is popular with basketball and football since there are so many points scored.
Prop Bets
Prop betting became famous during the Super Bowl, but it is now offered on most top sporting events. Bettors usually consider prop betting as more enjoyable or more fun, but it is a great way to win some money.
Future Bets
A future bet is kind of unique as you are making a wager on something that will happen in the future. Some examples of this type of wager are:
- Which team will win the World Series?
- Who will be named the NBA MVP?
- Which golfer will win the Masters?
Parlay Bets
A parlay bet has become a popular betting option in Arkansas and throughout the rest of the United States. This is a combination style of bet that allows you to combine single wagers into a large play. There is a chance to win some big money with this bet, but the risk is also higher.
Legal Online Casinos in Arkansas
With the strict laws prohibiting any forms of online gambling in the state, there are no legal online casinos in Arkansas. This state actually has very limited options when it comes to casinos, but there is a chance for more to launch in the coming years.
There are three racetracks or resorts that currently offer some form of casino gambling. These are also the properties that offer sports betting, as mentioned above.
If legal online casinos were able to launch in Arizona, then Southland Casino, Oaklawn Racing, and Saracen Casino would be the first three to offer this form of gambling.
Legal Online Poker in Arkansas
The status of online poker in Arkansas is the same as the status of online casinos. There aren’t any legal online poker options at this time, but this could be something that is changed in the future.
The big casinos or racinos in Arkansas are able to offer poker games, but they can’t host poker tournaments. Poker is played more like a table game as opposed to a big cash game.
There are also rules in place that state that home poker games for money are illegal in Arkansas. It’s not likely that you would get prosecuted for hosting these games, but it is technically illegal.
Lawmakers in Arkansas would have to clean up or change some of the current poker laws before any online options become available.
How to Set Up an Arkansas Online Gambling Account
Since Arkansas online gambling is expected to be an option at some point, you will probably want to eventually create an online account. This might seem like a hassle, but it is actually an easy process that can be completed in minutes.
The first step is to obviously access the online site and begin the registration process. This will likely be the first option you see on the site or on the mobile app if those are available as well.
These online sites will ask you for some personal information, and you will need to be as accurate as you possibly can. Entering your name, age, date of birth, and physical location are usually the first questions asked.
Some sites will also ask for at least four digits of your social security number, while others might ask for the whole thing. It’s important to note that these sites are safe, and providing that information is okay.
After your identification has been verified, then it’s time to set up a username and password to use at the site. Always choose a username that is unique, and be sure to remember the password that you have chosen.
From there, you can log into the site and visit the banking portion of the site. After you make your initial deposit, then you are free to start playing the games at the online sites.
Some of the iGaming sites will also offer two-way authentication, which will provide you with an extra layer of safety and security. If this is an option from the Arkansas online gambling site, then it is one that you should take advantage of.
Arkansas Banking Methods
Another area of online gambling that continues to improve is banking methods. This is a great thing for you as there are now more options, and all of them are quick and efficient.
It used to be that using a credit or debit card was one of the only ways to fund an account, but that is no longer the case. That is still an option that will be there for you, but there are better ways to start this process.
PayPal has emerged as one of the top banking methods used at online gambling sites, and this will be offered in Arkansas as well. Simply link your PayPal account to the online site, and you will be able to send money back and forth.
Most deposit options that you will see listed will get money into your account almost immediately. This provides a huge benefit if your account is empty and you want to continue playing.
Sites have also done a much better job of cleaning up the withdrawal process. There were times when this could take more than a week to complete, but some options now put money back into your pocket immediately.
The Future of Online Gambling in Arkansas
The fact that voters in Arkansas have already approved gaming expansion once gives some hope to online gambling in Arkansas. Residents didn’t have the option to approve iGaming with the initial vote, but the decision will ultimately be left up to them.
The iGaming industry continues to grow and become more popular in the US, and it’s likely that Arkansas will look to legalize this form of gambling as well. There is just too much money out there to sit back and not at least give it a shot.
It will probably take a few years before online gambling in Arkansas is an option, but it seems likely that it happens eventually.
