Arkansas

Retail sports betting in Arkansas has been legal since 2018, and a few years later, in 2022, the state also allowed mobile betting. Residents can enjoy retail betting at three locations, with a fourth expected to be added, and each of these locations also has a mobile app available.

Whether it’s betting on their favorite sports team or their beloved Razorbacks, residents in Arkansas have no restrictions on what they can wager on. Many states restrict betting on in-state colleges or even college player props, but Arkansas allows both of those markets to be offered. The two biggest markets that are not allowed to be provided in AR are political markets and eSports.

The possibilities for betting on horse racing and greyhound racing are endless. The state has multiple racetracks where wagers can be placed and offers residents mobile racebooks they can download.

Daily Fantasy Sports apps are also available in the state, so AR residents truly have full reign over sports betting in the U.S.

Online sports betting in The Natural State

You couldn't find big-name sportsbooks like DraftKings or FanDuel in Arkansas up until February of 2026; instead, you could only find mobile betting apps connected to the state's three retail betting locations. These sportsbooks included Betly, Bet Saracen, and Oaklawn Sports, but after the state approved the entrance of DraftKings and FanDuel, the two mobile sports betting leaders will join Bet Saracen as the only mobile apps available.

The original apps weren't well-known outside Arkansas, but they enabled bettors to gamble from the comfort of their own homes, which had previously been impossible. Until that point, bettors had to be on location at one of these three retail casinos. However, a rule change in 2021 made sports betting more accessible for bettors, while also helping these retail locations continue to turn a profit.

State legislation allows up to eight online sportsbooks to be live in the state at one time, but for now, there are only plans for one more mobile book to join the market. The sportsbook will be tied directly to the new Legends Resort and Casino being built, but the launch timetable has yet to be determined.

One of the biggest things originally keeping brand-name operators out of the state is the revenue-sharing rule approved in 2022. This rule allows licensees to retain 51% of all sports betting revenue in a market-access agreement with an online operator. FanDuel and DraftKings were able to avoid this rule by coming in as platform providers and not as third-party providers.

All legal AR sports betting apps in 2026 (from newest to oldest):

Sports betting & gambling legislation in AR

In 2018, Arkansas voters approved Arkansas Issue 4, which allowed the introduction of sports betting. At the time, the state had only two functional casinos, but the initiative also included an expansion plan, which would introduce two more casinos and sportsbooks. It is important to note that this issue only pertained to in-person sports betting, as mobile betting was still not allowed after this was passed.

It wasn’t until 2021 that the Arkansas Racing Commission discussed the possibility of mobile betting and started developing rules and regulations for the topic. Those rules eventually received approval, and in April 2022, the Betly Sportsbook became the state's first legal mobile betting app.

All gambling income is also subject to a 3% state tax. While the set rate is 3%, each bettor may face a different tax rate based on their annual income. Like all states with regulated gambling, Arkansas requires bettors to adhere to the established rules and regulations. For instance, customers must be at least 21 years old to wager in person or online. The Arkansas Racing Commission enforces these rules for bettors, as well as the laws and regulations governing operators.

One of the other rules that the State Racing Commission enforces is remote registration, which allows them to create a betting account on a sportsbook without being present in that location.

Fairground favorites and wagering: A new twist on Arkansas' betting market

Arkansas county fairs are famous for their lively competitions, ranging from pie-eating contests to pig races and log-rolling showdowns. But could these quirky events become part of a legal betting market? While traditional sports betting is highly regulated, the rise of novelty wagering in other states opens the door for the possibility of expansion into Arkansas. Fairgoers could place bets on eating contests and pig races, which are not far off from the hot dog eating contests or animal races people wager on in other states. 

With fair competitions already attracting large crowds, legal betting could introduce an extra level of thrill, transforming small-town traditions into can’t-miss entertainment. However, state regulators would need to recognize these contests as legitimate gambling markets, which may present a legal challenge.

Most recent updates from the AR sports betting scene

• February 26, 2026: Despite Bet Saracen's efforts to stop it, the state of Arkansas has approved DraftKings and FanDuel to enter the state's mobile betting market. FanDuel will replace Oaklawn's self-owned app and DraftKings will replace Betly.

• February 19, 2026: Two major sportsbook operators, FanDuel and DraftKings, formally enter the licensing process in Arkansas, aiming to collaborate with one of the state's three approved casino properties. State rules require the casino partner to receive a majority share of mobile betting revenue. Officials must now decide whether outside operators can energize a market that has trailed peer states in wagering totals.

• January 2, 2026: Upon release of the odds, the Arkansas Razorbacks have the third-best odds to win the 2026 College World Series at (+1200).

• December 10, 2025: The Arkansas State Red Wolves will close out their season in the XBOX Bowl against the Mississippi State Bulldogs. The Red Wolves have opened as (+2.5) underdogs.

• December 1, 2025: After going 2-10 and failing to beat a Power-5 opponent, the Arkansas Razorbacks have hired Ryan Silverfield to be their next head coach.

• November 24, 2025: In their final game of the season, the Arkansas Razorbacks will host Missouri as (+2.5) home underdogs.

• November 17, 2025: Following a one-point loss to LSU, the Arkansas Razorbacks will take on the Texas Longhorns as (+10.5) underdogs in their final road game.

• November 10, 2025: The Arkansas Razorbacks have three regular-season games remaining to secure their first SEC win. The first of those three games has them sitting as (+5.5) underdogs to LSU.

In-person sports betting sites and locations

Arkansas will have four retail locations when the Legends Resort & Casino opens. Two retail locations that have been in operation for decades initially focused on horse racing, but have since expanded into their current form, thanks to the passage of Issue 4.

Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort was the first location in the state to accept a sports betting wager.

From ducks to dice: The hidden gambling culture in Arkansas hunting lodges

Arkansas is recognized as a top duck-hunting destination, attracting affluent sportsmen, executives, and even celebrities to its exclusive hunting lodges each season. But could these elite retreats also function as secret high-stakes gambling venues?

Rumors have long circulated that behind the closed doors of private hunting cabins and luxury lodges, some of the state’s wealthiest individuals participate in poker games, dice tournaments, and informal sports betting. Given the millions of dollars flowing through Arkansas’s hunting economy, it wouldn’t be surprising if some of that cash turned into poker chips and bets on the Razorbacks.

These exclusive gatherings are rumored to bring together politicians, corporate CEOs, and wealthy individuals, fostering an atmosphere where significant wagers can be made without scrutiny and regulatory oversight. While these underground casino scenes are largely speculative, similar activities have been discovered in other prominent hunting regions.

Retail betting locations in Arkansas are few and far between, so with a limited market, the behind-the-scenes high-stakes betting at these facilities is unlikely to stop anytime soon.

Betting on bling: How Arkansas could monetize its diamond tourism

At Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas, the only public diamond-bearing site in the U.S., tourists already dig for buried treasure. But what if those visitors could go home with money in their pockets even if they don’t find anything good? Through a novelty betting market, guests could place friendly wagers on who would find the largest diamond, the first colored gem, or even the carat weight closest to a preset number. With real-time weigh-ins and gem ID stations, the legwork is already in place to reinvent this fun tourist activity into a micro-wagering spectacle.

Arkansas would need to expand its gambling laws to include tourism-based or park-approved prop betting in order for these markets to come to fruition, but if they did, the Crater could become an uncharacteristic yet profitable destination market. Even modest wagers placed through a geofenced mobile app that is licensed in the state could generate thousands during peak season.

Sports betting in neighboring states

If Arkansas bettors wanted to venture into neighboring states to see what they have to offer in terms of sports betting, they would find states with primarily retail betting, except for Tennessee, which also offers mobile betting.

Click on the state name below to find more information about the surrounding states and what they truly have to offer.

Sports betting revenue impact on Arkansas’ economy

With just three retail locations and mobile betting apps, Arkansas reached the $1 billion mark for an all-time handle in late 2024. This figure is quite impressive, given that Arkansas lacked major operators and offered significantly fewer mobile apps than its neighboring states.

Looking at the revenue data further, the AR betting market has seen impressive year-over-year growth since the legalization of sports wagering in the state. In 2025, Arkansas' bettors clocked a total of $650.5 sports bets, indicating a 16.6% YoY growth compared to the 2024 total betting handle. However, regarding revenue and tax income, the annual figures were even better, with $60.6 million in sportsbook revenue (up 25.7% YoY) and $ 9.0 million in generated tax income (up 27.3% YoY).

There are currently only three licensed retail locations in the state, with one more expected to open once the building is completed. The license fee is currently unavailable. After the final retail facility is constructed, the state will likely experience even more significant monthly numbers in handle, revenue, and tax income. These retail facilities are subject to a tax rate of 13% on revenue of $150 million or less and 20% on all revenue exceeding $150 million.

Here, we'll take a closer look at their most recent monthly handle, revenue, and tax income figures to better understand their progress over the years and to provide insight into the expected spike in monthly numbers once the last retail facility is operational.

Arkansas sports betting record months:

• Sports betting handle: November 2025 ($79,322,192)

• Revenue: November 2024 ($9,201,130)

• Tax income: November 2024 ($1,196,147)

Latest AR sports betting revenue report breakdown (December 2025)

• Total betting handle: $65,180,000

• Gross revenue: $7,478,000

  • Hold: 11.47%

• Tax income for the state: $972,140

Reported by The Arkansas Racing Commission.

Recent revenue report data - Compared to the previous year (YoY)

Comparison: Arkansas' monthly sports betting handle (as of December 2025)

Comparison: AR betting-related revenue by month (as of December 2025)

AR sports betting revenue in 2026

The following table shows how lucrative Arkansas' legal sports betting market has been for the state during the present 2026 year. In addition to the vital figures, the MoM change is calculated and added, indicating how such numbers have changed compared to the previous month.

2025 betting revenue data

2024 revenue data

Yearly revenue totals

Turning cow chip contests into prop bet gold in the Natural State

Communities throughout Arkansas have long embraced one of the most uniquely rural traditions: the Cow Chip Toss. What started as a lighthearted celebration of country life has evolved into a surprisingly competitive and fan-favorite event. While the tradition is more locally known, one way to expand the event and bring more attention to it is through betting. 

By introducing Cow Chip Toss novelty prop bets, where spectators make unique wagers on categories such as' Longest Distance,' ' Hardest Throw,' or more. These contests have established rules and enthusiastic local participation, so with a wide base of people who have been competing in them for a while, there should be a group of individuals who could help set these markets appropriately.

With multiple local and licensed mobile apps in the state, Arkansas could transform this quirky event into a micro-wagering attraction that draws tourists, supports community organizations, and adds excitement to the state’s rapidly growing betting economy. If even 0.05% of Arkansas’s annual sports betting handle, which recently exceeded $550 million in 2024, were redirected to these types of novelty events, that could result in over $200,000 in new seasonal wagers and additional tax revenue as well.

How toad races could add thousands to Arkansas’s annual betting revenue

Conway’s annual Toad Suck Daze festival is already a fan favorite that draws a lot of spectators, but with the right legal framework, it could also jumpstart a profitable novelty betting market in Arkansas. If the state were to legalize festival-based prop wagers, events like toad races could generate new revenue streams from both festival regulars and curious tourists.

With clearly measurable markets such as race winners, longest leaps, or even toad weight classes, this niche wagering could certainly be integrated into mobile or retail sportsbooks. If even 0.1% of the state’s $300+ million annual betting handle came from novelty events, Arkansas could add $300,000 in wagers, producing $45,000 or more in tax revenue from a single festival season.

Expanding into culturally rooted, community-driven betting events would diversify Arkansas’s already strong betting economy, boost rural engagement, and help the state maximize future profits by standing out in a crowded market of states with sports betting bills.