The Arkansas Racing Commission voted unanimously on February 26, 2026, to approve FanDuel and DraftKings, unleashing two giants into the state’s online sports betting scene. This wasn’t some quiet move, either. These two massive operators accepted a revenue split that had kept others out for ages, finally opening the floodgates for bettors in Arkansas just a few weeks later on March 20, 2026. This isn’t just about more apps on your phone; it’s a huge shift in how the state’s betting market operates.
Arkansas’ Stubborn 51% Revenue Split Finally Met Its Match
Arkansas sports betting has been legal since 2019, with online action kicking off in 2022. But for a long time, the options were super limited. Why? Because the state laid down a rule: third-party operators, like FanDuel and DraftKings, had to give more than half their revenue, 51% to be exact, to their in-state partners. That’s a tough pill for any major player to swallow, and it kept the big names on the sidelines. The Arkansas Racing Commission first approved this 51% revenue-sharing rule way back on December 30, 2021, and the Arkansas Legislative Council finalized it on February 22, 2022.
Before the giants landed, Southland Casino launched Betly on March 5, 2022. Then Saracen Casino’s BETSaracen app went live on May 10, 2022, and Oaklawn Sports mobile app followed in August 2022. These were the only games in town. But with DraftKings partnering with Southland Casino Hotel and FanDuel teaming up with Oaklawn Casino, that 51% hurdle is officially cleared. The ARC granting those sports wagering vendor licenses on February 26, 2026, was the green light everyone was waiting for.
From a $5 Bet to a Billion-Dollar Market: Now It’s Real
Think about where this market started. The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in May 2018, opening the door nationwide. Arkansas voters wasted no time, passing Issue 4 (Amendment 100) on November 6, 2018, which authorized casino gaming and legal sports betting. The very first legal sports bet in Arkansas, a $5 wager on the Dallas Cowboys, was placed at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort on July 1, 2019. That’s a humble beginning for what’s become a massive industry.
Fast forward to September 24, 2024, and Arkansas sportsbooks had already cleared a staggering $1 billion in total handle. A billion dollars! That’s serious money changing hands, even with limited operators. Now, with DraftKings and FanDuel officially in the mix as of March 20, 2026, that number is only going one way: up. This is a complete game-changer for accessibility and competition within the state.
This is big, folks. With DraftKings and FanDuel finally in the game, the Arkansas market is absolutely going to heat up. Don’t forget, new FanDuel users can snag $350 in bonus bets by betting just $5 for seven days. Get ready, Arkansas, because your betting landscape just leveled up.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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