Forget waiting around, because Arkansas sports betting took a massive leap forward on February 26, 2026. That’s when the Arkansas Racing Commission gave a unanimous thumbs-up to both FanDuel and DraftKings, officially bringing these giants into the state. And the best part? Just a few weeks later, on March 20, 2026, both apps launched their sports betting operations for everyone in Arkansas. This is a game-changer, no doubt about it.
Finally, The Big Players Are Here in AR
For years, sports betting in Arkansas has been legal, actually since way back in 2019, with online betting kicking off in 2022. But getting the big-name operators into the state was a grind, mostly because of this wild 51% revenue-sharing rule. Seriously, think about it: third-party operators have to give more than half their revenue, 51% to be exact, to their in-state partners. Most places, that’s a non-starter. But here’s the kicker: DraftKings and FanDuel actually accepted that split! DraftKings linked up with Southland Casino Hotel, and FanDuel partnered with Oaklawn Casino. These moves show just how much they see in the Arkansas market, because that 51% is a steep price, but they’re in the game now.
From $5 Wagers to Billions in Bets
The journey for legal sports betting in Arkansas has been a long one. It all started back in May 2018 when the Supreme Court struck down PASPA, opening the door for states to legalize. Arkansas voters jumped on it, passing Issue 4 in November 2018, which cleared the way for casino gaming and sports betting. The very first legal bet was a humble $5 wager on the Dallas Cowboys at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort back on July 1, 2019. Online sports betting got its framework through House Bill 1942 in April 2021, and by December 30, 2021, the Arkansas Racing Commission approved that now-infamous 51% revenue-sharing rule. It was finalized on February 22, 2022. Early apps like Southland Casino’s Betly, Saracen Casino’s BETSaracen, and the Oaklawn Sports mobile app went live throughout 2022, setting the stage. And by September 24, 2024, Arkansas sportsbooks had already cleared a staggering $1 billion in total handle. That’s some serious action!
So, what does this mean for bettors right now? With FanDuel and DraftKings officially in the mix as of October 2026, the options are better than ever. If you’re looking to jump in, FanDuel Arkansas is even offering new users $350 in bonus bets if they bet $5 for seven days. That’s a pretty sweet deal to get started! It’s going to be huge watching how these new players shake things up and what kind of action comes next for Arkansas sports betting.
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.
Leave a Reply