Arkansas
Sports Betting
5 licensed online operators, live since Mar 2022. Operator tax 13-20%. Read on for legal status, current operators, and how to bet here.
Our dedicated Arkansas site has deeper coverage: full operator reviews, complete timeline, every sportsbook bonus, and state-specific FAQs.
Visit bettinginar.com →Sports betting in Arkansas
Arkansas has a unique 51% revenue-share rule that kept major operators out until 2026. DraftKings and FanDuel finally launched in March 2026 after receiving approval.
Legal Status
Sports betting is fully legal in Arkansas, including both retail and online/mobile wagering. The market is regulated by the Arkansas Racing Commission. The minimum age to bet is 21, and bettors must be physically located within Arkansas state lines to place a wager; residency is not required.
Tax and Regulation
Arkansas taxes sports betting operators at 13-20% of adjusted gross revenue. The state has 5 licensed sportsbook operators serving the market. The first sportsbooks launched in Mar 2022.
How to Start Betting in Arkansas
To place a legal sports bet in Arkansas, you must (1) be at least 21 years old, (2) be physically located within the state (verified by geolocation), and (3) create an account with a licensed operator. Most major sportsbooks including DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and Caesars are available in most legal states. Check the operator list specific to Arkansas for the most current options.
Sportsbooks Available in Arkansas
The following 5 sportsbooks are currently licensed and active in Arkansas. All operators are regulated by the Arkansas Racing Commission.
FanDuel
Launched March 2026
Welcome offerGet $300 Back in Bonus Bets, 10 Days of No-Sweat Bets
National · 26 states→DraftKings
Launched March 2026
Welcome offerBet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets + NCAA Tournament Profit Boost
National · 30 states→BetMGM
Oaklawn Racing Casino partner
Welcome offerFirst Bet Offer Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets
National · 26 states→Caesars
Southland Casino partner
Welcome offerBet $1, Double Your Winnings Next 10 Bets (up to $25 per token)
National · 26 states→Betly
Saracen Casino partner
Operator comparison · Arkansas · sorted by editorial rating
| # | Operator | Rating | Welcome Bonus | Arkansas note | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FanDuel Flutter Entertainment plc (NYSE: FLUT) | Get $300 Back in Bonus Bets, 10 Days of No-Sweat Bets | Launched March 2026 | Read review → | |
| 2 | DraftKings DraftKings Inc. (NASDAQ: DKNG) | Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets + NCAA Tournament Profit Boost | Launched March 2026 | Read review → | |
| 3 | BetMGM MGM Resorts International & Entain plc (50/50 JV) | First Bet Offer Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets | Oaklawn Racing Casino partner | Read review → | |
| 4 | Caesars Caesars Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: CZR) | Bet $1, Double Your Winnings Next 10 Bets (up to $25 per token) | Southland Casino partner | Read review → | |
| 5 | Betly | -- | Varies | Saracen Casino partner | -- |
All operators above are licensed by the Arkansas Racing Commission and accept bets only from inside Arkansas state lines (verified by geolocation). Tax rate: 13-20%. Minimum age: 21. See where Arkansas's sports betting tax revenue actually goes →
Best sportsbook in Arkansas → Compare Arkansas welcome bonuses →
Arkansas Operator Comparison · Who Wins What
Five decision axes across the top 4 licensed operators in Arkansas. We compute the winner per axis from operator metadata (rating, bonus dollar amount, app store rating, payout speed, payment-method count). Use this as a shortcut when you want one operator for one specific reason.
- Editor's pick Best overall ratingFanDuelRating 4.8 / 5
- Biggest bonus Highest headline dollar valueBetMGM$1,500
- Best mobile app Combined iOS + Android ratingFanDueliOS 4.8 · Android 4.7
- Fastest payout Quickest verified withdrawal pathFanDuelPayPal (under 1 hour)
- Most payment methods Widest deposit / withdrawal rangeFanDuel9 methods
Bottom line for Arkansas: FanDuel is our top pick at 4.8 / 5. Polished mobile app and the SGP+ builder, which lets bettors create same-game parlays faster and with better correlation pricing than at competitors. Different bettor profiles may prefer the category-specific winners above (sharp parlay players favor the SGP+ leader; small-stake casuals usually do better with whichever operator carries the lowest rollover requirement).
Need help? You're not alone
Sports betting in Arkansas is for adults 21+. If gambling stops being fun, or you're worried about someone else, these Arkansas-relevant resources are free, confidential, and available 24/7.
Arkansas defers to the national 1-800-GAMBLER helpline. State-administered support is available through Arkansas DHS Behavioral Health.
Helplines
- 1-800-426-2537 1-800-GAMBLER (National Problem Gambling Helpline) Text "HELPLINE" to 800GAM (800426) ncpg.org ↗
Warning signs include: chasing losses, betting more than you can afford, hiding bets from family, or feeling anxious when not betting. Self-exclusion programs are available through every licensed Arkansas operator and through the Arkansas Racing Commission.
How to bet on sports in Arkansas
A step-by-step walkthrough for placing your first legal sports bet in Arkansas.
- 01
Choose a licensed sportsbook
Arkansas has 5 licensed online sportsbooks, with FanDuel the largest national operator. National books like DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and Caesars use a single account that works across all legal states.
- 02
Verify you are 21+ and a US resident
Sign up online with your legal name, date of birth, address, and last four of your SSN. Operators verify your identity through a soft credit check; this does not affect your credit score.
- 03
Confirm your location is inside the state
Operators use device geolocation to confirm you are physically inside Arkansas at the moment of betting. Residency is not required; visitors can bet here. You cannot bet from outside the state, even if your account is registered to a Arkansas address.
- 04
Fund your account
Most operators accept ACH bank transfer, debit card, credit card, PayPal, Venmo, online banking, and pay-by-app methods like Apple Pay. Deposits typically clear instantly.
- 05
Place your first bet
Pick a market (moneyline, spread, total, or prop), set your stake, and review the bet slip before submitting. Most operators show your potential payout inline before you confirm.
Arkansas Sports Betting Timeline
Key milestones in the Arkansas legal sports betting market, from the federal PASPA ruling through launch and ongoing regulatory changes.
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PASPA struck down
Supreme Court ruling in Murphy v. NCAA returned sports betting authority to the states.
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Arkansas launches sports betting
Market goes live under Arkansas Racing Commission.
-
DraftKings and FanDuel finally launch in Arkansas
After being kept out by the unique 51% revenue-share rule, DraftKings and FanDuel went live in Arkansas in March 2026, joining Caesars, BetMGM and Betly.
Arkansas Sports Betting FAQ
Is online sports betting legal in Arkansas?
Yes, online sports betting is fully legal in Arkansas. The market launched in Mar 2022 and is regulated by the Arkansas Racing Commission. 5 licensed operators currently serve the state.
What is the minimum age to bet on sports in Arkansas?
You must be at least 21 years old to place a legal sports bet in Arkansas. Operators verify age via SSN and ID checks during account registration.
Which sportsbooks are available in Arkansas?
Arkansas has 5 licensed online operators including DraftKings, FanDuel, Betly, Caesars, BetMGM.
What is the sports betting tax rate in Arkansas?
Arkansas taxes sports betting operators at 13-20% of adjusted gross revenue. This is paid by the operator, not the bettor, but it does affect promo offers and pricing competitiveness.
Do I have to live in Arkansas to bet there?
No, residency is not required. You only need to be physically located inside Arkansas state lines when placing the bet; the sportsbook verifies your location via geolocation. Visitors from other states can bet in Arkansas.
Can I bet on college sports in Arkansas?
Yes, Arkansas allows betting on college sports including in-state college teams.
Full Arkansas sports betting guide
This page gives you the essentials. If you want the complete picture (detailed sportsbook reviews, promo codes, market data, timeline, FAQs specific to Arkansas, and more), visit our dedicated Arkansas site at bettinginar.com. It's built specifically for bettors in Arkansas with all the local details we couldn't fit here.
Visit bettinginar.com →Other legal US states
Explore sports betting guides for other US states where wagering is fully legal.