Arkansas allows real money online sports betting, but options are limited. If you're a bettor in the state, you can only stake on Arkansas sportsbooks operated by local casino resorts. There are three of them at the moment. For a broader look at the national landscape, check out our guide to the Best Sportsbooks available across the US.
Based on our research, the state-approved sportsbooks offer sufficient betting features. Perhaps you're in Arkansas and you want more options. In that case, you can try Best Sweepstakes Casinos, which are permitted in the state. Keep reading as we discuss more about the online sports betting situation in the Natural State.
Quick facts about AR sportsbooks
- Arkansas legalized online sports betting in March 2022.
- Betly, BetSaracen, and Oaklawn Sportsbook are the three sportsbooks in the state.
- Sweepstakes sportsbooks are available in AR.
What betting sites are legal in Arkansas?
Three betting sites, operated by local casino establishments, are legal in Arkansas. These include:
| Sportsbook | Operator |
| Betly Sportsbook | Southland Casino Racing |
| BetSaracen | Saracen Casino Resort |
| Oaklawn Sportsbook | The Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort |
From our findings, the state's legislature legalized the above platforms in March 2022. The casino resorts were already taking in-person wagers since 2019. By 2022, the Arkansas Racing Commission (ARC) approved rules for them to launch online betting sites and apps.
We tested the three Arkansas sportsbooks and found they offer good coverage. With any of them, you can bet on popular sports such as football, basketball, hockey, golf, and MMA. They even have sportsbook promos like free bets and lossback. Importantly, you must be 21 years old and above to register and bet in AR. If you're looking for more ways to get value, check out the latest Arkansas sportsbook promos available right now.
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Factors for choosing the best Arkansas sportsbook sites
You can only use an Arkansas sportsbook licensed and regulated by the Racing Commission. Though there are just three options available, here's how you can compare them to choose the best. For a broader look at what today's top operators offer, our guide to the best sportsbooks is a useful reference point.
Betting market depth
Start by looking at the betting market coverage for the featured sports, especially those you follow the most. The popular three are moneyline (game winner), totals (over/under), and spreads. Away from these, the best sportsbook will have several player and team props, futures, and special live markets.
Odds value
The odds tell you how generous a betting site is with returns. You analyze them by calculating the vig or juice, and there are several free online tools to help with this. As experts, we recognize vig of 8% and below as competitive for any Arkansas sportsbook. The lower, the better.
Bonus structure and terms
By structure, we mean the types of promos on offer. The three Arkansas online sportsbooks may not regularly feature bonuses since there's not much competition. However, the site you choose should at least have a welcome offer and some ongoing promos for existing bettors.
When choosing, review the terms and conditions to determine which bonuses are valuable. Necessary details include the minimum deposit, wagering requirement, bet limits, and the validity period. If the conditions are too tight, you may not get anything out of the promo.
Payment options and speed
Secure and familiar payment methods are non-negotiable for online betting. Thankfully, the state-approved sportsbooks in Arkansas have these. They offer options such as credit/debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, and ACH transfers. Still, compare the methods to ensure the best sportsbook you select has what you prefer.
Next, pay attention to the speed. We don't place much emphasis on deposits since the transactions are often instant. As such, speed matters most for withdrawals. Processing shouldn't take more than 1 to 3 business days, except for traditional transfers, which can take 5 to 7 days.
Support response time
How long does it take to get a response when you reach out to the customer support team? That's what this factor is all about.
To qualify as the best sportsbook in Arkansas, the site must offer 24/7 customer service via live chat and email. Live chat responses should take within five minutes, and 0 to 12 hours is ideal for email.
Mobile app
We confirmed that all three sportsbooks in Arkansas have mobile apps. That's a good development, as it means you can bet on the go via a dedicated platform. You can choose the best by comparing the apps for speed and responsiveness. The goal is to select an application that feels the smoothest when browsing and staking.
Tips for betting safely in Arkansas
Sports results can go both ways, which is why we always encourage responsible betting. If you sign up with an Arkansas sportsbook, here's how you can stay safe:
🎲 Start with small bets
Our first tip applies if you're a new AR bettor. We advise setting your opening stakes to 1% to 2% of your total betting bankroll. For instance, if you set aside $100 for betting in a month, each wager should be between $1 and $2. This way, you can make multiple bets and learn how things work without running down your funds quickly.
📊 Understand the odds
Always read the odds and know what they actually return before betting. If it's a -110 line, it means you have to bet $110 to win $100. In contrast, +110 pays $110 for a $100 wager.
⚽ Narrow down on the sports you follow
Arkansas sportsbooks list several sports, but that doesn't mean you should bet on all of them. Based on our experience, you'll see better results in the long run if you focus on one or two leagues you follow well. You can pick from the NFL, NBA, NHL, or MLB for a start.
🔒 Set limits and stick to them
Any Arkansas sportsbook you register with will offer tools to set various limits. These include deposit, loss, wager, and time limits, among others. We recommend applying these settings in a way that works for you and following them. Once you hit any of the limits, stop betting until the next period.
🚫 Don't chase losses
Last but not least, learn to accept wins and losses as part of the sports betting experience. After a losing session, don't increase your bet size to recover. That could lead to your remaining funds disappearing fast. Retain your initial stake amount, and be more careful with your subsequent predictions.
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What you should know about AR sweepstakes sportsbooks
Since Arkansas has only three real money sportsbooks, we understand why you'll want more options as a bettor in the state. If so, don't go for offshore sites, as they're not legal. Instead, consider social sportsbooks and sweepstakes platforms that are available to players across the country.
At sweepstakes sportsbooks, there are no real money bets. Instead, you make your picks using two virtual currencies: Gold Coins (GC) and Sweepstakes Coins (SC). That's what makes them different from traditional betting sites in Arkansas.
If you bet with Gold Coins, it's just for fun and entertainment. On the other hand, using Sweepstakes Coins allows you to redeem real prizes if you meet the brand's playthrough and eligibility requirements. In our experience, sweepstakes sportsbooks mainly support cash prizes and gift cards for redemption. For a full breakdown of how these platforms work, our best sweepstakes casinos guide covers everything you need to know.
The sportsbooks are allowed in the Natural State due to their virtual currency model. Plus, they don't support deposits. You can only purchase GC bundles to increase your balance, but it's entirely optional. Many players also look for sweepstakes casino no deposit bonuses to get started without spending anything upfront.
Pros and cons of Arkansas sportsbooks
The fact that sports betting is legal in Arkansas is an upside, as you can safely wager with real money. With the ARC's oversight, the market is well-regulated, but the downside is that only three sites are available. Well, the silver lining is that sweepstakes sportsbooks are permitted, giving you alternatives. We've summarized these points below:
- Legal sports betting since 2022
- Regulations by the ARC
- Permits sweepstakes sportsbooks
- Limited sportsbook options
Sports betting in Arkansas — final thoughts
As an AR online bettor, you can bet on Betly, BetSaracen, or Oaklawn Sportsbook. These are the three legal Arkansas sportsbooks, licensed and regulated by the Racing Commission. We'd prefer if more traditional betting sites were available in the state, but that's what the law currently permits.
The situation in Arkansas is still better than in some US states where online betting is prohibited. Besides, the approved sportsbooks still cover a decent range of sports and bonuses. You can go with any you prefer, and remember that sweepstakes sites are an alternative. Our free picks are also available to help inform your wagers regardless of which platform you use.
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Arkansas sportsbooks FAQs
Are sportsbooks legal in Arkansas?
Yes, sportsbooks are legal in Arkansas. The state legalized online betting in 2022, but only three sportsbooks operated by local casino resorts are licensed.
Is Fanatics Sportsbook in Arkansas?
No, Fanatics Sportsbook isn't available in Arkansas. The state only licenses sportsbooks owned by local casino resorts, including Betly, BetSaracen, and Oaklawn Sportsbook.
What is the best Arkansas sports betting app?
We can't name a single best Arkansas sports betting app since it depends on your preferences as a bettor. That said, the state has just three options: Betly, BetSaracen, and Oaklawn Sportsbook.
Are sweepstakes sportsbooks legal in Arkansas?
Yes, sweepstakes sportsbooks are legal in Arkansas. The Natural State allows the sites to operate because they use virtual currencies rather than real money.
Is BetMGM available in Arkansas?
No, BetMGM isn't available in Arkansas. The popular sportsbook brand doesn't hold a license from the Arkansas Racing Commission, so it can't operate in the state.
