Arkansas sports wagering was legalized in November 2018 - 6 months after the federal restriction on sports betting was raised in the United States. After several stopped working efforts to bring mobile sports betting to the Land of Opportunity, Arkansans lastly saw online sportsbooks get here in March 2022.

Here's a glance into Arkansas' sports betting journey:

March 20, 2026: After both FanDuel and DraftKings protected licenses in Arkansas last month, both books released in the Natural State March 20th.

Feb. 26, 2026: Arkansas regulators unanimously authorized FanDuel and DraftKings to launch mobile sportsbooks through collaborations with Oaklawn and Southland gambling establishments.

Feb. 19, 2026: FanDuel and DraftKings could be running sports wagering in Arkansas before completion of February.

April 1, 2025: An expense to legislate genuine cash online gambling establishment video gaming platforms in Arkansas didn't advance out of a preliminary committee hearing, highlighting its stalled momentum in the legislature.

March 20, 2025: Arkansas legislators are taking a perform at legislating online casinos and banning sweepstakes video gaming.

March 10, 2025: An Arkansas legislator is proposing constitutional changes to gambling establishment gaming which would enable online slots and table games like blackjack and roulette to be played.

Feb. 16, 2024: Several states, including Arkansas, sent cease-and-desists letters to daily fantasy sports (DFS) operators Underdog and PrizePicks for offering unlicensed sports betting.

Sept. 2, 2022: The Oaklawn Sports mobile app launches in Arkansas, ending up being the state's third legal online alternative.

Aug. 23, 2022: Kambi extends its partnership with Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort. The brand-new agreement consists of Oaklawn's retail sportsbook and an online sportsbook option for the upcoming launch of 'Oaklawn Sports.'

May 10, 2022: After months of delay, Saracen Casino Resort's BetSaracen mobile app officially goes live. It is only the second legal Arkansas sports wagering platform to launch.

March 23, 2022: Saracen Casino Resort's BetSaracen mobile app has yet to launch. The operator had wished to go live for March Madness, citing problems with 'partners, vendors, and testing laboratories' as the reason for the delay.

March 5, 2022: Betly ends up being the first legal online sportsbook to go reside in Arkansas.

March 4, 2022: Legal online Arkansas sports wagering is officially permitted to start, but the state's 3 gambling establishments aren't yet all set to provide it. The casinos are still expected to introduce mobile sportsbooks before March Madness.

Feb. 22, 2022: Arkansas' mobile sports betting guidelines are officially authorized by the state legislature's Joint Budget Committee. Online sports wagering is on track to release in time for March Madness.

Feb. 17, 2022: Lawmakers approve modifications to gambling rules that would allow for legal online sports betting in . The proposed rules advance to the state legislature's joint budget committee for a last vote.

Jan. 25, 2022: The Arkansas Racing Commission removes mobile sports wagering from the legal program, asking for the upgraded rule be discussed at a future conference. The last-minute delay will prevent the state from launching mobile sports wagering before Super Bowl 56.

Dec. 30, 2021: The Arkansas Racing Commission approves changes to Arkansas' gambling establishment video gaming guidelines to enable mobile sports wagering. The proposed modifications would see online operators partner with and surrender 51% of revenues to regional gambling establishments.

Jan. 28, 2020: Betly sportsbook introduces a retail sportsbook in Southland Casino Racing.

Oct. 1, 2019: Saracen Casino resort opens Saracen Sportsbook, the 2nd retail sportsbook in Arkansas.

July 1, 2019: Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort takes Arkansas' very first legal sports bet as general manager Wayne Smith selects the Dallas Cowboys to beat the New york city Giants in the very first video game of the 2018-19 NFL season.

November 2018: State citizens approve a tally effort to legislate gambling establishment video gaming. Retail sports wagering is consisted of in the initiative.