Since sports betting went live six months ago in Arkansas, bettors have wagered $8.5 million at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in Hot Springs and the Saracen Casino Annex in Pine Bluff. The two properties have paid out a total of $7.5 million.
According to Arkansas Racing Commission Spokesperson Scott Hardin, “You have seen quite a bit wagered, but to put that in perspective during that same timeframe, at those same two locations, you had about $700 million wagered on those slot machines. It’s a developing sector of Arkansas’ casino industry.”
Hardin said Southland Casino Racing in West Memphis plans to offer sports betting but the racing commission hasn’t reviewed the final proposal.
Currently only on-site sports betting is allowed in Arkansas casinos. To allow mobile betting, Harding said, “The racing commission would make the change. They would edit the rule. The rule is then provided to some legislative committees to look at, really give that rubber stamp of approval and then once that’s finished, the rule is in place.”
Hardin added a request must come from a casino for the racing commission to change the rule regarding off-site betting. Right now, the off-site betting only is permitted through the Oaklawn Anywhere app used for horserace betting.
