Online Gambling in
Arkansas
Arkansas is located right in the heart of the United States and is known for its picturesque landscape and natural beauty. When it comes to online gambling, however, the Natural State has traditionally been hesitant. It is safe to say gambling in Arkansas has not taken off in any form up until now.
However, that could be about to change. Residents approved a motion last year to expand gambling in the state of Arkansas, which includes sports betting. This led to a landmark moment on July 1, 2019, when sports betting officially went live at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort, one of two Arkansas racinos. It is hoped four sportsbooks will soon open in Arkansas, which will expand the gambling options in the state further. Work is already underway for a sportsbook to open at Southland Park Gaming & Racing. According to state law, two further sportsbooks are also permitted to open in the state. They will open once the operators build some properties to house those books.
Arkansas maintains stringent gambling laws, which is emphasized by the fact there are only two land-based casinos to be found in the state. Online casinos or online gambling in any form still has a way to go, but the news last year does offer some encouragement that players could soon be able to play casino games online.
Is It Legal In Arkansas?
There is currently no regulated online casino industry in Arkansas. Players cannot play online casino games for real money legally in the state. At the present moment, there is no online casino bill or real push to make it legal in the state of Arkansas, so it is hard to say if and when this will change. With the introduction of new gambling options such as sports betting, there is fresh hope Arkansas online gambling sites could be introduced at some point.
If Arkansas residents want to play classic casino table games and want to take part in some form of casino gambling, they need to visit a physical location.
Social Casinos In Arkansas
There is some online gambling action available in Arkansas. State law means sweepstake casinos are allowed in Arkansas, which will enable players to play some online slots and table games. One of the best online casino sweepstake sites is Chumba casino. This online gambling platform allows players to play table games, slots, and many more casino games.
Moreover, Chumba offers Arkansas residents an entertaining slots option through its exciting dual currency system. Players also have the opportunity to play for free or play for real money. Although there are no regulated online casinos in Arkansas, sweepstake casinos such as Chumba do offer a decent option in the meantime.
Arkansas Land-Based Casinos
As Arkansas has very strict gambling laws in place, it is no surprise to discover there are only two brick and mortar casinos located in the state. The two casinos in question, Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort, and Southland Park Casino Racing have offered casino gaming options since 2005. Before that, both locations were racetracks, with Oaklawn offering horse racing and Southland being a greyhound racing venue.
In 2005 both properties began to offer video poker and other casino games. This was very successful and led to both Oaklawn and Southland Park offering full casino play in 2018, thanks to a constitutional amendment. Both land-based casinos now offer live dealer casino games and slot machines.
The amendment also allows for the construction of two further land-based casinos, so there will be added competition in the state. Sports betting will also be permitted at all four locations. This is excellent news for residents as the gambling options continue to expand in Arkansas.
Arkansas Online Poker
It is not legal to play online poker for real money in Arkansas. The law in the Natural state dictates that no mobile poker play is allowed unless you are at a physical location. As there are currently no legal poker venues in Arkansas, that does not leave Arkansas residents with many choices.
However, there is a sweepstakes site where Arkansas residents can play online poker against real US players. Global Poker is the sister site of Chumba casino, and as they are both sweepstakes sites, they are legal gambling sites. Players in Arkansas can access these online games and take part in live-action against other players from across the country. Thanks to the dual currency system on the Global site, players can play for fun or attempt to win big.
What Gambling Is Legal In Arkansas?
There are no blurred lines or half in half out measures when it comes to online gambling in Arkansas. The current law states it is illegal for online casinos to operate in the state. In fact, gambling is quite straightforward in the Natural state.
Before 2018, the only gambling options in Arkansas were two horseracing tracks and a state lottery. However, in November 2018, this changed as voters approved some significant changes to Arkansas’s gambling laws. This has meant a bit of Las Vegas arrived in the state in the form of slots and table games being offered at the two brick and mortar casinos. Sportsbooks have now opened up as well, giving Arkansas residents sports betting options.
There will soon be two more physical casino properties in Arkansas in Jefferson and Pope counties. Arkansas online casinos continue to be prohibited, but there is progress where state gambling is concerned.
Bonuses & Promotions at Arkansas Casinos
Although online casinos are not currently permitted in Arkansas, it is worth players being informed of what typical bonus offers to look out for if the law changes. A nice welcome bonus or a free bet can get your bankroll off to a great start. Competition in the regulated online casino market is intense, with many online casinos vying to win your custom. Therefore, it is in their interest to offer players a generous welcome offer to encourage them to sign up.
Bonuses can appear in numerous different formats, with the most common including:
Welcome Bonus
A welcome bonus can come in several different forms. An online casino may decide to offer a welcome bonus that comes in two parts or one that offers free spins on certain slot games. All players need to do is opt-in to receive the welcome bonus, and the funds will be credited to their accounts. Make sure you are aware of the terms and wagering requirements of the bonus before playing.
No Deposit Bonus
If you were to come across a no deposit bonus at an Arkansas online casino, you are in luck! Thes are fantastic for new players to test the games at a casino before deciding to play for real cash. All you need to do is register at an online casino, and your account will receive the bonus funds, usually up to $20. The casino may state you can only use the funds on specific games, but that shouldn’t be a problem.
Banking
There are no regulated Arkansas online gambling sites, but players should note the common deposit and withdrawal options offered by regulated online casinos. As technology as advanced, payment methods such as e-wallets have made receiving your funds a simple process. If and when the state decides to regulate online gambling sites, the most common payment methods will include:
- Visa/Mastercard
- PayPal
- Neteller
- Skrill
- ACH/E-check
- Online Bank transfer
- PayNearMe at 7-Eleven
Withdrawal times will vary depending on the method you select. Once gambling sites are legal and regulated in Arkansas, all financial transactions will be safe and secure.
Arkansas Gambling News
This page will bring you all of the latest gambling news from the Natural State. We will provide updates on any new sites, legislation changes, new commercial casinos, and more.
