Arkansas Racing Commission Approves Online Sports Betting Rules

By John Isaac,
Editor at online-gambling.com

John Isaac Editor at online-gambling.com

John Isaac is an editor with many years of experience in the gambling industry. He writes expert articles on card games like blackjack and poker. In addition, he is also well aware of the US gambling laws and the Indian and Dutch gambling markets. You can rely on verified information and insightful details.

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Last updated: January 12, 2022

On Dec 30, 2021, the Arkansas Racing Commission (ARC) passed a rule change whereby local casinos receive 51% of their winnings if they partner with a popular online bookmaker. If the Arkansas Legislative Council authorizes a law change to permit mobile sports betting in Arkansas, the gamblers can start online betting in February.

Saracen Casino Resort Chief Marketing Officer Carlton Saffa said that other casino operators across the state obeyed the 51% payout law. However, former state lawmaker John Barris, who now represents mobile sports betting nationally, thinks the 51% rule will not function beyond the state.

He believes that the state bookmaker will not be able to comfortably work with too large a “sacrificial” income from the game. In addition, Saff said that the gamblers are always looking for different options and will ultimately demand change and create a more realistic market than purely limited opportunities.

The limited choice can be attributed to a lack of competition, and a more foreign market, as bookmakers may prefer to stick with what is known and get the maximum benefit possible while lowering profits.

Arkansas Gambling Union discussed 51% Profit Sharing Rule

The ARC’s ruling is the outcome of weeks of litigation on different social media platforms. The main reason for the controversy is that online sports bettors often split between 5% and 15% of their winnings at states casinos. As a result, the 51% offer sparked flagrant debate and outrage across the country.

Several online sports betting companies including, BetMGM, FanDuel, Ballybet, and DraftKings bookmaker have formed a support group called Bet on Arkansas. They made an official site and Facebook page to post their thoughts on the 51% return rule.

These kinds of commercial contracts must be the outcome of direct discussions between the sports betting site and the casino without state interference. Arkansas Betting is also seeing strong margins for state online bookmaker providers looking to hard-hitting the online sports gambling market in Arkansas.

The company claims that players do not have access to the most trusted and reliable sports betting in the state.

Online Sports Betting Seeks Funding for Four Mobile Apps in State

Several members of the Arkansas alliance have officially requested the Racing Commission to reformat the rules change text, allowing each casino to offer four mobile applications instead of the two standard applications. Thus, the contest will intensify, and more taxpayer money will flow into the Arkansas treasury.

However, the language that enables each gambling casino to offer up to 2 applications remains within the rule adopted in 2021.

At a race committee meeting at the end of the year, Burris argued that online states sports betting could not work in the country if the 51% profit sharing law applied. He also said that casinos in Louisiana and other regions have announced their desire to partner with well-known betting companies from around the country.

While the states bookmaker must associate with casinos in Arkansas to operate in the state, local casinos can create gambling apps to allow players to play the mobile game in Arkansas.