Table of Contents
While sports betting is legal in Arkansas, the market isn’t as robust as it is in other states. There are only three mobile sportsbook options for bettors in the Natural State.
Arkansas became one of the first states outside of Nevada to legalize sports betting, doing so in November 2018. It only legalized in-person betting at first, however, which launched the following July. Arkansas took several years to legalize mobile sports betting, which went live in March 2022.
While Arkansas doesn’t have any professional sports teams of its own, there are still options to wager on out-of-state teams as well as the state’s college teams.
Here’s a look at the sports betting scene in Arkansas.
Arkansas Sports Betting Sites
As mentioned above, there are three sports betting sites available in Arkansas.
- Betly Sportsbook: An online sportsbook run through Mardi Gras Casino in Louisiana, Betly is also live in West Virginia and Tennessee. It launched in Arkansas on March 5, 2022, and was the state’s first legal online sportsbook.
- BetSaracen: The mobile sportsbook arm of Saracen Casino in Pine Bluff, this mobile sportsbook launched in Arkansas on May 10, 2022. Users can gain rewards points to use at Saracen’s physical casino.
- Oaklawn Sports: Another sportsbook run by a local casino, this mobile sportsbook launched in Arkansas on Sept. 2, 2022.
Legal Sports Betting Age
Like most states with legal sports betting, Arkansas requires bettors to be at least 21 years old to place a legal sports bet in the state.
Online sportsbooks verify your age during the registration process by confirming your date of birth. If you are under 21, you won’t be able to sign up for a sportsbook account or place a sports bet at any of the state’s land-based casinos.
Professional Sports Teams in Arkansas
Arkansas doesn’t have any professional sports teams.
The state has two minor-league baseball teams – the Arkansas Travelers and the Northwest Arkansas Naturals – both of which play in the Texas League.
The Travelers are the Double-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners and play in Little Rock. The Naturals are the Double-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals and play in Springdale.
Arkansas borders Texas, Missouri, Louisiana and Tennessee, so many residents are fans of teams in those states.
College Teams in Arkansas
While Arkansas doesn’t have any professional sports teams, it does have several college sports teams that bettors can wager on.
- Arkansas Razorbacks
The state’s version of a professional team, the Razorbacks play in the SEC. They claimed one national championship in football (1964) and have an unclaimed championship (1977) as well. The Hogs have won 13 conference championships – all of which came while they were still in the Southwest Conference – and have also won 17 bowl games.
Arkansas has made it to six Final Fours in basketball with its lone national championship coming in 1994. The program turned over a new leaf in 2024 when legendary coach John Calipari left Kentucky to become the Razorbacks’ head coach.
- Arkansas State Red Wolves
The Red Wolves’ football team was founded in 1911 and competes in the Sun Belt. They claimed the 1970 Division II National Championship and their last conference championship came in 2016. They’ve also won four bowl games.
The Red Wolves’ lone NCAA Tournament appearance came in 1999 when they lost to Utah in the first round. They also had an NIT appearance in 1987.
- Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions
The Golden Lions play in the SWAC at the FCS level in football. They won the Black College National Championship in 2012 and have won three SWAC West division championships, with their most recent win coming in 2020.
After making the Division II NCAA Tournament in 1967, the Golden Lions made the Division I NCAA Tournament in 2010. They beat Winthrop in the First Four before losing to Duke in the first round.
- Central Arkansas Bears
The Bears play at the FCS level in football and joined the United Athletic Conference in 2023 after playing in the ASUN. They’ve won three national championships and have played in the FCS playoffs five times.
The men’s basketball team still plays in the ASUN and has never made a Division I NCAA Tournament. They previously made 15 NAIA Tournaments along with one Division II NCAA Tournament.
- Little Rock Trojans
The athletic program of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, the Trojans moved from the Sun Belt to the Ohio Valley Conference in 2022. They don’t have a football team but have made five NCAA Tournament appearances, earning first-round wins in 1986 and 2016.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I use a sports betting app in Arkansas?
Yes. Bettors located in Arkansas can use any of the state’s three certified sports betting apps as long as they’re at least 21 years old and physically located within the state.
Is DraftKings legal in Arkansas?
No, DraftKings isn’t one of the three sportsbooks available in Arkansas.
Is FanDuel legal in Arkansas?
No, FanDuel isn’t among Arkansas’ three legal sportsbooks.
How old do I have to be to gamble in Arkansas?
You need to be at least 21 years of age to bet on sports in Arkansas. If you’re under 21, you won’t be able to create an account with an online sportsbook or bet on sports in a retail casino.
How many online sportsbooks are in Arkansas?
There are three online sportsbooks in Arkansas:
- Betly Sportsbook
- BetSaracen
- Oaklawn Sports
Do you have to live in Arkansas to bet online?
No, you don’t have to live in Arkansas to bet online. You just have to be over the age of 21 and physically located in Arkansas.
When did Arkansas legalize online sports betting?
Arkansas debuted in-person sports betting in July 2019 before launching mobile sports betting in March 2022.
How can I fund my betting account in Arkansas?
If you’re using Betly, the only way you can fund your betting account is through Play+. You can fund accounts at BetSaracen and Oaklawn Sports using mobile deposits.
