Arkansas sports betting was legislated in November 2018 - 6 months after the federal ban on sports wagering was lifted in the United States. After a number of failed efforts to bring mobile sports betting to the Land of Opportunity, Arkansans finally saw online sportsbooks arrive in March 2022.

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

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

Feb. 26, 2026: Arkansas regulators all approved FanDuel and DraftKings to introduce 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 real money online casino gaming platforms in Arkansas didn't advance out of an initial committee hearing, highlighting its stalled momentum in the legislature.

March 20, 2025: Arkansas lawmakers are taking a perform at legalizing online gambling establishments and banning sweepstakes gaming.

March 10, 2025: An Arkansas lawmaker 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, consisting of Arkansas, sent out cease-and-desists letters to day-to-day fantasy sports (DFS) operators Underdog and PrizePicks for providing unlicensed sports wagering.

Sept. 2, 2022: The Oaklawn Sports mobile app launches in Arkansas, ending up being the state's 3rd legal online option.

Aug. 23, 2022: Kambi extends its collaboration with Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort. The brand-new contract includes Oaklawn's retail sportsbook and an online sportsbook service for the upcoming launch of 'Oaklawn Sports.'

May 10, 2022: After months of hold-up, Saracen Casino Resort's BetSaracen mobile app formally 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 actually wanted to go live for March Madness, citing issues with 'partners, suppliers, and testing labs' as the reason for the hold-up.

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 allowed to begin, but the state's three gambling establishments aren't yet all set to offer it. The gambling establishments are still expected to release mobile sportsbooks before March Madness.

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

Feb. 17, 2022: Lawmakers authorize modifications to gambling guidelines that would enable legal online sports wagering in Arkansas. The proposed guidelines advance to the state legislature's joint budget plan committee for a final vote.

Jan. 25, 2022: The Arkansas Racing Commission gets rid of mobile sports wagering from the legislative program, asking for the updated guideline be gone over at a future meeting. The last-minute delay will prevent the state from launching mobile sports betting before Super Bowl 56.

Dec. 30, 2021: The Arkansas Racing Commission approves changes to Arkansas' casino gaming guidelines to enable mobile sports wagering. The proposed changes 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 second retail sportsbook in Arkansas.

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

November 2018: State citizens approve a ballot initiative to legalize gambling establishment gaming. Retail sports betting is consisted of in the initiative.