An Arkansas lawmaker wants to make a change to the Natural State’s gambling laws.
Sen. Bryan King (R-Green Forest) filed a joint resolution earlier this year to “amend Arkansas 32 Constitution, Amendment 100, concerning casino gaming.”
That’s as detailed as the resolution goes, the Natural State currently regulates three legal online sportsbooks and four land-based casinos. iGaming is not legal.
One operator is looking to change that.
The Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Bluff has reportedly wanted to discuss online gaming with the Arkansas Racing Commission. Saracen even began developing a prospective app.
“It would exactly mirror what we did with sports betting,” Carlton Saffa, Saracen Casino’s chief marketing officer, told KATV in September 2024. “With sports betting, we said 'let's go from the four walls of the casino to the four borders of Arkansas.'”
The casino operator has proposed using some of the money generated from iGaming for Name, Image, and Likeness funds that go to Arkansas universities’ athletes.
Making it law
Bringing online slots and table games like blackjack and roulette to Arkansas will take much more than convincing regulators.
To alter the gambling laws in the Natural State, a majority of the legislature must approve an amendment to the Arkansas Constitution on a public ballot. The state’s voters would then decide to adopt or reject the change. If adopted, the amendment would become law.
This process could take multiple years in Arkansas.
Roadblocks
Getting iGaming legalized in the U.S. hasn’t been as prolific as sports betting, which currently operates in 38 states. There are seven legalized iGaming jurisdictions in the U.S. New Jersey, Michigan, and Pennsylvania are the largest markets to offer online casinos.
Maryland, New York, and Illinois have had iGaming bills filed this year, but none are locks to change their gambling laws.
One of the major roadblocks to getting iGaming passed is land-based casinos opposing such measures to keep other operators from taking away in-person gambling revenue.
Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in Hot Springs has already stated it's against Saracen’s online gaming proposal.
