Legislation that would allow mobile sports betting in Arkansas cleared its first hurdle Thursday morning when a legislative subcommittee voted to approve it.
That legislation will go to the full committee next week and if approved, mobile betting at Saracen Casino, Oaklawn and Southland could begin in early March in time for the NCAA basketball tournament.
The subcommittee met Wednesday but put the issue of hold until they could hear from the Attorney General’s Office who said Thursday it could defend the rule.
The key issue was a provision that would give Arkansas casino’s 51 percent of the net revenue. National sportsbooks like DraftKings and FanDuel had contested the terms, contending that profit sharing should be worked out with vendors and the casino’s and not the state.
