Legislation to outlaw out-of-state casinos from operating online in Arkansas was introduced in the Arkansas legislature Wednesday.
The bills in the Arkansas House of Representatives and Senate would require online gaming and sports betting to be operated only by the three casinos in the state, Oaklawn Racing and Casino, Saracen Casino Resort and Southland Casino Hotel.
All three currently offer online sports books statewide and Oaklawn also offers a mobile app to bet on horse racing.
Under the proposed legislation, the operation of untaxed, unregulated online sportsbooks and “sweepstakes casinos” would be a felony.
If adopted, the three Arkansas casinos would be able to offer online casino gambling, known as IGaming, permitting bettors to use a cellphone of computer to play traditional casino games like slots and craps and win real money.
Gambling.com reported that IGaming is currently illegal in the state but legal in eight other states and online casino gaming typically raises more tax revenue than sports betting in states where both are legal.
The legislation filed in both the state house and senate also has provisions for university Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) drawings if a school asks for one.
In order to become law, the legislation would have to pass both the house and senate before going to the Governor for her consideration. The current legislative session is scheduled to end April 11.
