Arkansas lawmaker seeks amendment to state’s gambling laws

Arkansas lawmakers are weighing potential changes to the state's gambling regulations as State Sen. Bryan King (R-Green Forest) has introduced a joint resolution aimed at amending Amendment 100 of the Arkansas Constitution, which governs casino gaming.

While the resolution does not specify details on proposed changes, it comes at a time when at least one casino operator is advocating for the legalization of online casino gaming, or iGaming.

Currently, Arkansas permits four land-based casinos and has three licensed online sportsbooks. However, iGaming, which includes online slots, blackjack, and roulette, remains illegal.

Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Bluff has been vocal about its interest in expanding online gaming beyond sports betting. The casino has already begun developing a prospective iGaming app and is seeking discussions with the Arkansas Racing Commission to explore the possibility of legal online gambling.

“It would exactly mirror what we did with sports betting,” said Carlton Saffa, Saracen Casino’s chief marketing officer, in an interview with 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.’”

Saracen has also proposed allocating a portion of iGaming revenue to Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) funds for student-athletes at Arkansas universities.

Legalizing iGaming in Arkansas would require more than regulatory approval. Any change to the state's gambling laws necessitates a constitutional amendment, which must first receive majority approval in the legislature before being placed on a public ballot for voter decision. If approved, the amendment would then become law, a process that could take several years.

While sports betting has gained widespread legalization across 38 states, the expansion of iGaming in the U.S. has been much slower. Currently, only seven states permit online casino gaming, with New Jersey, Michigan, and Pennsylvania leading the market. This year, states including Maryland, New York, and Illinois have introduced iGaming legislation, though none have secured passage.

One of the key obstacles to iGaming legalization is opposition from land-based casino operators, who worry that online gambling could cannibalize in-person gaming revenue. Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in Hot Springs has already voiced its opposition to Saracen’s online gaming proposal, adding to the challenges iGaming faces in Arkansas.