Arkansas Bill on Online Gaming Withdrawn, Suggested for Temporary Examination
In the ongoing debate about online casino gaming in Arkansas, no substantive efforts to legalize the practice are currently underway in the legislature, according to available reports. The bill to legalize online casino gaming statewide, House Bill 1861, was withdrawn by its author, Rep. Matt Duffield, on Monday, April 7.
The withdrawal of the bill comes amidst opposition from Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Attorney General Tim Griffin, although no clear statements from these officials regarding their positions on online casino legalization have been made public. Senator Bart Hester's views on the matter are also unknown at this time.
The withdrawal of the bill does not affect the legality of sports betting in Arkansas, which is already legal either online or in-person at one of the state's three casinos: Saracen, Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in Hot Springs, and Southland Casino Hotel in West Memphis. Each of these casinos has its own branded sports betting app available to users. Oaklawn also has an app for bettors wanting to wager on horse races.
The three casinos, including Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Bluff, have been actively pushing for the legalization of online casino gaming, known as iGaming. Carlton Saffa, chief market officer at Saracen Casino Resort, has been vocal about his support for iGaming while also advocating for the banning of unregulated online sweepstakes casinos.
Nationwide, online gambling legalizations are encountering both growing support and strong opposition, making 2025 "a wash" with little new legalization finalized and many efforts stymied by opponents such as the National Association Against iGaming (NAAiG). Several state legislatures continue to debate bills, but Arkansas is not among the actively considering or advancing online casino legalization states, including Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, New York, and New Hampshire.
Larry Henry, a veteran print and broadcast reporter and editor with experience in states with gaming, such as Tennessee and Louisiana, has not commented on the Arkansas situation. Rep. Carol Dalby, chair of the House Judiciary Committee, mentioned that the sponsor can decide when to present the bill in the interim study timeframe.
As of mid-2025, regulated, taxed iGaming is legal in seven states but not in Arkansas or any state bordering Arkansas. Unregulated online gaming is rampant across the U.S. and Arkansas, with most being offshore and many directly linked to China. Regulated iGaming allows bettors to use a cellphone or computer to play traditional casino games such as craps and slots for real money.
If the views or Arkansas legislative activities change, more recent local news or official state communications would be essential to consult.
- Amidst the ongoing debate about online casino gaming in Arkansas, the legislation for statewide iGaming, House Bill 1861, has been withdrawn by its author, Rep. Matt Duffield.
- The withdrawal of the bill does not impact the legality of sports betting in Arkansas, which is currently legal and available for online or in-person wagers at the state's three casinos: Saracen, Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in Hot Springs, and Southland Casino Hotel in West Memphis.
- Carlton Saffa, chief market officer at Saracen Casino Resort, supports the legalization of online casino gaming (iGaming) while promoting the banning of unregulated online sweepstakes casinos.
- Although Arkansas is not actively considering or advancing online casino legalization, several other states, including Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, New York, and New Hampshire, have bills in debate concerning iGaming.
