Arkansas Betting: FanDuel and DraftKings launch in state

On March 20, 2026, FanDuel and DraftKings began accepting wagers in Arkansas.

The launch follows a unanimous decision by the Arkansas Racing Commission on February 26, 2026. The commission approved vendor licenses for both companies, allowing them to operate in the state's regulated market.

FanDuel operates under a partnership with Oaklawn Casino. The app replaces the previous Oaklawn Sports application. That earlier platform will no longer function independently. Instead, the FanDuel service will be branded as powered by Oaklawn Sports. This transition consolidates the casino's digital betting operations under the national brand.

DraftKings partners with Southland Casino Hotel for its operations in Arkansas. This arrangement utilizes a license previously held by the Betly app. Southland Casino Hotel is one of three commercial casinos in the state authorized to run sportsbook applications. The other two are Oaklawn Casino and Saracen Casino Resort.

Saracen Casino Resort did not join a partnership with a national sportsbook. It continues to operate its own BETSaracen app. This leaves the state with three distinct online betting platforms available to residents and visitors physically located within state lines.

The approval of these new vendors follows a specific revenue structure established in 2021. Under House Bill 1942 and subsequent rulings, third-party operators must share 51% of their revenue with their in-state casino partners. The operators retain the remaining 49%. This split has remained unchanged by the recent licensing of FanDuel and DraftKings. It ensures that the state's commercial casinos receive the majority of digital betting income.

Arkansas has legal sports betting since 2019. Online wagering launched in 2022 with smaller, local or niche applications. The total handle for Arkansas sportsbooks surpassed $1 billion on September 24, 2024. The state collects a 13% tax on the first $150 million in gaming revenue and a 20% tax on any revenue exceeding that amount.

Between January and October 2025, the state collected $7.229 million in tax revenue from sports betting. According to the National Conference of State Legislators, 55% of this tax goes to the state general fund. Another 27.5% goes to the city and county where the casino is located. The remaining 17.5% is deposited into the commission's Purse and Awards Fund.

New users of the FanDuel app can claim up to $350 in bonus bets by placing $5 in wagers over seven days. DraftKings offers $200 in bonus bets and three months of NBA League Pass for a $5 bet. Both apps are available on Apple and Android devices.

Bettors must be at least 21 years old to place wagers in Arkansas. There is no requirement for Arkansas residency, but users must be physically located within the state to use the legal sportsbooks.