Arkansas Online Gambling in 2024

Arkansas internet users looking to bet on sports, play casino table games, slots or poker and take a chance on winning real money are in luck. There are plenty of ways to play cash games online from your computer, tablet or phone.

The Arkansas state legislature has made some of those activities legal in the state, and there are state-licensed racebook sites where you can bet on a variety of races. As of last year, you can also go to an online sportsbook licensed by Arkansas and bet on games or matches. However, online casino gambling is not yet available from local operators. 

To get all of your gambling options in one convenient place, you should go to the top Arkansas online betting sites located offshore, which are outside the jurisdiction of Arkansas state law and can offer online casinos, online sports betting, poker, slots and more.

The Top Online Gambling Sites in Arkansas

It’s no problem finding offshore gambling sites. There are hundreds of them that offer all types of gambling. Finding one that you can trust with your financial information and that will treat your fairly—paying out your winnings in full and on time, for instance—can be a little more difficult. How can you tell which ones are dependable and will give you an entertaining betting experience? That’s where we come in. Our panel of experts took on that task, evaluating dozens of gambling sites. They came up with the following rankings of the best online gambling sites for Arkansas residents.

1. Bookmaker.eu – The top overall online gambling site in Arkansas
2. Bovada – Bigger variety of betting options than anyone else
3. BetOnline – One of the best online sportsbooks for opinionated lines
4. Heritage Sports – The best live betting site in Arkansas
5. BetAnySports – The most generous reduced juice in Arkansas
6. BetUS – Pays the highest bonuses in the state
7. JustBet – Welcomes all bettors, big and small
8. WagerWeb – Same-day payout for users of Bitcoin
9. Everygame – Has a large menu of sports from around the globe
10. SportsBetting.ag – High limits and generous bonuses

Is online gambling legal in Arkansas?

Arkansas has made it easier to bet in the state in recent years, with the loosening of gambling laws. Residents and visitors to the state can now play games of chance at one of the three casinos operating in the state, with a fourth still in the works. The state has also provided online options for gamblers, who can use sports betting sites and online racebooks that are licensed by Arkansas. 

However, if Arkansas residents want to play online casino games, slot machines or live poker, their options are more limited. None of the state-sanctioned sites can provide that. The only online options are offshore sites located outside of the United States. These overseas sites are not under the jurisdiction of any U.S. online gambling laws, so they can offer race betting, sports betting, games of skill and chance and more, all in one convenient place.

Comparison of the Best Online Gambling Sites

Our panel of experts on gambling looked at several different aspects of each of the real money gambling sites they evaluated. Each one has different strengths and weaknesses, and each gambler has different needs and preferences. So, to help you find the site that best matches what you like, our panel put together more detailed looks at these overseas sites, complete with pros and cons lists.

1. BookMaker: The Top Overall Gambling Site in Arkansas

Bookmaker.eu emerged at the top of our experts’ analysis and took the honor of the top overall gambling site available to Arkansas bettors. One of its strengths is the ability to cater to all gamblers, regardless of how experienced they are or how much they are willing to bet.

BookMaker is home to the highest betting limits in the state, but they aren’t only looking to serve the high rollers. They also offer some of the lowest minimum bets, going as low as $1. That means that everyone will be able to bet an amount they’re comfortable with. Their loyalty program, which is also one of the best in the state, automatically enrolls all customers, and it’s structured to make it easy for everyone to earn rewards, regardless of the size of their bankroll. 

They’re best known for their world-class online sportsbook, but BookMaker also has a large casino with online slots and table games. There’s a free casino so newcomers can practice before they start betting real money, and welcome bonuses to help you make the most of your initial deposit. 

2. Bovada: Bigger Variety of Betting Options Than Anyone Else

Bovada is one of the most popular online casinos you’ll find, which should be no surprise. Gamblers, like most people, love to have options, and no one offers more different ways to bet than Bovada. 

Bovada offers a full casino experience with a wide range of ways to gamble, from placing online sports bets at one of the top sportsbooks in Arkansas to a huge menu of online casino games and slots. They also have a racebook and the busiest poker room in the United States.  

Each of those sections also offers a dazzling array of choices. Sports fans can choose from the largest menu of prop betting options around. The casino has a deep library of games and variations, from blackjack table games to online poker.  

There is also a mobile site that our expert panel voted the best one for gambling on phones and tablets in Arkansas. Along with convenience, Bovada promo codes sweeten the deal even more because new players can receive up to $3,000 in bonus funds.

3. BetOnline: One of the Only Sources for Opinionated Lines

BetOnline finished near the top of our rankings. It impressed our experts with its timely payouts. When you win money at many online gambling sites, it can be surprisingly difficult to withdraw your money. There may be surprise fees, delays or last-minute hurdles preventing you from getting all the money you earned, or even the money you deposited in the first place. That’s not the case at BetOnline, which has a smooth, pain-free process for getting your money out. It’s fast, easy and they pay out in full.

BetOnline is also one of the few online sports betting sites that offer opinionated lines. That means sports bettors are given different lines for their wagers than at other sportsbooks, and variety means a potential area to profit. You can also profit from the generous BetOnline promo codes available, like a 50% deposit match.

The site also has a busy online poker room with better liquidity than most poker sites available. And they offer a large online casino gaming area with hundreds of variations of slots and table games. 

4. Heritage Sports: The Best Live Betting Site in AR

Heritage Sports is a great all-around gambling site, but it was particularly strong in two areas. Our experts were impressed with Heritage Sports’ red carpet treatment of all customers and its live betting section, judging both to be the best of all online gambling websites available in Arkansas. 

Live betting is an area that has exploded in popularity in recent years. Sports fans enjoy being able to place bets on games while the action is going on, instead of just betting before the start and waiting until the end to see if they win. Now, they can bet on the play of their favorite teams and players during the game. Heritage Sports was one of the first sites to embrace this practice, and their live betting interface is still an industry leader. 

Heritage Sports also prides itself on pampering its customers. This dates back to the start of the website when you needed to be invited in order to gamble there. It was reserved for high rollers, celebs and other elites—people who needed and expected to be treated like VIPs. Now, Heritage Sports is available to everyone, but they still treat everyone like they’re a celebrity with top-notch customer service and an impressive array of promotions, perks and rewards.

5. BetAnySports: The Most Generous Reduced Juice in AR

BetAnySports is the equivalent of a no-frills airline. It may not provide all the same bells and whistles as other sites— promotions are not as large, and the user interface is bare bones and sparse— but that helps it to pass savings on to the customers, providing the best value to Arkansas gamblers of any online betting site. 

The sportsbook at BetAnySports has the most generous reduced juice lines of any sports betting site. The industry standard is to set odds on either side of a 50/50 bet at -110, meaning you have to risk $110 to win $100. That extra $10 you risk is the house edge, which helps guarantee the book a profit over the long run. BetAnySports sets its odds at -105 instead, meaning you only risk $105 to win $100, cutting the house edge in half and giving you the equivalent of a 50% discount. It may not seem like much, but over time, it adds up to a difference in your bankroll. 

BetAnySports has favorable odds throughout the site, and it has a large number of different online casinos offering table games and slots, plus multiple live dealer casinos and two live betting areas. 

6. BetUS: Pays the Highest Bonuses in the State

BetUS impressed our expert panel with the most generous welcome bonuses available to Arkansas online bettors. Their initial deposit match bonus is over 100%, meaning they put more money into your account than you do to get it started. Before you’ve bet on your first game, spun your first wheel or dealt out your first hand of cards, you’ve already doubled your money. 

Users of crypto get an even higher match. Up to 250% of your first deposit, meaning you’ve more than tripled your money to get things started. 

BetUS also wins the most-improved award, with a site overhaul that has given it a slick, attractive interface that is also fast and efficient. They also produce video features and weekly podcasts featuring former athletes and special guests offering analysis of upcoming events. 

7. JustBet: Welcomes All Bettors, Big and Small

JustBet will remind you of our top-rated online betting site, Bookmaker.eu. They are sister sites and have very similar gambling experiences. Both of them also cater to all types of bettors, from big-spending, risk-taking high rollers to cautious newcomers who need help navigating their first trip into online betting. For the seasoned pros, JustBet has high limits, posts lines and odds earlier than everyone else and has a fast, responsive interface allowing them to place bets quickly. That makes JustBet an ideal site for live betting, where speed and a responsive interface are critical to betting on games in progress. 

It also has low minimum bets and a user-friendly interface that helps rookies easily find their way around. They also have a demo casino to let players come up to speed without risking money, along with several bonuses for new players. 

The flipside of JustBet’s speed and efficiency is that they eliminated some options to clear the way and make the menus less crowded. Their sportsbook doesn’t offer as many gambling markets or props on individual games, and the casino has a thinner library of titles, although in both cases, all the essentials are there. 

8. WagerWeb: Same-Day Payout for Users of Bitcoin

WagerWeb combines the best of the old and the new. The old is WagerWeb itself. The site was started in the mid-1990s and is one of the longest-running online gambling sites out there. You don’t last that long unless people trust you enough to send their money overseas. WagerWeb has a long, unblemished resume of treating customers fairly, protecting their information and paying out on time and in full. 

The new is all the changes in online gambling that WagerWeb has kept pace with, including embracing cryptocurrency. They offer perks to customers who use crytpo, including same-day payouts for Bitcoin users. WagerWeb also has a variety of promos, and they are especially generous for crypto players.

9. Everygame: Has a Large Menu of Sports From Around the World

Everygame is another one of the founding fathers when it comes to online gambling. The site was born in the 1990s, in the early days of the web itself, not to mention the earliest days of internet betting. They aren’t stuck in the past, though. They’ve rebranded and upgraded and now boast one of the most polished, slickest betting experiences you’ll find, thanks to brand-new cutting-edge software.  

They also offer the most flexible array of welcome bonus offers in Arkansas. One Everygame promo code boasts a 200% match on your initial deposit in the poker room. So you’ve tripled your money before you even take a seat at a table. The bonus also includes 25 free casino spins.

Everygame is best known for its sportsbook, which is the source of the site’s name. They offer a worldwide selection of teams and sporting events, including obscure leagues and tournaments from overseas. If they’re playing it, Everygame will have it, even if other sites don’t. 

10. SportsBetting.ag: High Limits and Generous Bonuses

SportsBetting.ag is a sister site of BetOnline, which was an A+ graded top-five site in our rankings. BetOnline may have a slicker-looking user interface, but don’t let SportsBetting’s looks fool you. Just because they didn’t upgrade their graphics doesn’t mean they’re outdated or clunky. 

SportsBetting prides itself on speed and performance, as you’ll find when you try placing bets. In our tests, our panel of experts was able to place bets using a mobile phone in under 10 seconds. The site has well-organized menus and is uncluttered, making it easy to find what you need. 

The site also has an impressive set of welcome bonuses and ongoing promotions, with additional perks for crypto users. Their betting limits are also extremely high, going up to $50,000 on NFL games, $30,000 on NBA and $10,000 on MLB. 

Our Rating Methodology

Our experts looked at a number of different important factors when reviewing online options for gambling in Arkansas. They looked for diversity when it came to the forms of gambling offered. Customers should be able to have all their gambling needs met in one place, including sports betting, horse racing, casino games and poker. We also looked at the promotions and bonuses each of the offshore sites offered, the quality of their customer service and the variety of banking options they provided. The experts tested how easy it was to place bets, both on the full site and with a variety of mobile devices. They also looked at what other customers thought in online reviews.

Arkansas’ Gambling History

Gambling laws in Arkansas are now fairly liberal, but it’s been a long and winding road to get there. The legislature initially banned all forms of gambling in its state constitution in 1874, referring to it as “lotteries”. Almost from day one, people took the word lottery literally and used that as an excuse for starting other forms of betting. By the 1890s, horse racing and playing the ponies were popular, and the state’s first casino property opened in 1905. 

Arkansas’ government responded by making horse racing illegal, which remained until a law was passed allowing betting on horse and dog racing in 1935. The state next cracked down on casinos, and they were all closed by 1970. 

Since the turn of the century, things have gone in the opposite direction. First, the state allowed racetracks to install gambling machines, making them racinos. Next, Arkansas lottery games were legalized in 2009. Then the state passed a law in 2018 allowing four land-based casinos to open. The law also allowed the casinos to be sports betting locations, and Arkansas residents were able to place their first legal sports bets in person. 

In 2021, the state went one step further, allowing legal sports betting online, in addition to retail sportsbooks. Less than a year into legalized online sports betting, monthly revenue from the practice regularly tops $30 million. 

Timeline of Gambling in AR

Let’s explore the history of gambling in Arkansas and understand the state’s journey to making sports betting legal. 

• 2022: The first legitimate sports wagers are made online at state-approved sportsbooks.
• 2021: To make online gambling legal, Lee Johnson submitted a bill. After discussion and legal action, it was decided to exclude online poker and casino games in favor of just online sports betting. Asa Hutchinson, the governor, eventually signed the sports betting legislation into law. 
• 2019: The first legitimate bets are accepted at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort, marking the beginning of retail sports betting at commercial casinos in the state.
• 2018: Amendment 100 is approved by voters, authorizing full casino and sports betting in Arkansas. Four casinos have been given the go-ahead to start taking in-person bets. 
• 2017: The state has legalized daily fantasy sports. 
• 2008: The state lottery has begun. 
• 2005: The Local Option Horse Racing and Greyhound Racing Electronic Games of Skill Act is passed, reintroducing “racinos” to the state by permitting racetracks to sell electronic gambling machines. 
• 1967: The final casinos and racinos, in Hot Springs, shut down as a result of a statewide crackdown on gaming. 
• 1935: The state of Arkansas allows wagering on horse and dog races. 
• 1907: A law prohibiting horse racing is enacted.
• 1905: At Oaklawn Park, the first casino in the state, opens. 
• 1874: The state constitution of Arkansas forbids “lotteries” and other forms of gambling.  

What the Best Online Gambling Sites Should Offer

Every online betting site has different strengths and specialties, but there are some things that gamblers should be able to count on when visiting offshore betting sites. After looking at a wide range of offshore sites, from the ones that made our top 10 to ones that didn’t measure up, our experts have identified the factors that are “must haves” for top gambling sites. 

Competitive Gambling Odds

Betting odds for online betting should be competitive and in line with the odds a similar bet would get at an in-person casino. The odds should be a reflection of the expected probability of the bet winning, and gamblers should have a fair chance to win money. 

Wide Variety of Betting Markets

The top sites should offer a good selection of different forms of gambling, from sports betting markets to racebooks to online casino games and slots to live poker rooms. Each of those different sections should also have a variety of different styles of play and bet limits. 

Multiple Banking Options

There should be a selection of different ways to move money to and from a top betting site. They should offer traditional banking methods like debit card transactions, major credit cards and bank wire transfers. More modern forms of online banking should also be available, like e-wallets and cryptocurrency.

Generous Promos & Bonuses

Sites should reward customers for signing up and for sticking with them. A deposit bonus should be available when a customer first opens an account, with the site matching a percentage of initial deposits. These deposit matches should not have excessive rollover or play-through requirements attached. Sites should also offer a loyalty program, cashback rebate or other forms of reward for loyal customers. 

Live Gambling Options

Live betting is an activity that is rapidly growing in popularity. Gamblers want to be able to bet on events in real-time, such as games in progress. A good selection of events and betting options should be available in live betting, with fast, responsive slips allowing bets to be placed quickly. 

High-Quality of the User Experience

The gambling experience should be entertaining and pleasant for gamblers, whether it’s placing online sports bets, playing online slots or live dealer poker. The site should be easy to navigate and attractive. Menus should make sense, and pages should load quickly. 

Mobile Site Navigability

Mobile sports wagering has become more popular than using a computer to place bets. So gambling sites should take care in developing their mobile sportsbooks. The user interface should have all the functionality on a mobile device that it does on a computer, and it should be as easily readable and attractive. Mobile betting pages should load quickly with no glitches or crashes. Many sites offer sportsbook apps or fully optimized mobile sports betting sites.  

A Variety of Customer Service Contact Options

There should be a number of ways to get help from the top gambling sites. Customer service should be available 24/7 in multiple languages by a variety of methods, including phone, email and live chat. 

Strong Security Features

Real money gambling sites require you to send your financial information overseas. As a result, security should be a top priority. Our experts immediately eliminated any sites that didn’t have a pristine safety record when putting together their rankings. 

Arkansas Gambling Options

Online betting is a blanket term that covers many options that are very different from one another. Gamblers can bet on sports or horse races, as well as play table games, slot machines, live poker with a dealer or lottery-style games. 

Sports Betting

Online and in-person sports betting are both legal in Arkansas. In addition to that, offshore sportsbooks are available, which allow sports betting as well as the full range of other gambling options. Sports bettors can bet on the major professional sports in the U.S. and Europe as well as minor league and lesser-known sports and teams, college sports and more. Sports wagers can also be made on individual sports such as boxing, MMA, golf, tennis and even biathlon.

Casino Gambling

Casino gambling is legal in Arkansas at brick-and-mortar casinos. There are currently three casino locations in the state. However, the state has not passed laws allowing online casino sites or licensing any providers. The only way to play online table games, video poker, video slots or live dealer versions of games that are simulations of retail casinos is at one of the offshore gambling sites like those in our top 10.

Horse Race Betting

Betting on horses is legal at horse racing tracks, OTB parlors and online in Arkansas. Offshore gambling sites also offer this service, in addition to all the other gambling methods. At online horse betting sites, bettors can wager on events at an Arkansas race track or races around the world, including the Kentucky Derby, Breeders Cup and more.

Arkansas State Lottery & Lottery-Style Gambling

Arkansas was one of the last states to legalize a state lottery, in 2009. Now, many retail locations will sell you a lottery ticket—either an instant money scratch-off or a multi-state drawing. There are also online lottery games like keno and bingo available at offshore sites.

Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS)

Daily Fantasy Sports were legalized before sports betting because DFS is considered a game of skill, not chance. Now that sports betting has also been legalized, some sportsbooks may offer both options. 

Niche Betting Options

There are plenty of other betting options available, both in-person and online. Simulated horse racing games allow you to bet on computer-generated horse races, where the results are determined by random number generators. Many sportsbooks also have other novelty sections allowing you to bet on the next pope, city mayor races, entertainment award shows, reality show results, the daily stock market price and more. 

How to Create an Online Gambling Account

The process of creating an account and getting started at online gambling sites is fast and easy. It takes a few minutes. 

Step 1. Sign-Up

First, choose an online gambling site from the ones our experts recommended. Go to the site and click on the button to create a new account. 

Step 2. Verify Your Details

Fill out the registration form with your information. Verify your identity, usually by responding with a code texted to your phone. 

Step 3. Deposit Your Funds

Choose a deposit method from the cashier page on the website. Enter your information, deposit amount and the promo code for the welcome bonus you want to collect.

Step 4. Enjoy Online Gambling

That’s all there is to it. You’re ready to play for real money online. Good luck.

FAQs – Gambling Online in Arkansas