Arkansas Online Sports Betting Market Poised for Big Growth With DraftKings and FanDuel
Posted on: February 26, 2026, 05:25h.
Last updated on: February 26, 2026, 05:25h.
- FanDuel and DraftKings have been approved in Arkansas
- The sportsbooks expect to launch in time for March Madness
- Arkansas’ sports betting market has seemingly endless untapped potential
Sports betting market leaders DraftKings and FanDuel are coming to Arkansas.
On Thursday, the Arkansas Racing Commission (ARC) approved the sports betting applications of DraftKings and FanDuel. Roughly four years after the sportsbook giants told state gaming regulators that a rule requiring at least 51% of sports betting revenue remain with the host casino rendered the market unattractive, the two rivals simultaneously applied for wagering concessions.
DraftKings gained entry through a partnership with the Southland Casino Hotel in West Memphis, while FanDuel partnered with Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in Hot Springs. The two racinos were approved to become full-fledged casinos with slot machines, live dealer table games, and retail/mobile sports betting through a statewide ballot referendum in 2018.
DraftKings and FanDuel hope to be up and running in time for March Madness.
“We’re excited to team up with Southland Casino Hotel to bring DraftKings’ top-rated mobile sportsbook to Arkansas and introduce fans to our best-in-class sports betting offering,” said Gregory Karamitis, DraftKings’ executive vice president and general manager.
“We are grateful to the Arkansas Racing Commission for approving us as a vendor and look forward to the next steps,” a FanDuel release read.
Why Now?
FanDuel and DraftKings have spent much more time of late focused on their prediction markets than on their sportsbook lobbying. The companies’ decisions to bet on Arkansas have raised questions.
It was only in January 2022 that both parties told ARC that the 51% mandate would keep the market leaders away. Representatives testified that their absence would lead to reduced state tax revenue and consumer choice, and solely benefit offshore bookies.
This requirement makes it financially unfeasible for top national online sports wagering operators to partner with casinos in Arkansas,” a FanDuel rep said at the time.
“The requirement will result in a significantly harmed player experience and poor conversion of players away from the existing illegal offshore market,” added a DraftKings lobbyist.
ARC ultimately kept the rule, leading to Arkansas’ sports betting market remaining relatively limited compared with similarly sized states. That could soon change with FanDuel and DraftKings’ arrival.
Room to Grow
Casino reps with Southland and Oaklawn think bringing in DraftKings and FanDuel will greatly increase play and associated revenues. There’s seemingly plenty of room to grow.
With a little more than 3.1 million people, Arkansas is the 34th most populous state. Kansas, a similarly sized state home to about three million people, also has online sports betting, including DraftKings and FanDuel.
Arkansas oddsmakers at Southland’s Betly Sportsbook, Oaklawn Sports, and Saracen Casino’s BetSaracen generated gross revenue of just $59.7 million last year. Sports betting revenue in Kansas last year totaled more than $292.2 million. Kansas additionally has Caesars Sportsbook, Fanatics Sportsbook, and bet365 operating.
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