Akansas currently allows punters to be able to enjoy sports betting and other casino gambling activities, however the state’s population is only allowed to be able to do this in a physical capacity at the moment.

Indeed, the gambling community within the “Land of Opportunity” state would suggest that this particular label is not quite being met at the moment, as they are unable to participate in legal online gambllng within its borders.

This article will take a look at what is currently missing in Arkansas at the moment in order to have online casinos and sportsbook platforms to be fully legal, whilst also suggesting the benefits that it could bring to the “Land of Opportunity” if and/or when they decide to implement regulations that permit the activity in the future.

What is the current situation within Arkansas?

As we know, residents located in Arkansas are only able to participate in wagering activities via the means of retail betting. Currently, the laws – which have ultimately undergone a number of changes in recent years – that are adopted by the state only permit players to be able to place a wager on sports or casino games on-site at one of the couple of physical casinos that currently exist within its borders.

This has been a major change to previous regulations that were in place, as bettors were only limited to wagering on horse racing and playing the lottery, however for some in Arkansas, there has not been a big enough change in recent memory.

However, this does not mean that there may be changes to the laws in the coming months or years, as the state has clearly shown that it is willing to be the “Land of Opportunity” for those who reside or visit the region.

Following the 2018 Supreme Court ruling that altered the face of gambling within the United States forever, Arkansas was one of the first to permit sports betting in the country. However, as mentioned, this remains limited to physical establishments including racinos that can be found.

Will there be a change in the future?

Of course, with Arkansas having shown that they are willing to make amendments and update the laws that they have, it perhaps suggests that there could be a positive shift towards the gambling industry, although when online activities will be permitted is a question that may remain unanswered for some time.

At present, it would be extremely difficult to suggest when the region will look to allow residents in Arkansas to place wagers using online casino and sportsbook platforms, although it certainly appears as though it could be rather imminent.

There was a major breakthrough for organizations and residents in Arkansas that want to see mobile gambling be approved, with legislation for the activity having been approved on February 22, 2022.

Indeed, it would seem that announcement has gotten many of the biggest firms excited and perhaps working in anticipation of a new market becoming legal. Caesars sportsbook is preparing to be licensed in Arkansas amid the breakthrough, with that it could only be a matter of time before it is a reality.

Of course, if mobile sports betting and online casinos do go fully live in Arkansas in the near future, then you can guarantee that there will be a number of big and established operators looking to enter the market, which could be an exceptional thing for the “Land of Opportunity” state. 

What benefits would Arkansas gain from legalizing online wagering?

There are a host of extraordinary benefits that can be obtained should Arkansas look to fully legalize online betting and gambling within its state’s borders.

Naturally, the biggest advantage that will be experienced is in regard to economics, however there are social benefits that can also be enjoyed should a decision to implement live online gambling have the same impact that it has already enjoyed all over the country.

Economic benefits

To begin with, it is perhaps easier to begin with the economy and how online gambling could have a significant impact on the entirety of the state of Arkansas, as well as the country as a whole.

The state would be able to generate a new revenue stream into its coffers via taxation of the gambling industry. This money can then be used to try and help the “Land of Opportunity” to really live up to the tag 

that it has been provided and create a number of new opportunities for its population.

Infrastructure across the state can be improved, as well as a number of public services, whilst other significant community aspects could also be further enhanced. For instance, an improvement in the internet technology offered across the region could be improved further, which could then help the state to generate even more revenue in the future, whether that be because players are able to enjoy better online gaming services or simply be able to enjoy a greater level of accessibility to shopping online.

Social benefits

As mentioned, it is not only the economy that will benefit, however there are a number of social advantages that could potentially be experienced should fully legal online casinos and sportsbook platforms be permitted.

With it being a new market for operators, a range of jobs could potentially be created for those in Arkansas, which could then ultimately reduce the unemployment rate, whilst also providing residents with more money that they can then spend and put back into the state’s and country’s economy.

Additionally, tourism numbers could potentially increase if legal online casinos and sports betting were permitted, as residents from other states may decide to travel to the “Land of Opportunity” and take advantage of the opportunities that they are provided, especially if the state that they live in does not allow them to do so!

Final Thoughts

At this moment, it would seem that there is every chance that legal online casino and sportsbook platforms could come to Arkansas in the near future, although it would be very hard to predict when. Nonetheless, should they arrive, the “Land of Opportunity” state could certainly benefit in an immense number of ways!