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The state of Arkansas does not currently regulate online casino games, and its sports betting sector has been limited up to this point.
The Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Bluff is seeking to offer online casino access to those located at the resort. Should iGaming ever become state-regulated, Saracen would most certainly enjoy a leg up.....or maybe not.
Right now, The Saracen Casino Resort has mostly squandered its near monopoly status on the mobile sports betting front. Its proprietary app is one of just three that serves the state's fervent sports betting community. Betley and Oaklawn Sports are the two others.
Those in Arkansas can currently access internationally-licensed real money online casinos (also known as "offshore") as well as a few dozen sweepstakes casinos.
FanDuel and DraftKings just partnered with Oaklawn Casino in Hot Springs and Southland Casino in West Memphis, respectively, effective the end of this month (March 2026). That will surely be a game changer. FanDuel is already live for the tail end of March Madness.
It's likely we will see the end of both the Oaklawn Sports and Betley (Southland Casino partnered) sports betting apps now that FanDuel and DraftKings have arrrived.
The BetSaracen does own approximately 54% to 57% of the sports gambling market share in Arkansas. In fact, BetSaracen alone handled more than Betly + Oaklawn combined.
Roughly $617.5 million was wagered on mobile apps in Arkansas in 2025. $339M – $352M went to BetSaracen.
Consider a state with a similar population to that of Arkansas. Iowa, as an example, took in $2.84B – $2.92B in total wagers during the past year. There are 14 licensed sports betting apps in Iowa.
Saracen is hopeful of staying competitive with the two newcomers by offering the online casino option, though it's unclear how much of the "on premise" mobile gambling would cannibalize the retail property.
Arkansas Racing Commission agenda spokesperson Scott Hardin told Gambling.com this week that the proposal “has not been determined if it will be an agenda item”.
A date for the next commission meeting has not been posted online, though it is expected to take place on or about April 16.
“Ultimately, Saracen is asking the commission to confirm the existing rules as they (Saracen) interpret them, which would allow them to move forward with implementation,” Hardin said.
The seven-member Racing Commission regulates all gambling matters in Arkansas, including gaming at Arkansas’ three licensed casinos, horse racing and sports betting.
The odds of BetSaracen being able to maintain its market share in the state with the arrival of FanDuel and DraftKings are likely low.
Reviews on Google Play are almost all one star, with the exception of those "under ten word" five star evaluations that look suspect at best (i.e. 'best app in Arkansas").
The poor reviews typically highlight app glitches.
"App glitches often. It will log you out while trying to bet. Sometimes, the odds aren't loaded when you log in (only blank squares). I have to constantly uninstall and download again. It's nice to have when it's loading the odds and working properly. When it's not working and loading as it should it's VERY IRRITATING!"
"ITS TERRIBLE. From constant lagging, the app randomly logging you out, it's near impossible to see if the promo your using actually works (it'll be on your screen one minute gone the next), and there's no way of seeing what you can use in your parlay until it hits your bet slip. It's just a garbage betting app that clearly was made using a random guy on fiver. Don't waste your time."
And the positive reviews aren't always that great either.
"Good betting app . Sometimes glitches and I still havent got the money I won . Had trouble with my first withdrawal but overall good experience and good customer service."
- Aaron Goldstein, Gambling911.com
