Retail sports betting has been available in the state since 2019 and the Commission met on Thursday of this week with a view to making a final decision on the contentious topic of mobile sports betting.
Discussions were expected to delay the decision as several major national bookmakers voiced their dissatisfaction with a deal that required land-based casino operators be given a 51% share of all profits. Representatives of those bookmakers, including FanDuel Director of Government Affairs Andrew Winchell, argued that Arkansas should adopt a similar approach to other states, allowing for multiple skins for each operator and a lower profits share of around 15% for land-based casino partners.
However, the arguments against the expansion were unsuccessful and a vote passed without any official discussion.
As a result, the new rules will allow Arkansas’ three casinos to each partner with two mobile sports betting operators. A fourth casino which is currently under development will also be allowed to do the same once opened.
Online operators had originally wanted to launch a minimum of four online skins each while casinos wanted only one. The granting of two skins is likely a result of a compromise between local casinos and online sportsbook operators in Arkansas.
While the Commission has approved the rules, the matter still must go before a legislative subcommittee in early January before they can be officially adopted and signed into law. Despite fears over lengthy discussions delaying a potential launch, Commission spokesperson Scott Hardin told local TV that mobile sports betting could go live in early 2022.
An experienced iGaming commentator and analyst based in New York City - Jenny reports on regulation and gambling industry news and events.