Arkansas Approves DraftKings, FanDuel Sportsbooks

The Arkansas Racing Commission has approved DraftKings and FanDuel to operate sportsbooks in the state, clearing the way for both operators to launch ahead of the March Madness basketball tournament. The approvals mark a significant shift after both companies previously rejected Arkansas’s regulatory framework as financially unworkable.

What Happened

The Arkansas Racing Commission granted operational licenses to DraftKings and FanDuel, ending months of negotiations over the state’s revenue-sharing requirements. DraftKings will operate through a partnership with Southland Casino Hotel, while FanDuel secured a deal with Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort.

Both companies had initially balked at Arkansas’s 51% revenue retention mandate for host casinos—a requirement that would have left sportsbooks with only 49% of gross gaming revenue after casino cuts. The operators argued the economics didn’t work. Through continued discussions with the ARC, both parties reached terms that made the market viable.

The timing targets March Madness, one of the year’s biggest sports betting events. Launch windows typically occur within weeks of commission approval, though exact dates depend on final technical and compliance setup.

This approval represents the first major sportsbook expansion in Arkansas since sports betting launched in 2018. The state currently operates with limited retail and online options, creating pent-up demand that national operators see as opportunity.

Why It Matters For Players

For Arkansas bettors, this means real choice. Right now, the state’s sports betting market is thin. Adding DraftKings and FanDuel—two of the nation’s largest sportsbooks—brings competitive odds, deeper betting markets, and mobile apps that work across the state.

Both operators offer features Arkansas players currently lack: live in-game betting, prop bet variety, and promotional offers tied to major events. FanDuel and DraftKings compete aggressively on welcome bonuses and ongoing promotions, which typically benefits new customers entering the market.

The mobile component matters most. Both apps will allow betting from anywhere in Arkansas (within state lines), not just at casino properties. This removes friction for casual bettors who want convenience.

Responsibly, players should expect both operators to enforce strict account verification, betting limits, and self-exclusion tools. Both companies operate in 30+ states and maintain compliance infrastructure. Arkansas will benefit from that operational maturity.

Market Context And Trend Analysis

Arkansas’s sports betting market has underperformed relative to comparable states. Last year, the state generated $59.7 million in gross sports betting revenue. Kansas, a similar-sized market, produced $292.2 million—nearly five times higher.

The gap reflects limited operator presence and weak market penetration. Kansas has multiple sportsbooks competing across multiple venues. Arkansas’s restrictive licensing and revenue-sharing model kept national operators away until now.

DraftKings and FanDuel’s entry changes that calculus. Both operators bring sophisticated marketing, customer acquisition expertise, and brand recognition. Industry data shows markets grow 40-60% in the year following major operator launches.

The 51% revenue retention issue is instructive. Several states have experimented with high host venue cuts, but operators consistently push back. Nevada and New Jersey—mature markets—typically allow sportsbooks to retain 80-90% of revenue after taxes. Arkansas’s initial 51% was an outlier. The final deal likely involved compromise, though exact terms remain undisclosed.

This approval also signals Arkansas’s regulatory maturity. The ARC negotiated in good faith rather than standing rigid on unfeasible terms. That flexibility attracts operators and grows tax revenue—a win-win that other states watch closely.

The Crypto Casino and Gambling Angle

For crypto-native gambling platforms, Arkansas’s sportsbook expansion matters strategically. DraftKings and FanDuel operate exclusively with fiat currency and traditional payment rails. They don’t accept crypto deposits or payouts.

This creates a market gap. As traditional sportsbooks expand into regulated states, crypto casino platforms can differentiate by offering blockchain-based betting, stablecoin payouts, and pseudonymous accounts. Arkansas’s growing sports betting audience includes tech-forward bettors interested in alternatives to traditional operators.

The regulatory approval also sets precedent. If Arkansas successfully integrates two major sportsbooks without issues, the state becomes a model for other operators—including crypto-friendly platforms—to pitch their own licenses. Regulators gain confidence. Operators gain proof of concept.

For crypto casino readers, watch how DraftKings and FanDuel’s Arkansas operations perform. If they capture 30-40% market share within 12 months (industry standard for major launches), it validates Arkansas as a serious market. That validation makes it easier for next-generation gambling platforms—including those leveraging blockchain—to enter the state later.

Key Takeaways

• DraftKings and FanDuel received Arkansas Racing Commission approval to operate sportsbooks, ending a standoff over the state’s 51% revenue retention mandate.
• DraftKings partners with Southland Casino Hotel; FanDuel partners with Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort for their Arkansas launches.
• Both operators plan to launch ahead of March Madness, bringing mobile betting to Arkansas for the first time at scale.
• Arkansas’s current sports betting market ($59.7M annual revenue) lags comparable states like Kansas ($292.2M), suggesting significant growth potential.
• The approvals reflect regulatory flexibility and signal Arkansas as an increasingly attractive market for gaming operators.
• Crypto casino platforms can use this expansion as a reference point for their own Arkansas licensing pitches in future years.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bottom Line

Arkansas just became a serious sports betting market. The approval of DraftKings and FanDuel removes the state’s biggest operational obstacle and brings two of America’s largest sportsbooks to a market that’s been starved of competition. The timing—ahead of March Madness—is deliberate. Both operators know that major sporting events drive customer acquisition and engagement.

For bettors, this is straightforward good news. More operators mean better odds, deeper markets, and real mobile convenience. For Arkansas, it means tax revenue growth and a path toward market parity with neighboring states. The $59.7 million annual revenue figure will look quaint within 18 months.

The bigger story: regulatory pragmatism works. Arkansas could have held firm on unfeasible terms and remained a backwater market. Instead, it negotiated. That flexibility attracts capital, creates jobs, and generates tax revenue. Other states watching Arkansas should take note.