Mobile Wagering Could Start March 4 in Arkansas

Mobile sports betting in Arkansas could begin as early as next week.

Carlton Saffa, chief market officer at Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Bluff, said the casino’s mobile app might be ready to use a week from Friday.

The launch date is partly determined by a government process that must first run its course.

The process began Feb. 22, when the legislative Joint Budget Committee gave final approval to an Arkansas Racing Commission rule allowing mobile sports betting in the state.

From there, the rule is required to be filed for 10 days in the secretary of state’s office. The elected secretary of state cannot stop or delay the rule.

Saffa said the BetSaracen app can’t be launched until after the 10-day filing period.

“So that means March 4 is the earliest possible date, legally,” he told Gambling.com.

Saffa said Saracen is ready to launch its app but is ensuring payment processing and other elements are in compliance.

“Our timeline is dependent on these external factors, but we are proceeding with a sense of urgency,” Saffa said.

Launch Probable No Later Than March Madness

Saffa said if BetSaracen isn’t able to launch March 4, it will “definitely be live for March Madness.”

The annual NCAA men’s basketball tournament, known as March Madness, is traditionally a heavily wagered event.

This year’s tournament begins March 15 at sites around the country. The Final Four round is scheduled to be played April 2-4 at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.

Arkansas’ casinos had hoped the apps would be up and running in time for the Southeastern Conference men’s basketball tournament, set to be played in Tampa from March 9-13.

The No. 18 Arkansas Razorbacks are expected to attract widespread betting interest in the state during the tournaments. Known to supporters as the Hogs, the SEC West Razorbacks enjoy a statewide fan base.

Southland Looking to Launch Betly Sportsbook Soon

In addition to Saracen, Arkansas is home to two other casinos, Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in Hot Springs and Southland Casino Racing in West Memphis.

Southland’s marketing manager, Natalie Carlson, told Gambling.com the resort is looking forward to offering its Betly Sportsbook app “in the coming weeks.”

“Many patrons are already using the Betly Sportsbook kiosks at Southland,” she said. “The downloadable app will be a familiar extension of our sports betting experience and allow them to continue to play easily at home and elsewhere in the state.”

Oaklawn already operates the Oaklawn Anywhere horse-racing app but has not indicated when its mobile sports betting platform will be available.

In addition to a hotel-casino, Oaklawn is home to a historic horse track. The Arkansas Derby, held annually at Oaklawn, is an important prelude to the Triple Crown races, which begin the first weekend in May with the Kentucky Derby.