Arkansas Could See Mobile Sports Betting Market By Mid-March

• Arkansas could see a regulated mobile sports betting market by mid-March.
• If the proposed rule changes are approved, it could take up to 10 days to take effect.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Arkansas residents may be getting access to a regulated mobile sports betting market sooner than expected.

Arkansas Mobile Sports Betting Progresses

Following a Joint Budget Committee Administrative Rule Subcommittee meeting, rule changes previously proposed by the AR Racing Commission have now been reviewed and approved.

It’s not over yet, however, as the proposed changes must now be reviewed and receive final approval from the Joint Budget Committee tomorrow.

If these changes are approved, they could take effect 10 days following their approval. This could see Arkansas launch a mobile legal sports betting market as early as March.

Opposition To The Rule Change

While mobile wagering has been progressing well so far, not everyone is on board with the idea.

“You need to keep in mind every time we do something like this we’re driving a moral stake through the moral spirit of this state,” said Jim Wooten, an Arkansas state representative.

Arkansas already has a few regulated sportsbook for residents to take advantage of, but they are limited to casino grounds only. This means that bettors must on casino grounds in order to place their sports wagers.

If the new rule changes are approved, Arkansas sports betting fans will be able to utilize regulated sports betting apps from anywhere in Arkansas via their smartphones and mobile devices.

“There are arguments this rule might violate the Commerce Clause, or it might violate the dormant Commerce Clause or the kitchen sink or anything else that can be thrown at it” said Carlton Saffa, chief market officer for Saracen Casino in Pine Bluff. “With March Madness just around the corner, should we not proceed today, I’d imagine we’ll all get calls from people around the state asking what is taking us so long. The state will lose revenue from this extension of an already legal business and the casinos will lose, for us, what would be like Christmas shopping season for retail.”

News tags: AR Racing Commission | Carlton Saffa | Jim Wooten | Joint Budget Committee Administrative Rule Subcommittee