- Arkansas previously legalized sports betting in November of 2018 via voter referendum.
- The sportsbook at Oaklawn Racing and Casino Resort comes as part of a $100 million expansion to the property.
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Razorback fans can rejoice. Sports betting in Arkansas officially went live this week at the newly named Oaklawn Racing and Casino Resort. Arkansas becomes the ninth state in the country to launch the activity and Oaklawn becomes the first in the state to offer it.
Wayne Smith, General Manager of Oaklawn Racing and Casino Resort, was the first person to place a bet inside the sportsbook. He placed a $5 wager that the Dallas Cowboys would defeat the New York Giants in the NFL season opener on September 8, 2019.
“We’re excited to no be offering sports wagering,” said Smith. “It’s a new level of entertainment for our guests.”
The Race & Sportsbook is open seven days a week and offers betting types such as in-game wagering, proposition bets, parlays, and future wagering, to go along with more traditional betting lines.
Tellers will be available from 10 am to 10 pm, but self-service sports betting kiosks will be available from open to close and are located throughout the property.
What Lead Up To Arkansas Sports Betting?
The state originally legalized sports betting in November of 2018 via voter referendum. However, the Arkansas Racing Commission was tasked with establishing official rules and regulations for potential sportsbooks to follow.
The biggest rule that college sports fans will have to follow is that any bets made on in-state collegiate sports programs will have to be conducted inside the casino.
The decision came after several athletic directors from Arkansas colleges submitted a letter to the Commission in February. The letter asked to make several edits to the Commission’s rules in order to protect the integrity of their competitions.
Oaklawn will still offer odds on the Arkansas Razorbacks games as well as any other collegiate team in the country. Odds on professional sports are also offered for teams throughout the US as well as certain international teams.
Oaklawn Racing and Casino Resort is also currently undergoing construction for a $100 million expansion according to the Associated Press. The expansion includes 28,000 square feet of additional gaming space, an event center, and a hotel.
The Arkansas sportsbook is only located about an hour away from Little Rock, which makes it the perfect weekend getaway for sports fans in the capital area looking to capitalize on their favorite teams and games.
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News tags: Arkansas | Arkansas Razorbacks | Little Rock | Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort | Wayne Smith
– In his career, Hasan has worked both local and state government positions—including the Attorney General’s Office in Florida. On top of being familiar with the legislative process, he has also been researching and writing on the legality of sports betting across the US. Outside of work you’ll most likely find him producing or playing music, playing sports, or working on creative writing projects. You’ll also catch him at Doak Campbell Stadium cheering on the Noles.
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