Yet another state saw legislators look to legalize online gaming last week when lawmakers in Arkansas introduced companion bills in both chambers of the legislature.
HB1861 and SB524 are identical and could allow the state’s three licensed casinos to operate iGaming platforms with the Arkansas Racing Commission regulating the industry. The bills would also make operating unregulated platforms in the state a felony.
Pine Bluff’s Saracen Casino pushed for legalization, allowing legislators to cut off unregulated online betting options and allow the state to benefit from the industry.
“More importantly it will serve to restrict the market by allowing only the three licensed casinos in Arkansas to engage in this business,” Saracen Chief Marketing Officer Carlton Saffa said. “In doing so it will generate millions in revenue at the expense of the offshore casinos as they are displaced by legitimate operators.”
Saffa admitted that the bills’ text barring unregulated as “largely symbolic,” but at least gave Arkansas gamblers access to regulated options.
Along with traditional casino games, the plan also allows for online poker and online lottery sales as well as online drawings to raise funds to pay collegiate athletes for their name, image and likeness. Casinos would also be allowed to partner with online gaming operators, but each casino is limited to one skin (or “brand” as outlined in the bills).
Commission Control Most Details
Whether Arkansas could join the Multi-State Internet Gaming Association (MSIGA) interstate poker compact remains uncertain, but many of the details in the plan appear to be left to the racing commission.
Arkansas legalized online sports betting in 2022 and it remains to be seen if Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders would sign an online casino bill. The governor’s spokesman Sam Dubke, didn’t give local media any indication which way she is leaning.
“The governor reviews legislation as it is introduced and debated,” he told the Magnolia Banner News.
However, the legislation was sponsored by two of her fellow Republicans in the house and senate. Arkansas has a population of 3 million, meaning running a ringed-in poker market would seem unlikely.
Pennsylvania (13 million) is expected to join the MSIGA soon and Connecticut (3.7 million) is considering legislation to join. They could join New Jersey (9.5 million), Michigan (10.1 million), and Nevada (3.3 million). West Virginia (1.8 million) and Delaware (1.1 million) are also members, but currently don’t have any poker operators in the states. Illinois is also currently considering legalizing online gaming, including poker.
