DraftKings, FanDuel Apply For Arkansas Online Sports Betting Access

• The two largest sports betting companies in the U.S. have applied for online sports betting licenses in the Natural State
• The Arkansas Racing and Gaming Commission confirmed their applications
• Both will partner with Arkansas casinos for market entry

Arkansas online sports betting may soon allow the entry of the two largest sports betting companies in the U.S.

Arkansas Racing and Gaming Commission spokesperson Scott Hardin confirmed both FanDuel and DraftKings have submitted applications to the commission to operate online sports betting in the state.

Larry Henry of Gambling.com was the first to report the news.

State Revenue Share Still in Place

FanDuel and DraftKings will partner with an Arkansas casino to receive sports betting access in the state. If approved, Hardin reported the companies will have the ability to partner with any of the state’s existing casino sportsbooks. The approvals will not be specific to one casino in the state, Hardin said.

FanDuel is reportedly looking to partner with Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in Hot Springs, while DraftKings hopes to partner with Southland Casino.

These are the current sports betting offerings in the state:

• Saracen Casino: BetSaracen
• Southland Casino: Betly Sportsbook
• Oaklawn Casino: Oaklawn Sports

The Arkansas Racing and Gaming Commission can meet as soon as next week, Hardin said, and could potentially discuss the applications.

Arkansas online sports betting has been legal since March 2022, but the state has an unique revenue sharing requirement that has turned off most major sports betting companies from entering the market.

The Natural State features a 51% sports betting revenue clause, which requires state casinos to keep at least 51% of sports betting revenue if partnered with an online sportsbook company. Online sportsbooks typically keep between 85% to 95% of revenue in partnerships with casinos in other states.

Regulated Sports Betting Approach in State

Neither DraftKings or FanDuel offer their sports event contracts in Arkansas, which has pushed back against the markets. Both companies offer other prediction market contracts in the state.

In 2025, Arkansas reported about $655 million in total sports betting handle, a nearly $98 million increase from the 2024 total. Additionally, sports betting generated more than $116 million in tax revenue during the year as well.

With the potential addition of both DraftKings and FanDuel to the sports betting market, the handle and tax increase revenue totals will likely increase moving forward.