Arkansas online sports betting made its debut on Saturday when Southland Casino Racing launched its Betly online sportsbook. The platform is available on PC and Mac computers, but the mobile app version is expected to launch soon.
Betly Sportsbook Becomes the First Provider to go Online
Bettors across the state who will be using the platform through their computers will receive a $250 risk-free wager to new customers. Southland also has a retail Betly Sportsbook location which is located at the Sports Bar & Grill, and other kiosks in the area.
Southland is a casino and greyhound track that is owned by a Buffalo-based company Delaware North. The app should go live soon in the state.
A Southland spokesperson stated that the app will be available within weeks of launch. The sportsbook company is also available in another jurisdiction in the industry that includes West Virginia where Delaware North operates two gaming facilities.
Retail Sports Betting Is Also Available in Casinos
Retail sports betting is already available across the state with windows and kiosks available in three casinos throughout the state. Online sports betting has yet to begin due to a recent Arkansas Racing Commission rule change and legislative approval was required for the operation to begin.
Online sports betting has proven to be the go-to in other markets in the industry as markets that offer both see that the majority of the monthly handles come via mobile sports gambling. Southland’s president and general manager, David Wolf, believes that it will do the same in Arkansas.
He stated, “The Betly online sportsbook will make it even easier for our patrons, all Arkansas residents, and visitors to the state, to wager on their favorite teams,” he said in a statement.
Wolf said that the online platform allows Southland to strengthen its presence by moving on to the next project. Southland is expected to open a new casino gaming complex in the spring and the addition of a hotel later this year.
Other Casinos Are Expected to Open Soon
Arkansas has officially established a sports betting market as of last Friday. Mobile sports betting apps are expected to be available soon for the residents to download. Southland’s computer-only launch came as a surprise on Saturday.
To have a mobile sportsbook app, a lot of factors need to be considered before being able to launch. The app must take a lot of customer-protection measures that include verification when funding their accounts.
Chief market officer at Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Bluff, Carlton Saff, also stated that the BetSaracen smartphone app will be activated just in time for March Madness which will begin on March 15th on neutral sites across the country. On the other hand, the general manager of Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in Hot Springs, Wayne Smith, stated that this casino’s app will be in the works for any time between April and June.
Smith stated, “We took a more conservative approach and waited for the Racing Commission and the legislature to give their approval before we started working with our vendor GAN to get our mobile platform ready…Our mobile platform will mirror the same wagering menu Oaklawn offers its guests on property, which rivals any national brand’s menu out today.”
March Madness was the most wagered event last year which will be an exciting time for the casinos and new users who will get their first look at legal mobile sports betting. Arkansas is also home to fans that have widespread support for their Razorbacks. The Razorbacks are currently holding the 15th position in the AP Top 25 poll with a 24-7 record.