Gambling laws in Arkansas have changed dramatically over the years. For
decades, almost all traditional forms of gambling were banned here. In 2005,
lawmakers in the state began opening up the casino industry and today, Arkansas
is one of the more lenient states in the South when it comes to gambling. Today,
our team of experts is looking at some of the best Arkansas online casinos currently available.
Online Casinos in Arkansas There are no online casinos in Arkansas, and it doesn't look like the state is moving to legalize it any time soon. Although Arizona has a long tradition with some great land-based tribal casinos, it has not legalized online casinos. Arkansas Online Casinos. Arkansas is, undoubtedly, a conservative southern state, which has an overall restrictive approach to gambling. Internet bets have not found their way into state law, which is why prospective online gamblers must pursue their luck at offshore casino sites, joining the majority of the US nation.
It can be a little daunting to choose an online casino for the first time. To
help make this easier, we’re listing our top-five recommended casino sites in
Arkansas that are operating right now.
| Rank | Gambling Site | Deposit Bonus | Get Started | |
| #1 | Las Atlantis | 280% Up To $14,000 | Visit Site | |
| #2 | 300% Up To $6,000 | Visit Site | ||
| #3 | Red Dog Casino | 225% Up To $12,250 | Visit Site | |
| #4 | 100% Up To $11,000 | Visit Site | ||
| #5 | Wild Casino | 250% Up To $5,000 | Visit Site | |
There are many great online gaming options available to residents here. We’re
going to break down some of the most important features that every top online casino site in the
US should offer. Later on, our team is looking deep into the current laws
and regulations surrounding the internet casino market here in AR.
We’ve gotten feedback from our customers in Arkansas, and what we’ve concluded from their feedback is this list is the absolute best online casinos for Arkansas players and the reasons why:
- Ignition Casino – Amazing Sign up Bonus
- Bovada Casino – Great Customer Service Response Time and Wide Variety of Games
- Cafe Casino – Many Deposit Options to Choose from
Most Important Features to Look for in Arkansas Online Casinos
It’s important to know that every casino website operating today is
different. Each will offer players something unique. There are still some
important features that you should ensure the Arkansas casino you plan to join
provides.
We have looked at hundreds of different casino sites in Arkansas over the
years. We’ve come across some truly incredible casino websites and ones that we
don’t recommend playing at. Below are the four most important things to look for
in an online casino today.
Safe and Simplistic Cashier System
The first and most obvious thing to look at in different AR casino websites
is the payment system. A website could offer all of the best casino games with
amazing bonus offers, yet if it doesn’t provide you with safety, it’s not even
worth looking at. We highly recommend that all new players look into the payment
systems of different Arkansas casino sites before deciding to join one.
One quick way to do this is simply checking out the sites for yourself. Head
up to our list of recommended sites and see which accepted payment methods are
listed. This should be easy, as nearly every reputable casino site clearly lists
the payment options they provide.
Another great way to check into the cashier systems of different online
casino sites in Arkansas is to head over to our
online casino reviews page.
Here, we dive deep into every aspect of the country’s most popular online
casinos. If we find anything shady happening with these websites, we’ll let you
know about it.
Arkansas online casinos should make depositing your money easy. Make sure that
the site you plan to join allows these deposits to be made using both debit and
credit cards. Fees are common with deposits, but it’s important to make sure
these fees are not unusually high.
The withdrawal options are even more important to look into. Many US casino
websites only allow for payouts to be made using Bitcoin. This may seem
confusing, but Bitcoin withdrawals are actually the best option provided to
players today. They generally come with very low fees and are processed within
just a few days. Some casino sites,
including Bovada,
provide entire pages that explain how Bitcoin payments are made!
Great Design and User Interface
The next thing that all casino sites in Arkansas should provide is a great
design. Every site has a different design, and it’s not easy to say that one is
better than the other. The most important thing is that it’s easy to both find
the games you want to play and access the cashier system.
Fortunately, almost all AR casino sites allow you to check them out before
you’ve even become a member. You can take some time to scroll through these
website’s pages to ensure everything works properly. If you find that any
website crashes or makes it difficult to place bets, it’s probably not worth
joining.
Everyone has a different design preference. You may enjoy websites that
feature hundreds of different gaming options on the homepage. It’s also possible
that you prefer a simplistic site that only focuses on one or two different
types of casino games. The most important thing is that the AR online casinos
are modern and fit your gaming needs.
The design of a website will impact your entire gaming experience. Spend some
time looking at a few different sites to find one that has a design to fit your
gambling needs.
Wide Range of Different Casino Games
Generally speaking, the more games that a website offers, the better it is.
For that reason, we feel it’s always a good idea to only play through casino
websites in Arkansas offering a wide range of different casino gaming options.
Of course, this may not apply to everyone.
It’s possible that you only enjoy play slots. If this is the case, simply
find a website that provides hundreds of different slot games every day. Do you
prefer table games? Find an online casino that always offers popular games such
as blackjack and roulette.
Contents.The CasinoThe Casino is a game mechanic within the, run. There are different prizes for a 100 credit pull, a 1000 credit pull, and a 10000 credit pull, each one giving you a different amount of Tokens if you win.Token Wins (Work in progress as im testing this myself.BalthasarStrange)For each win you get Casino Tokens based on how much you paid to pull. Hopefully in the future it will be implemented into the game.Slot machines (Celadon)Slot MachineThe Slot machine is another game mechanic that allows players to earn prizes, this time by paying in-game credits to spin the machine, getting if you win. How to find a lucky slot machine pokemon. Check back later!' It allows you to buy Lottery Tickets from the Lottery Ticket Seller and play the Slot Machine.Lottery Ticket SellerLottery Ticket SellerThe Lottery Ticket Seller is an NPC who currently only says 'You'll be able to buy lottery tickets here once the lottery is set up.
Online casino fans will tell you that there are significantly more games
available over the internet than in a land-based casino. Arkansas casino sites
continue to offer more games every single year. It’s always a good idea to make
sure the games being offered use modern software with good graphics.
Much like design, everyone has a different casino gaming preference. You may
be surprised to find out how many people sign up to a website, just to find it
doesn’t offer the games they wanted to play. Don’t let this happen to you!
Helpful Customer Support System
The last feature that casino sites in AR should always provide to their
members is a reliable customer service system. There’s a serious chance you will
never even have to utilize customer support. If, however, you need a question
answered, it’s extremely important to make sure the online casino has your back.
As AR online casinos continue to improve, so do their support systems. The top
Arkansas casino sites will provide a live chat support feature. This allows you
to speak directly with a customer service representative over chat. It’s a great
way to find the help you may need while gambling.
Some companies also offer a direct phone line. This can be another solid way
to have your questions answered in real-time. Some of the lesser-known casino
sites in Arkansas only provide members with email support. We don’t recommend
joining these sites. Communication via email can take weeks!
Arkansas does not regulate the online casino industry. If you need help while
gambling online, you’ll need to rely on the site you’re playing at. The customer
support system of online casino websites reflects the site as a whole. Find one
that will always help you out when you need it.
Are Online Casinos in Arkansas More Popular Than Land-Based Casinos?
The popularity of online gambling is growing every year in the United States.
A number of different states have outright legalized internet gaming, and many
others have pending legislation to begin regulating this industry. Arkansas is
just beginning to expand its land-based gambling market, yet the online gaming
industry continues to grow here as well.
At this point, it’s almost guaranteed that casino sites in Arkansas are more
popular than any of the land-based gaming establishments here. That’s not
entirely surprising, considering there are currently only two brick-and-mortar
casinos here. A new law that passed in November of 2018 will change this.
Under this law, casinos will be allowed in four different Arkansas counties.
An increase in casinos won’t slow down the rise in online gaming. We’ve listened
to many bettors here explain their reasoning for gambling over the internet.
Below are the two most common reasons that we hear from fans of casino gambling
in this state.
1 – Convenience of Making Bets from Anywhere
With only a couple of casinos here, and no more likely to begin operating
anytime soon, online gambling is the most convenient option available right now.
Arkansas casino sites allow you to play your favorite games anywhere, at any
time. Many of these sites even allow you to play on-the-go using a smartphone.
Have you ever driven miles to a casino, only to find out that the games you
wanted to play aren’t available? It’s an all-too-common issue that plagues
gambling fans. This will never happen with Arkansas online casinos!
These websites are available 24/7. As long as you have an internet
connection, you’re free to play all of the most popular casino games available
today! The convenience of making wagers from anywhere is a massive reason why
casino sites in AR continue to grow more popular every single year.
2 – More Gaming Options Available Online
Until very recently, casinos in Arkansas were only able to offer a few
different games. Under the recent amendment to the state constitution, casinos
here can begin to allow different gaming options including table games and
slots. The land-based casinos here will never provide as many different games as
the top casino websites.
Arkansas online casinos simply have more freedom to offer games. There is no space to
take up. Many of the legit Arkansas casino sites that operate today provide
members with hundreds of different games every single day.
The massive number of gaming options available online is astounding. The fact
that these games are provided 24/7 is even better. Don’t believe us? Check out
the sites that we recommend at the top of this page and see just how many games
you can play every single day.
Within a few years, the state of Arkansas may have a significant number of
brick-and-mortar casinos. For now, only two land-based establishments are
offering casino games here. Below are the names and locations of these casinos.
- Oaklawn Racing and Gaming – Hot Springs
- Southland Park Gaming and Racing – West Memphis
Is Online Casino Gambling in Arkansas Legal?
While online gambling laws in the US continue to evolve, they are still far
behind the majority of European countries. Lawmakers in Arkansas are showing a
willingness to open the state’s gambling industry, yet no real progress has been
made in the online market. At the moment, the legality of Arkansas casino sites
lies in somewhat of a gray area.
Land-based casino laws are a little more clear. The criminality of illegal
betting here is defined in Section 5.6.106 of the state statutes:
“It is unlawful for any person to bet any money or other valuable thing
or any representative of anything that is esteemed of value on any game
prohibited by state law.” https://intergol2.netlify.app/online-casino-1-hour-free-play.html.
Some feel that section 5.66.107 clarifies the state’s opinion towards online
gambling.
“It is unlawful for any owner or occupant of any house, outbuilding, or
other building or any steamboat, or other vessel to knowingly permit or suffer
any games, tables, or banks mentioned in 5-66-104 or permit or suffer any kind
of gaming under any name, to be carried on or exhibited in his or her house,
outbuilding, or other building, or on board of any steamboat, flatboat,
keelboat, or other vessel on any of the waters within this state.”
These laws are obviously outdated. Nothing in the state’s criminal code
specifically mentions online gambling or Arkansas online casinos. For that reason, most analysts consider
this market to be open.
Will I Be Prosecuted for Playing at Casino Sites in Arkansas?
It’s extremely unlikely. State officials here have shown an openness to the
gambling industry that’s somewhat unique in the south. We have not come across a
single case of anyone facing legal trouble here for gambling online.
How Can I Stay Safe Playing Casino Games Online Here?
The online casino industry in the US has improved dramatically over the
years. It’s extremely easy to have a safe, fun experience playing casino games
online throughout the country. There are some fantastic casino sites in Arkansas
that focus heavily on providing a secure gambling experience.
Even the very best websites cannot protect you from yourself. There are some
simple steps you can take to ensure that you keep yourself safe while playing
casino games online here. Below are our five tips to stay safe playing at
Arkansas casino sites.
Only Play Through Reputable Online Casinos
There’s no better way to stay safe than playing through a safe website! As
long as the online casino you are playing at provides safe payment options,
you’re unlikely to face any trouble. Check out the Arkansas online casinos that we
highly recommend at the top of this page.
Never Bet More Money Than You Can Afford to Lose
Online casino gambling is extremely fun. It’s so fun, in fact, that some
players accidentally wager more money than they probably should. Don’t make this
mistake! Always track how much you are betting to ensure you won’t lose too much
money.
Stick to Games That You Understand
This applies mostly to those new to casino gambling. As we’ve mentioned
before, many websites provide hundreds of different gaming options. It’s never a
good idea to begin wagering money on a game you don’t understand. Make sure you
know the rules of every game before you throw money down.
Reach out to Customer Service for Help, If Needed
This ties into finding a reputable website. If you ever encounter an issue
with your betting experience, make sure you’re willing to ask for some help. All
of the safe casino sites in Arkansas will be more than willing to answer any
questions you may have.
Never Give out Your Betting Account Information
You should think of your online casino account as a bank account. There’s
real money on the line, which makes it extremely important to always protect
your account information. It’s also a good idea to change your betting account
password from time to time.
FAQ About Online Casinos in Arkansas
What Are the Most Important Features to Look for in Arkansas Casino Sites?
Gambling fans in this state have access to some of the very best online
casinos in the country. Before joining any Arkansas online casinos, make sure
that it provides a safe payment system, a good design, the games you want to
play, and a helpful customer support system.
Are Casino Sites in Arkansas More Popular Than Land-Based Casinos?
There’s no legitimate report on this, but most analysts would say yes. There
are only a few casinos operating in this state. A huge number of online casinos
are available here. Every year, the online gambling market in this state grows
bigger.
Do AR Casino Sites Offer Online Poker?
For the most part, yes! The top AR online casinos operating will
provide many different poker gaming options. You can find games such as Texas
Hold ’em, Omaha, and seven-card stud.
Some of these Arkansas casino websites will also put on regular poker
tournaments for their members. These poker tournaments can offer massive payouts
to the winners. It’s no surprise that some of the best poker players in the
world hone their craft online!
Is Online Casino Gambling Here Actually Legal?
Arkansas online gambling laws are ambiguous to say the least. There are no
specific regulations here that prohibit individuals from playing casino games
online. We have not found a single case of anyone facing legal trouble for
playing casino games online here.
How Can I Stay Safe Playing Online Casino Games in Arkansas?
The online casino industry in the US is safer now than ever before. The best
ways you can protect yourself playing casino games online in Arkansas are to
only play through reputable sites, never bet more money than you can afford to
lose, play games that you understand, be willing to reach out to your casino
site’s customer support representatives, and never give out your betting account
information.
Conclusion
Arkansas is making headlines right now for its new laws towards the gambling
industry. Lawmakers here seem to recognize the massive potential for revenue
earnings through the gambling industry. To stay up to date on changes to the
online gaming laws here, follow our industry news page!
There are some truly incredible online casino sites in Arkansas right now. If
you’re interested, make sure to head back up to the top of this page and check
out the Arkansas online casinos that we recommend. Good luck making your bets!
Whereas other states in America’s Deep South are at least considering the virtues of online real money Internet poker, it looks like The Natural State’s anti-iGaming stance is here to stay in AR. Although Arkansas does permit several types of real cash gambling and wagering, it can by no means be considered a poker gambling or casino haven. In fact, some would argue that Arkansas is one of the most conservative states when it comes to legal Internet poker websites and gambling related activities.
Yet, there are glimmers of hope. Arkansas is bordered by two states – Mississippi and Louisiana – that are seriously considering the virtues of online lawful poker websites with games like real money Texas Hold’em. Also, last year AR state officials authorized a form of online gambling and betting – shocking we know. But it still remains highly unlikely that Arkansas’ powers-that-be will ever give iGaming any serious deliberation. The good news is that real cash poker gambling fans can still play at international Internet poker websites though!
Gambling inside The Natural State isn’t as straightforward, but there are real money US poker sites that will take you as a player.
Casino Measure Rejected; Form Of Internet Gambling Authorized
Quick Jump
- 4 The Facts
List Of Casinos In Arkansas
Todd would go on to make amendments to the language, but unfortunately, Arkansas’ Supreme Court ruled that the acquired signatures – which were gathered before the revision to the lawful poker amendment – were now outdated.
In other news, Arkansas rocked the real money gambling world in early 2014 by passing a piece of legislation legalizing Internet betting and gambling [3]. Senate Bill 329 granted permission to Arkansas’ two racetracks – Oaklawn Racktrack and Southland Park – to allow AR residents to partake in real cash betting on horses or greyhounds via their smartphone or other Internet enabled device. Astonishingly, that Internet gambling bill received no resistance from either the House or Senate and was passed unanimously in both. That means real money online horse and dog betting is legal for 2020.
Could an online lottery be next? Going further, will Senate Bill 329 pave the way for legal online Internet poker in Arkansas in 2020 and beyond? Real money poker website fans really hope so, but only time will tell.
Can Players From Arkansas Play Online Poker?
Believe it or not, Arkansas’ residents in The Natural State will have absolutely no problem finding an online poker website and real money Internet poker rooms to do their poker gambling. If you’re wondering how that’s possible, we don’t blame you. The answer is simple: There are a vast number of legal poker websites located outside of Arkansas’ borders that accept players from the US. And while they don’t all permit players from every state to register a real cash poker account, all the poker websites on our homepage are more than welcoming to players from Arkansas looking for a game of Internet Texas Hold’em poker or any other betting game.
Is Online Poker Legal in Arkansas?
There are several facets of Arkansas’ gambling statues that could pertain to online poker players playing on real cash Internet poker websites. However, the language of the gambling law as it stands in 2020 is noticeably vague, and can be interpreted one of several different ways. It’s for this reason that we highly suggest you speak with a legal expert, conversant in gambling law if you want to be certain you’re playing on a poker website in a legit way.
Overall, Arkansas takes a severe stance against real money wagering, outlawing it in nearly every capacity, including real cash poker games. Noteworthy aspects of the betting laws are listed below:
There is no definition of gambling or gaming in the statues. Yet, it can be inferred from several passages that all types of real money wagering are illegal. As stated by Section 5-66-106: It is unlawful for any person to bet any money or other valuable thing or any representative of any thing that is esteemed of value on any game prohibited by 5-66-104. Reinforcing this statement, Section 5-66-106(a) states that any game of chance and games where any money or property may be won are illegal.
https://ninairport3.netlify.app/list-of-best-online-casinos.html. Residents are not permitted to set up, keep, or exhibit any gaming table or gambling device Section 5-66-104. It is assumed that real money poker tables would fall under this category.
In 2020 the penalties for participating in a gambling game in AR like real money poker are relatively mild, at least in comparison to those inflicted on underground gambling operators. Participants are subject to a fine of between $50 and $100 (Section 5-66-106(b)), whereas poker gambling and casino game device owners could be charged with an unclassified misdemeanor and may be imprisoned any length of time not less than thirty (30) days nor more than one (1) year.
In 2009, Arkansas’ gambling statues were amended to include electronic wagering. They state: Wagers on electronic games of skill may be made only by individuals physically present at the location on the ground of the franchise holder’s authorized racetrack park site.
While there are no laws that deal directly with online Internet poker, the law seems to infer that poker website operators and Arkansas players partaking in it would be abusing the Internet gambling law.
Arkansas’ gambling law can be interpreted such that even all social home games of real money poker in 2020 where no rake is charged would be illegal. That certainly doesn’t bode well for the future of online casino gambling or real money poker betting websites. On a bright note, we are not aware of any arrests in AR prompted by someone playing Texas Hold’em poker or any other game at online poker websites.
If you wish to learn more, feel free to review Arkansas’ state code [4].
- U. S. Poker Site
- Compatibillity
- Editor Rating
- Deposit Bonus
- Very player friendly
- Generous cashback
- Great mobile play
The Facts
The History Of Gambling In Arkansas
Although it might seem hard to believe, Arkansas was once the gambling Mecca of the South. After the Civil War restored peace to the Union, the city of Hot Springs [5], located in Garland County, AR, became well-known for its poker betting and gambling venues. All of this took place amid a local (and hostile) family dispute that would ultimately result in the death of several law enforcement agents.
Table games, real cash poker, horseracing and other forms of gambling thrived in Hot Springs throughout the early 20th century and beyond, with many of the areas facilities overseen by the area’s growing mob influence. It wouldn’t be until the late 1960s that the new Republican regime put a halt to illicit gambling, burning all casino and real money poker equipment in the process.
AR State’s first horse racing facility, Oaklawn Park [6], was constructed in 1904. It would remain the only major racing facility in the state until Southland Greyhound Park opened its doors in 1956. Despite a plethora of casino and poker betting room openings in nearby states throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Arkansas would remain steadfast in its anti-gambling convictions. In fact, it wasn’t until 2008 that a second form of real cash gambling would be legalized in the state, and it wasn’t in the form of casinos or legal poker websites.
That year, charitable bingo and raffles were deemed legal. In addition, the implementation of a statewide lottery was approved by Arkansas voters in 2008, and in 2009 the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery Act permitted a committee to oversee and regulate the Lottery of Arkansas. The state would join forces with other states by the end of 2009, resulting in the first real cash lottery tickets being sold for Powerball, and eventually Mega-Millions, within its confines.
Regulated Gambling Options in Arkansas
Right now, there are but a few regulated offline and Internet gambling options in the Natural State. Players can participate in various lotteries, charitable bingo and raffles (but not casino nights), and wager money on horse and dog race betting. Currently in 2020, there are no commercial or tribal casinos with real money poker rooms located within the state of AR.
Interestingly enough, Arkansas’ two racing facilities are authorized to house electronic games, but only if the games necessitate the use of skill. As a result, electronic real cash poker tables can be found at the Oaklawn race track.
What are the chances of poker players in Arkansas finding a real-money online game in a state that is so against gaming?
The Future Of Regulated Online Gambling In Arkansas
It almost goes without saying that because Arkansas has yet to legalize land-based casinos and poker betting, it has little interest in creating legal Internet poker websites for 2020. Compounding matters, since rejecting Nancy Todd’s casino and real money poker proposal in 2012, no further attempts to regulate commercial casinos or lawful poker rooms have been made. And although the state’s lottery and horseracing facilities implement computerized real cash gambling technology, Arkansas’ officials have been historically against online Internet poker games like Texas Hold’em and all other poker gambling variants.
While an Arkansas-based intrastate Internet poker and gambling iGaming operation will likely never see the light of day, there is a remote possibility that Arkansas’ legislatures will one day turn to online real money poker websites and casino gambling to bolster AR’s struggling economy but that’s unlikely to happen during 2020. Without an intrastate pact, we can’t see Arkansas passing an iGaming bill for legit poker websites any time soon.
Fun Fact
One of the Godfather’s of the modern poker era, Amarillo Slim, was born in Johnson, Arkansas. Born Thomas Austin Preston, Jr. in 1928, Slim would go onto win the third ever WSOP Main Event in 1974. He would win four WSOP bracelets betting on real money poker in total.
In a battle of old vs. new, real cash poker pro Slim would finish second to the then relatively unknown Phil Ivey in the 2000 WSOP $2,500 PLO event.
The Bottom Line
Arkansas is so opposed to online gambling and real money Internet poker that it would likely be one of a handful of states to opt out of a Federal iGaming bill relating to real cash poker websites. Even if the stars aligned and it did enter the online poker landscape and offer residents a choice of legal poker websites where they could enjoy betting real money on poker games like Texas Hold’em AR’s less than three million inhabitants could hardly sustain a healthy legit Internet poker populace.
Although we could see several land-based casinos and real cash poker rooms pop up within Arkansas’ borders over the next ten years, an iGaming real money Internet poker bill making real money poker betting websites legal just doesn’t seem to be in the cards – not right now at least.
References
[1] ↑Queen of Diamonds – the official blog of Nancy Todd
[2] ↑Arkansas Supreme Court Rejects Nancy Todd’s Casino Measure
[3] ↑Cook: GOP-Controlled State Legislature Authorized Internet Gambling
[4] ↑Arkansas State Code
[5] ↑City of Hot Springs Arkansas
Best Casinos In Arkansas
[6] ↑Oaklawn Racing & Gaming
Related Pages:
Comments are closed.