Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort has become the first venue to launch sports betting in Arkansas, the ninth state to begin taking bets since the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act was struck down.
The venue launched legal wagering from July 1, following approval from the Arkansas Racing Commission, within its Race & Sports Book, with self-service betting kiosks to be rolled out throughout the venue.
Customers can now bet on a range of sports, with features such as in-play wagering, proposition betting, parlays and futures all available.
“We’re excited to now be offering sports wagering,” the venue’s general manager Wayne Smith said. “It’s a new level of entertainment for our guests.”
The venue, which is owned by the Oaklawn Jockey Club, is partnered with Churchill Downs Interactive, with sports betting software and risk management provided by SBTech.
The roll-out comes after the Racing Commission approved regulations to allow the state’s racing facilities to expand into full service casinos.
Per the regulations approved by the Racing Commission, operators pay a 13% tax on the first $150m of casino gaming revenue, which rises to 20% on revenue above that sum. Interactive gaming licences, covering online wagering, will also be made available.
Oaklawn launched table games from April 1, accompanied by the venue changing its name from Oaklawn Racing and Gaming.
It remains unclear when the state’s other racetrack-casino, Delaware North’s Southland Gaming & Racing aims to launch sports betting.