A legislative proposal to legalize online casino gaming in Arkansas has been withdrawn from consideration and referred for interim study. House Bill 1861, introduced by Representative Matt Duffield, aimed to authorize the state’s three licensed casinos (Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort, Southland Casino Hotel, and Saracen Casino Resort) to offer online casino-style games such as digital blackjack, roulette, and slots through their existing sports betting platforms.
HB 1861 also sought to address the issue of unregulated online gambling by proposing to make the operation of illegal online casinos or sportsbooks a felony offense. Currently, players in Arkansas don’t have any state-regulated online casino sites and therefore rely on offshore-based alternatives for online and mobile gaming. Anyone looking for options can read more on PokerStrategy about platforms to enjoy exciting and rewarding real money mobile gambling in the US.
The bill was scheduled for discussion in the House Judiciary Committee but was pulled by Duffield prior to the meeting. He requested the referral to interim study to allow for further examination and debate on the proposal. This move effectively halts the bill’s progression during the current legislative session.
The proposal faced opposition from some lawmakers and state officials. Senate President Pro Tempore Bart Hester indicated that the bill was unlikely to gain sufficient support in the legislature. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Attorney General Tim Griffin also expressed opposition to the expansion of online gambling in the state.
Supporters of the bill argued that regulating online casino gaming could generate new tax revenues and create jobs in tech and compliance sectors. According to figures reported by Arkansas Online, the state’s three brick-and-mortar casinos saw a 3% year-over-year increase in total revenue in the first quarter of 2025. Proponents believe that a regulated online market could complement this growth by tapping into digital demand.
The proposed Interactive Gaming Act outlined in HB 1861 would have established oversight by the Arkansas Racing Commission, which already regulates sports betting and land-based casino operations in the state. The bill included provisions to ensure player verification, geolocation compliance, responsible gambling tools, and tax frameworks.
With the measure now under interim study, stakeholders, including casino operators, consumer protection groups, and tech vendors, will have more time to weigh in on the specifics. Lawmakers are expected to revisit the matter ahead of the next regular legislative session in 2026, potentially armed with updated economic models, comparative analysis from other U.S. states, and legal recommendations.
As of May 2025, online casino gaming is legal and operational in a handful of U.S. states, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Connecticut, Delaware, and West Virginia. Arkansas lawmakers have been watching these markets closely, especially as online sports betting, legalized in Arkansas in 2022, continues to grow. Any future proposal may draw from these models to shape Arkansas’s regulatory approach.
-In collaboration with Alex Sushchuk
