There was a certain symmetry to Arkansas sports betting in September, compared to August.
With the NFL and college football returning, the amount of wagering on sports rose dramatically, as is the case all over the country each September. Arkansas proved to be another test case because this is the first football season with mobile sports betting in the state.
In Arkansas, the handle, or amount wagered, on sports doubled in September compared to the previous month. The revenue tripled and the amount made from mobile sportsbooks was four times the figure from August.
Casinos in Arkansas had a more normal month, with handle down slightly but revenue up a bit in a month-over-month comparison.
Arkansas Sports Betting, September vs. August
Arkansas Sports Betting Breakdown
The total sports betting handle in Arkansas was $21,185,547 in September, almost exactly double the previous month (to be precise it was 107.8% higher than the $10,195,911 in August). In the July Arkansas revenue report the handle had dipped below $10 million, at just $9.29 million that month.
The mobile sports betting handle spiked 119.3%, from $7.17 million in August to $15.73 million last month.
Southland Casino in West Memphis has a partnership with Betly and Saracen Casino in Pine Bluff developed the BetSaracen app in a partnership with Amelco-UK.
Oaklawn launched its mobile betting app in September, in partnership with the Kambi Group. The Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in Hot Springs is also home to a famed horse racing track.
The total sports betting revenue, or net win, in September was $3,208,032, up 216.0% from August’s $1,015,340. The revenue derived from mobile sportsbooks was $2.34 million last month, up 323.0% from August’s $553,119.
Major national operators such as BetMGM Arkansas Sportsbook, DraftKings, FanDuel and Caesars have yet to enter the Arkansas market, partly because of a state law that says bookmakers must give local casino partners 51% of their profits.
That share is usually 10% to 15% in other states with legal, regulated sports betting markets.
Interest is high in the Arkansas Razorbacks in the Natural State but a three-game losing streak ended the team’s time in the top 10 of the Associated Press rankings.
Before the season. quarterback KJ Jefferson was a darkhorse Heisman Trophy candidate. But he is now listed at +12000 with DraftKings Sportsbook to earn college football’s highest honor.
Casinos in Arkansas Steady in September
The casino gaming market at the state’s three facilities is much steadier because card games and the like don’t have the seasonal variances that sports betting does.
September’s casino revenue was $44,105,414, up 1.9% from August’s $43,290,926. But the handle fell slightly, 0.9%, from $580 million in August to $574.9 million last month.
For the best Arkansas sportsbook promos from national operators when they enter the state, check out BetArkansas.com all year long.
