The following article serves to function as a reference to Arkansas residents looking brush up on their knowledge when it comes to all forms of legal online gambling in Arkansas. We will cover legal gambling sites for Arkansas residents, as well as land based casinos. The legal language can be hard to navigate for non-professionals, so we will explain the important section in plain, easy-to-read English. There are boatloads of opportunities for Arkansas residents right now, and knowing how, and where, to find them is the first step. The laws, once deconstructed, are easy to understand. After reading this page, you will be able to pursue many gambling options without the burden of worry. The laws are mainly in place to protect the average gambler, so let’s dive in and see what they have to say.
The Arkansas state laws are relatively lenient when it comes to gambling, and work in much the same way that the federal laws do in that while a resident will not be punished for merely participating in gambling, they could face stern penalties for operating their own websites. A few casinos in the state offer many games, including no-limit poker and blackjack. The PASPA disallows sports betting, so you will not find a legal sportsbook in the state. This is the case for 46 out of the 50 states, so don’t feel shortchanged. We will look at a few section of the law that affect the average gambler, and dissect them so you have a complete understanding of the meanings.
16-118-103 - This section protects average gamblers from swindlers. The land-based casinos in the state will never rip you off, but if you feel like the recipient of a badly dealt hand, the courts will hear your plea. Arkansas is all about keeping citizens safe, and this section attests to that.
5-66-101 - This interesting section is rare in many state laws. The language states that judges are to be lenient when it comes to gambling laws. They will look at all points of view when considering a case, and portray a certain amount of wiggle room. The law mainly targets those who try to slip through the legal cracks when setting up illegal gambling operations.
5-66-103 - This section criminalizes the construction of an illegal gambling venue. Every state has a section like this, and it prevents criminals from setting up underground gambling rackets. Stick with the regulated land-based casinos, or the many online gambling sites that operate overseas, and you will be safe.
5-66-114 - This is an interesting section. Many states do not write laws regarding sports betting since the PASPA criminalizes it almost nationwide. Arkansas adds this law so potential bettors do not attempt to send information, bet, or receive bets on sports games. This law helps limit illegal bookie activity in the state.
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Concerning all of the federal laws that govern online gambling for Arkansas residents, the most important thing for players to keep in the front of their minds is that none of these federal laws apply to players. Instead, the government attacks the facilitators of online gambling. This means that no matter the circumstance of your online gambling, the federal government takes no umbrage with you as long as you remain a mere player at the legal Arkansas gambling sites out there.
Wire Act – The first major federal law to regulate gambling was the Wire Act of 1961. During the early 20th century, organized crime gained a strong foothold in the gambling world. Racketeering, theft, and violence were synonymous with gambling at this time, so the federal government needed to step in and regulate. The Wire Act criminalizes the use of wire transmission devices involved with gambling, one of organized crimes’ main tools used for racketeering. The Act successfully limited the scope of the criminal’s dealings, and made the world a much safer place for gamblers.
PASPA – Sports betting has long been one of the main targets for organized crime. Underworld bookies would routinely take bets and keep the money, coming after the family of anyone who interfered. In 1992, congress deemed sports betting to be a “national problem”. This prompted the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), made to limit sports betting in America. The PASPA effectively criminalized sports betting in every state except for Delaware, Montana, Nevada, and Oregon. The effectiveness of PASPA is in dispute, as there are now more illegal bookies and underground sports betting rackets than ever before. Many experts predict the sports betting will become legal in many states within a decade, but until then, the legal online sportsbooks that we cover on our review pages are the safest options.
UIGEA – The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) of 2006 regulates online gambling. This law criminalizes the facilitation of online gambling sites in most of the US. This is the law that spawns many rumors about the legality of online betting. The good news is that, while online gambling sites do not function in the US, there are many legal sites operating overseas that are safe to use. These sites are the main source of online gambling for most US residents, and they are legal to use.
The age to participate in legal gambling for Arkansas residents is 21. The land-based casinos all serve alcohol, so you must be of age to be on the casino floor. Most of the online gambling sites only require you to be 18, but we suggest following the state law when signing up. Underage gambling is an easily avoidable crime, so always keep in mind the state laws. When looking at the gambling age of a website, compare it with the state gambling age, and always go with the higher number.
We hope that this page has given you a greater understanding of the laws that affect gamblers in Arkansas. There are many legal options out there for residents to choose from. Check out our online gambling site reviews to see which sites are safe to use. Two great casinos in the state offer excellent gaming options. Whether you choose online or real-world gambling, you can be sure that you are doing it legally.
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