Sports fans in Arkansas might be wondering where to get in on some great sports betting action. You might have heard rumors about the legality of sports betting in the state, but we are here to set the record straight. Many of these rumors started because non-professionals misread the laws. This is an easy thing to do, as the legal language is dense and archaic. We have condensed the law into easy-to-read chunks so you won’t have to trudge through the legal forest of words. We will also reveal the best legal Arkansas online sportsbooks in existence right now for Arkansas players.
There are three laws that govern sports betting. The first one is the Federal Wire Act of 1961. This law criminalizes the use of wire communication devices involved with sports betting. These devices were one of the main tools used by criminals for transferring funds, as well as racketeering. The Wire Act successfully put a stop to much of the organized crime that pervaded the sports betting world, but also limits the options available to sports bettors. The next law to effect sports betting is the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) of 1992. The PASPA criminalizes sports betting in every state except for Delaware, Montana, Nevada, and Oregon. This means you will not find a legal sports betting venue in Arkansas. The third law to regulate sports betting is the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) of 2006. The UIGEA criminalizes the facilitation of online gambling establishments in most of America. These laws combined mean that a: you will not find a legal land-based sports betting venue or bookie, and b: There are no legal sports betting sites that accept Arkansas players operating in Arkansas. This might sound like you have no options, but there are many. Legal online sportsbooks operate overseas, in places like Canada and the Republic of Panama. These sites function legally, fall outside of US federal jurisdiction, and are safe to use.
Read More: Is It Legal To Gamble Online In Arkansas?
When searching for an online sports betting site, you want to keep a few things in mind. Does the site have good reviews from reliable sources? Do leading sports entertainment venues give the sites acclaim? If the answer is “yes” to both of these, the Arkansas online sportsbook is probably worth your time. We have done much of the dirty work for you, and have played at all the premier sportsbooks on the web. These are the safest sites on the internet, and we have judged them on everything from signup bonuses to payout speeds.
Bovada.lv Bovada delivers unbeatable sportsbetting action from the moment you sign up. This site has been serving a slew or Arkansas residents and die hard Razorback fans for well over two decades. Bovada is a subsidiary of BoDog Entertainment, one of the leading names in sports. They deliver the fastest lines on all your favorite games, as well as entertainment and political odds. The sportsbook is world-class, and there has never been a problem guarding members’ information from jeopardy. The Kahnawake Gaming Commission licenses Bovada, and auditors check the site monthly to make sure the games are fair.
Bovada offers live in-game betting, where the odds update during breaks in the action, and refresh automatically. Expert odds automatically adjust after every play allowing you to take advantage of every swing in momentum as the action unfolds. This is the most exciting way to bet on sports, and Bovada does it the best
SportsBetting.ag garners acclaim from media giants such as ESPN and COVERS. This kind of reputation is hard won, and the sportsbook must be out of this world to get mentions in such highly esteemed publications. We have played extensively at SportsBetting.ag and can attest to the excellence of this online sportsbook. It gets the fastest lines in the industry, and the odds are constantly updating. This site is a diamond in the rough, and one that we highly encourage Arkansas sports fans to check out.
If you have a smartphone or a tablet then SportsBetting.ag will have you playing the odds from the palm of your hand. This nifty feature doesn’t involve a download; you just sign in to the mobile site and start wagering. SportsBetting.ag tends to stay away of the latest advances in technology, and they are always adding new features to the site to make betting easier, and more fun.
| Sportsbook | Bonus | Arkansas Welcome? | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bovada Sportsbook | 50% Up To $250 First Deposit | Yes | Visit |
| SportsBetting | 50% Match On First Deposit | Yes | Visit |
| BetOnline Sportsbook | $1,000 On All Deposits - 25% | Yes | Visit |
| 5Dimes Sportsbook | 50% To $200 Then 20% To $500 | Yes | Visit |
Arkansas residents have limited options when it comes to land based sports betting. The fact is, PASPA outlaws sportsbooks from functioning in most states, so you will not find a legal sports betting operating in the state. We do realize that it is not very hard to find a bookie willing to take your money in most cities throughout the US. We recommend staying far away from these independent elements, as they frequently involve organized crime, and your money/life will not be safe. The online sportsbooks that we review are the best option for residents looking for legal Arkansas gambling. This is the rule, not the exception, for most US citizens. Since PASPA bans sports betting in America, the only safe alternative is the legal sports betting sites for Arkansas residents that function overseas. Millions of Americans use these sites every day, so jump on board and start wagering.
There is only one more parameter that Arkansas residents must contend with when attempting to bet on sports legally: the state betting age. Even though these legal Arkansas online sportsbooks will accept all residents over 18, the state age for betting is 21. All players should wait until they are over this age to bet on sports, lest they fall victim to unnecessary fines or perhaps even jail time.
In short, the laws that affect sports betting in Arkansas are quite staunch. The PASPA outright bans sportsbooks from functioning in 46 out of the 50 states. The sports betting road does not lead to a dead-end though, just a minor detour. The US federal laws do not extend overseas, and there are many legal online sportsbooks functioning out of places like Canada, and the Republic of Panama. These sites are safe to use, and are the best options for American sports fans.