Best Arkansas Sports Betting Apps for NBA: FanDuel, DraftKings & More

FanDuel and DraftKings launched their online sports betting applications in Arkansas on March 20, 2026, expanding the state’s legal wagering market beyond tribal affiliated platforms.

The expansion follows a decision by the Arkansas Racing Commission on February 26, 2026, when the commission unanimously approved sports wagering vendor licenses for both operators.

Partnerships and Market Entry

To operate within the state, the two national sportsbooks entered into partnerships with local entities. DraftKings has partnered with Oaklawn Casino, while FanDuel has partnered with Southland Casino Hotel to manage their respective Arkansas sports betting applications.

National operators had previously avoided the Arkansas market due to concerns regarding the state’s revenue split requirements. The current framework forces third-party operators to provide more than half of their revenue to their in-state partners.

Evolution of Arkansas Sports Betting

The legalization of sports betting in Arkansas developed over several years following national judicial changes and local legislative actions.

• May 2018: The Supreme Court deemed the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) unconstitutional, which allowed individual states to legalize sports wagering.
• November 6, 2018: Arkansas voters passed Issue 4, also known as Amendment 100, which authorized legal sports betting at licensed casinos and allowed for casino gaming.
• July 1, 2019: The first legal sports bet in the state was placed at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort, consisting of a $5 wager on the Dallas Cowboys.
• April 2021: The state passed House Bill 1942, which established the necessary framework for the implementation of online sports betting.

While online sports betting officially launched in 2022, the market remained limited until the recent entry of the two larger national operators in March 2026.

Current Promotional Offers

Both FanDuel and DraftKings have introduced welcome bonuses for new customers registering in Arkansas.

FanDuel is offering a promotion where new customers can Bet $5, Get $300 in Bonus Bets, win or lose.

DraftKings is offering a similar promotion for new users who deposit and wager $5 or more on any market to receive $300 in bonus bets, regardless of the outcome. These bonus bets are non-withdrawable and expire after 168 hours, or seven days. This specific DraftKings offer is scheduled to end on April 26, 2026, at 11:59 PM CST.

FanDuel ran a specialized promotion on April 6, 2026, timed for the UConn vs. Michigan National Championship Game. This offer provided up to $300 back in bonus bets daily for 10 days.

Regulatory Oversight

The Arkansas Racing Commission serves as the regulator for sports betting within the state, overseeing the issuance of vendor licenses and ensuring compliance with state law.

Eligibility for using these platforms requires users to be at least 21 years old and physically present within the state of Arkansas.