Arkansas Casinos: Map of Top Gambling Destinations

Are There Indian Casinos in Arkansas?

Indian casinos may be referred to by several different names, such as native or tribal establishments. They’re best described as gambling operations that are located on Indian reservations, or other pieces of tribal land located throughout the US.

While they’re aren’t currently any Indian casinos located in Arkansas, however, you can enjoy the state’s two top racinos and access an array of gambling disciplines!

Racinos

As we’ve already touched on, Arkansas is home to two racinos, which is typically defined as a resort that combines an indoor or outdoor racetrack with gambling facilities such as slot machines and blackjack tables.

Arkansas racinos also host a vast array of race types, from harness events involving thoroughbreds and Grade I competitors to greyhound racing. We’ve listed more details in the table below, while you’re free to visit each website to learn more!

Oaklawn Racing	Hot Springs	1.0,		N/A	Read Our Review Visit Website
Southaland	West Memphis	N/A,		N/A	Read Our Review Visit Website

Are There Cruise Ship or Riverboat Casinos in AR?

Riverboat (or cruise ship) casinos are categorized as establishments that are located at docks or waterfronts, and as of 2018 it was estimated that there were 63 in operation across six separate states.

Unfortunately, none of these are located in landlocked Arkansas, although the state does share a border with Mississippi (which boasts a number of riverboat casinos and is considered to be the home of this type of establishment). We’d recommend that you check the full list of gambling options in AR before scheduling your visit!

Full Arkansas Casino List

Interestingly, the two racinos in Arkansas aren’t particularly close, with the cities of Hot Springs and West Memphis separated by a whopping 181.4 miles. You can drive from one to the other in approximately two hours and 47 minutes by car, so you may be best served by picking out one for a particular trip or night out.

Choose a City

Choose a Type

All Casinos in Hot Springs
Oaklawn Racing	2705 Central Ave, Hot Springs, 71901	Racinos	Hot Springs
All Casinos in West Memphis
Southaland	1550 North Ingram Blvd, West Memphis, 72301	Racinos	West Memphis

Expected New Casinos

While the first two licenses for AR casinos were granted to Oaklawn and Southland (which operates the sole greyhound track in Memphis), a third has since been awarded to the Saracen Casino resort. This location is set to open at some point in 2020 after being delayed by coronavirus, while the fourth and final license is expected to be granted soon.

Gambling in Arkansas

Arkansas Gambling Topics	Gambling Facts for Arkansas
Number of Casinos	2
Casino Types	Racinos
Casino Games Offered	Slots, Table Games, Poker,
Age	21+ to bet with cash (in Southland),
Smoking	Yes/No, Smoking inside is prohibited but there are external smoking areas in each AR casino.
Drinking	Yes/No, Drinking while playing is allowed, but no free alcoholic drinks are served
Opening Hours	24/7 , Some casinos are closed on Easter and Christmas. Check the brands pages for more info
Betting Limit	$25.00 (at the Southland casino)
Taxation of Winnings	Yes/No, for additional details click here

Casino Games in Arkansas

Both racino resorts in Arkansas offer access to a huge array of casino games, from upright and video reel slots to dice games and real-money poker tournaments. Here’s a full breakdown of the games available:

Slot

Colossal Wizards
Li’l Red
Spartacus Gladiator of Rome
Forbidden Dragons
Queen of the Wild II
Lazer Lock Ice Sapphire

3050 Slot Machines
Types: Traditional Reel, Video Reel, Video Poker Free Slot Tournaments
Slot Providers: WMS Gaming

Casino Poker

Let it Ride
Flop Poker
Limit Hold ‘em
No Limit Hold ‘em

Poker Cash and Poker Tournaments

Crazy 4 Poke
Fortune Pai Gow
Sharp Shooter
Razz, Limit Hold ‘em
NL Hold ‘em

Additional DetailsThere are no designated poker tables at either Arkansas casino.

Roulette

American Roulette
European Roulette

Additional DetailsNo French Roulette is available at either AR casino

Blackjack

Any 2 Card Blackjack
Spanish 21
Hand-Held Deck
Shoe Game, Single Deck
Double Deck

Additional DetailsGames available with between one and eight decks and both houses’ require the dealer to stand on a soft 17.

Dice Games

Craps
Sic Bo, Hazard
Chuck-A-Luck

Lottery Games

Keno
75 Ball Bingo
90Ball Bingo
Daily Lotto Draws
Mini Lottos
Scratchers

Other Games

High Card Flush
Baccarat, Big 6 Wheel
Casino War
Virtual Racing
Video Poker

Sports Betting

Football
Baseball
Basketball
Golf
Tennis
Hockey

Additional DetailsDomestic sports betting was fully legalized in 2019, and horse race betting is also permitted at both racinos.

Gambling Legal Situation in Arkansas

When was casino gambling legalized in Arkansas?

Casino gambling was officially legalized by the state in November 2018, with two fully operational racinos located in Hot Springs and West Memphis. Two additional resorts will be opened in Jefferson (the Saracen Casino) and Pop Counties in the near-term.

Online gambling in AR

Online gambling in Arkansas remains illegal, unless players are physically on site at one of the two racinos in the state. No mobile wagering is permitted at all, and there are no plans to change this in the foreseeable future.

What is the legal gambling age in Arkansas?

The legal gambling age in Arkansas is currently 21, and this restriction is imposed on the floors of both racinos located in AR.

Can you smoke in AR casinos?

Both Arkansas casino venues allow smoking in clearly marked and dedicated areas, but this practice is prohibited outside of these spaces

Horse racing / Off-Track betting

You can wager on horse and greyhound racing when on-site at either the Oaklawn Racing or Southland resorts, but off-track betting continues to be prohibited by the state.

Dog racing in AR

Once again, you can bet on greyhound races at the Southland resort, but any form of off-track wagering is completely prohibited by Arkansas law.

Arkansas charitable gaming

Charitable gaming has been lawfully permitted in Arkansas since 2007, when the state licensed more than 140 groups to host bingo games and commercial raffles.

Other legal restrictions

There are no additional or unusual wagering restrictions in Arkansas, although you should note that riverboat casinos remain completely prohibited by the state authority.

Taxation of Winnings

Prior to July 2019, gambling winnings from so-called games of skill were assessed at a 3% flat tax rate (in addition to the 24% federal tax levied on gambling winnings in the US). Since this date, however, Arkansas casino winnings will be subject to the average tax rate of 6.9%, although this will vary depending on the amount of cash won.

Prize ($) up to 5,000 lottery winnings (any prize) Arkansas Gross Income Tax (%)excluded from the tax base

Prize ($) long term gains acquired after 12/31/11 (any prize) Arkansas Gross Income Tax (%)10 *exclusion

Prize ($) non-resident aliens (any prize) Arkansas Gross Income Tax (%)30 federal 6 state

Arkansas Gambling Laws

Games of Skill legislation
This law expanded gambling opportunities at racinos, by allowing for the installation of additional gaming machines.
Charitable Bingo and Raffles Enabling Act 2007
Creating carve-outs for charitable gambling such as bingo, allowing for 140 licenses to be distributed across the state.
Casinos Authorized Initiative (2018)
Legislation is passed in 2018 allowing the construction of four casinos, to be distributed throughout the state.

History

As we’ve already pointed out, winnings may be subject to a total tax of 30.99%, including both federal and state income levies. Online or mobile gambling has yet to be legalized, with off-track and remote sports betting fully prohibited throughout the state.

The trail-blazing Oakland racino opened for real on April 1st, 1995.

1920 Hot Springs is central to the history of gambling in Arkansas, which can be traced back to the end of the Civil War. This city is a federally protected reserve in AR, and one that saw the iconic Oakland racetrack first emerge during the 1920s.
1967 This popular gambling hub was shut down in 1967, and it took nearly 40 hours for any viable form of gambling to once again become legal in AR. In 2005, the law was changed to introduce gaming machines at racetracks, while charitable bingo in the state was fully legalized less than two years later.
2018 In 2018, the local electorate voted to permit the opening of four casino locations in Arkansas, and two of these are now fully operational and generative. The remaining two will be launched soon, with a third location in Jefferson having had a June opening date recently pushed back.

Upcoming Changes in the Gambling Regulation

The aforementioned Saracen Casino will definitely open its doors at some point in 2018, while it was recently announced that the Mississippi-based Gulfside Casino Partnership has won the Arkansas Racing Commission’s fourth and final gambling license.

However, there are no plans or proposed bills aimed at legalizing online or mobile gambling in AR, and it’s not expected that any will be rolled out in the near-term.

Arkansas Casino Resorts and Trips

As we’ve said, Arkansas’ two racinos aren’t particularly close, so you’ll need to plan your trip carefully if you intend to visit both. We’ve broken down some of the hottest trips and travel packages available, so that you can make an informed decision going forward:

Casino Resorts

Neither racino in Arkansas offer accommodation (or additional parking outside of the venue), but we’ve listed three hotels that are close to either the Oaklawn Racing or Southland venues.

Best Western Winners Circle
Number of Rooms	81
Price Range ($)	90-164.99
Special Packages	"Free Full Hot Breakfast"
Additional Services	Wi-Fi, Fitness, Pool

The Hotel Hot Springs (Hot Springs)
Number of Rooms	196
Price Range ($)	94-126
Special Packages	"Wedding Package"
Additional Services	Sundry Shop, Fitness

Days Inn by Wyndham (West Memphis)
Number of Rooms	152
Price Range ($)	43-54
Special Packages	"Stay 2 Nights & Earn a Free Night"
Additional Services	Free WiFi, Fitness

Casino Trips

Provider	CTA	Trips	Packages
Casino shuttle service Emmet	Visit Website	Southland,Oaklawn Racing	Group tours
Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort	Visit Website	Oaklawn Racing	Free shuttle

Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to provide only accurate and up-to-date information, please be aware that casinoreviewbank.com shall not be held responsible for any inaccuracies in the offer packages or other details listed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are There Casinos in Arkansas?

There are two licensed and operational racinos in AR, with an additional two scheduled to open in the short and medium-term in the state.

Are Drugs Allowed in AR Casinos?

Drugs aren’t permitted in either of Arkansas’ racino locations, although it is legal to carry medical marijuana in certain circumstances.

Is it Possible to Bring Your Kids into AR Casinos?

The short answer is no, as gamblers or visitors to the Oaklawn and Southland venues aren’t legally permitted to bring their children inside.

Do AR Casinos Allow Guns?

Act 746 allows for concealed carry without permit in Arkansas, and there’s no legislation to prevent you from taking your gun into either state racino location.

Can I Bring my Pets to Any Casino in Arkansas?

Under current laws in Arkansas, you’re not permitted to take any pets or animals into either racino resort (although service and guide dogs are exempt from such rulings).

Where can I get help regarding gambling addiction?

If you experience issues with problem gambling behavior in AR, you can reach out to the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery for help. The National Council on Problem Gambling also has some great sources in this respect, and we’ve listed these in greater detail here.

Capital	Little Rock
Largest Cities	Jonesboro, Fort Smith, Conway
Size	137.733km2
Population	3.018 million
Time Zone	GMT -5
Abbreviation	AR

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