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Two of the biggest names in sports betting could be heading to the Natural State.
Key Takeaways
- FanDuel and DraftKings could be operating sports betting in Arkansas before the end of February.
- The two gaming giants would have to be a third-party partner with one of the state’s three casinos.
- FanDuel and DraftKings would be required to share 51% of revenue with those in-state operators.
FanDuel and DraftKings have both applied with the Arkansas Racing Commission to become third-party partners with an in-state casino operator and could be active as early as next week.
Can confirm that DraftKings and FanDuel mobile sportsbooks ((could)) go live in Arkansas as early as next week; decision rests with Arkansas Racing Commission, which could approve at a meeting next week; books could launch immediately after
— Ryan Butler (@ButlerBets) February 18, 2026
[H/T @NEWSLarryHenry, first to report]
If approved by regulators, the popular online sportsbooks would run their sports betting app through a co-branding with one of the three casinos. State law requires that 51% of their revenue go to the Arkansas partner.
Re: the reports of DraftKings and FanDuel working toward a launch soon in Arkansas... investment bank Citizens notes that the DK app in AR has already begun using the logo of West Memphis' Southland Casino: pic.twitter.com/0NAosOsh2X
— Geoff Zochodne (@GeoffZochodne) February 19, 2026
Decision coming?
The commission could meet later this month, but the applications from FanDuel and DraftKings have yet to be added to the agenda, according to a report from KNWA in Little Rock.
FanDuel is the largest market-share sports betting operator in the U.S., with its product available in 26 states. DraftKings already has an Arkansas presence with its daily fantasy sports site. Adding its sports betting product would give the second U.S. market-share leader its 27th operating state.
State of betting
Arkansas sports betting began in 2022. All gaming runs through Saracen Casino in Pine Bluff, Oaklawn Casino in Hot Springs, and Southland Casino in West Memphis.
Saracen and Oaklawn both have their own sports betting apps for online wagering, while Southland has a partnership with Betly.
There are no legal online casinos in the Natural State. DraftKings and FanDuel would offer sports betting only. A legislative bill last year that would’ve brought iGaming to Arkansas through those three casinos never made it out of an initial committee.
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