FanDuel and DraftKings Enter Arkansas Market Amid Revenue-Share Hurdles
AI-generated image · US National Wire
The arrival of two industry giants in the Natural State signals a shift in a market previously constrained by a strict 51% revenue-sharing mandate.
According to CBS Sports, the Arkansas sports betting landscape shifted significantly on Feb. 26, 2026, when the Arkansas Racing Commission unanimously granted sports wagering vendor licenses to FanDuel and DraftKings.
While sports betting has been legal in Arkansas since 2019, the market remained limited for several years. CBS Sports reports that third-party operators were largely deterred by a revenue-sharing rule approved by the Arkansas Racing Commission on Dec. 30, 2021, and finalized by the Arkansas Legislative Council on Feb. 22, 2022. This rule requires third-party operators to give more than half of their revenue—specifically 51%—to their in-state partners.
DraftKings and FanDuel have now accepted these terms to establish a presence in the state. DraftKings partnered with Southland Casino Hotel, replacing the Betly app that previously operated under that license. FanDuel partnered with Oaklawn Casino, which resulted in the decommissioning of the Oaklawn Sports app in favor of a FanDuel app "powered by Oaklawn Sports," as reported by CBS Sports.
Both operators officially launched their Arkansas betting sites on March 20, 2026. To capture market share, both companies introduced aggressive introductory offers. CBS Sports notes that DraftKings is offering new users $200 in instant bonus bets after a $5 wager. FanDuel is offering new users $350 in bonus bets for betting $5 over seven days, as well as up to $1,000 in "bet reset tokens" for users who bet $5 in each of the five days following signup.
Not every local casino has opted for a national partnership. CBS Sports reports that Saracen Casino Resort has not entered into a licensing agreement with a national sportsbook and continues to operate its own BETSaracen app.
From an industry perspective, the entry of these operators follows a period of steady growth in the state. CBS Sports reports that Arkansas sportsbooks surpassed $1 billion in total handle on Sept. 24, 2024. Additionally, the market includes federally regulated prediction markets such as Kalshi and Polymarket, which CBS Sports states are legal in Arkansas as trading markets for sporting event outcomes.