Lawmakers in Arkansas have filed a bipartisan proposal that would legalize online casino gaming and outlaw unlicensed sweepstakes. Senate bill 524 and House bill 1861 were both introduced last week, with 14 legislators listed as sponsors.
Three Arkansas Casinos Could Offer Online Casino Gaming
Sen. Dave Wallace is the lead sponsor of the Senate bill, and Rep. Matt Duffield is his counterpart for the House bill. The companion bills would allow Arkansas’ three licensed casinos — Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort Hotel, Saracen Casino Resort, and Southland Casino Hotel — to offer online casino gaming.
Furthermore, all three casinos already have legal online sports betting. In fact, section two of the bills would implement the Interactive Gaming Act. Each casino would receive one iGaming license to add to their online sportsbook license.
The Arkansas Racing Commission would regulate the state’s online casino market. Of course, the legislation does not set a proposed tax rate or license fee.
In addition, the new bills address sweepstakes, and the state General Assembly also determined that “unlicensed, unregulated and untaxed casino-style and sports wagering offerings are an ever-growing threat to the citizens of Arkansas.”
The state of Arkansas defines sweepstakes as “any online or mobile game, contest, or promotion” that “utilizes a dual-currency system of payment that allows the player to exchange the currency for a prize, award, cash or cash equivalent, or a chance to win any prize, award, cash, or cash equivalent” and simulates casino-style, lottery games, or sports betting.
Licensed Casinos Would Be Able To Offer Sweepstakes
However, licensed casinos would still be able to offer sweepstakes under the legislation. Under SB 524, unlicensed sweeps operators of any unregulated online casinos or sportsbooks would be subject to a felony.
Along with boosting economic development in the Natural State, lawmakers believe legislation will help protect higher education institutions and their affiliated nonprofits.
“This act is immediately necessary to ensure that institutions of higher education and their affiliated nonprofit organizations can financially support their student-athletes and athletic programs, which will bolster economic development, education and commerce in the State of Arkansas,” states the language. “Therefore, an emergency is declared to exist.”
The Arkansas legislative session is scheduled to end on April 11.