Arkansas Local Casino Guide

Q: How are Arkansas casino winnings taxed?

Gambling winnings in Arkansas must be reported as income for tax purposes. State income tax applies to winnings, and federal tax reporting/withholding rules may also apply to large jackpots and payouts.

Q: Are sweepstakes or social casinos legal in Arkansas?

Yes. While real-money online casinos are not authorized to operate from inside state lines, social casinos and sweepstakes casino sites that offer games for prizes or entry tokens (not direct cash) are legal and popular with some Arkansas players.

Q: Can I use mobile sportsbooks in Arkansas?

Yes. Arkansas allows mobile sports betting tied to licensed casino operators, so residents 21+ can place legal sports wagers on their phones via apps affiliated with the state’s casinos. You can also access offshore sportsbook sites.

Q: What games are offered at Arkansas live poker rooms?

Live poker rooms are available at select casinos, including Southland and Saracen, offering Texas Hold ’em, Omaha, and other popular poker formats with regular tournaments and cash-game action.

Q: Do Arkansas casinos offer promotions and rewards programs?

Yes. All three casinos operate players clubs and loyalty programs that reward regular play with points, free play credits, dining discounts, hotel perks, and more — helping visitors maximize value.

Q: Do Arkansas casinos have hotels and resorts?

Yes. Southland Casino Hotel and Saracen Casino Resort include on-site hotel accommodations, dining, and entertainment, while Oaklawn offers nearby lodging and racetrack amenities to complement its casino gaming.

Arkansas is home to three brick-and-mortar casinos
A fourth casino license is expected to be transferred from Pope County.
Saracen Casino Resort is the largest casino in the state with the most gaming options.

Arkansas sits at the crossroads of the South, the Midwest, and the lower Mississippi Valley, placing the state within easy driving distance of major regional hubs such as Memphis, Dallas, St. Louis, and Little Rock. This central location has helped support a steady demand for in-person gaming, tourism, and entertainment across the region.

Currently home to three licensed local Arkansas casino locations, which currently represent the only state-regulated venues for legal casino gambling. These properties serve distinct regions of the state and attract both local players and visitors from surrounding areas.

At the same time, many Arkansas players also turn to online casino sites, which operate outside U.S. jurisdiction but accept players from the state. Arkansas online casinos offer digital slots, table games, live-dealer options, and sportsbooks with titles and variations that are unavailable through in-state online channels, providing an alternative for players seeking remote access and expanded game variety.

Below, we take an in-depth look at Arkansas’s three licensed casino destinations, offering expert insight to help you choose the best option and get the most out of your in-person gambling experience.

Table of Contents

Arkansas’s Local Casino Gambling Overview

Arkansas gambling laws currently allow:

Slot machines
Table games
Poker (select locations)
Retail sports betting

Online wagering games are not regulated or licensed within Arkansas, meaning there are no state-approved online casinos. However, many Arkansas players access online casino games through offshore operators, that offer a deeper selection of slots and further variations of popular table games that are often left out on the local casino floor.

Commercial Casinos (Racino-origins)

Arkansas is technically home to two licensed racinos (one has transitioned strictly to casino operations), each offering a distinct style of gambling shaped by its history and development. Oaklawn Racing & Gaming continues to operate as a premier thoroughbred horse racing venue with a casino integrated into its property, preserving its deep racing tradition while expanding into modern gaming.

In contrast, Southland Casino Hotel has fully evolved beyond its racetrack origins, transforming into a full-scale casino resort with an expansive gaming floor, live table games, a poker room, and hotel accommodations, positioning it as one of the largest casino destinations in the Mid-South.

Below we will go into further detail about the two commercial gaming facilities and the gambling options they provide.

Southland Casino Hotel — West Memphis, AR

Southland Casino Hotel in West Memphis is one of the largest gaming properties in the Mid‑South, featuring a substantial gaming floor with thousands of slot machines, a wide variety of table games, and a dedicated poker room, all located a short drive from downtown Memphis.

The property began as a greyhound racing venue and has since expanded into a full casino resort. Today, it offers an active gaming environment, multiple dining options, live entertainment, and a modern hotel tower with views of the Mississippi River.

Slots: 2,400+
Table Games: 50+
Poker Room: ✅
Sportsbook: ✅
Rooms: 300+

Oaklawn Racing & Gaming — Hot Springs, AR

Oaklawn Racing & Gaming in Hot Springs combines long‑running thoroughbred racing with a modern casino environment. The property includes a gaming floor with slot machines, electronic table games, and live wagering connected to one of the country’s well‑known racing tracks.

The venue has developed into a full resort destination, offering live racing, casino gaming, multiple dining options, and a hotel. It is located in the Ouachita Mountains, providing access to both gaming and regional attractions.

Slots: 1,500+
Table Games: 30+
Poker Room: ❌
Sportsbook: ✅
Rooms: 200+

Tribal Casinos

Tribal casino gaming in Arkansas is represented by a single, high-profile operation: Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Bluff, which is owned and operated by the Quapaw Nation.

Unlike the state’s race-originated casinos, Saracen was developed under federal tribal gaming principles in partnership with the state following the 2018 constitutional amendment* that expanded casino gambling in Arkansas.

As the only tribal casino in the state, Saracen plays a unique role in Arkansas’s gaming landscape, offering a full range of class III casino games while also serving as a major economic driver for Pine Bluff.

Saracen Casino Resort — Pine Bluff, AR

Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Bluff stands as Arkansas’s premier casino destination, featuring a modern gaming floor with thousands of slot machines, an extensive lineup of live table games, and a dedicated poker room catering to players of all levels.

As the state’s only purpose-built casino resort, Saracen delivers a polished Las Vegas–style experience infused with Southern hospitality, complete with upscale dining, live entertainment, and a full-service hotel.

Slots: 2,000+
Table Games: 40+
Poker Room: ✅
Sportsbook: ✅
Rooms: 300+

Gambling Age Requirements

Casino gambling (in-person): 21+
Sports betting (retail sportsbooks): 21+
Pari-mutuel betting (Horse Racing) 18+
Bingo and charitable gaming: 18+
Online casinos (offshore) 18+

Arkansas casinos strictly enforce these age requirements, and guests must present valid, government-issued identification before entering gaming areas or placing sports wagers at licensed casino properties.

Offshore casinos do not require identification before you can create an account, but you must prove your age before a payout can be issued.

Arkansas Casino Regulation

Local casino gambling in Arkansas is regulated by the Arkansas Racing Commission* (ARC), the state agency responsible for overseeing licensed gaming operations.

The Commission enforces the rules established under the 2018 constitutional amendment that legalized casino gaming, sports betting, and expanded wagering activities in the state. Its authority includes licensing casino operators, approving gaming equipment and sportsbook partners, monitoring compliance, and ensuring the integrity and fairness of casino games.

Recent Online Gambling Legislation

Although real-money online casino gambling is not currently authorized to operate from Arkansas, lawmakers have recently explored the possibility of changing that.

In the 2025 legislative session, bills such as House Bill 1861 and a companion Senate bill (SB524) were introduced to allow the state’s three licensed casino operators to offer regulated online casino gaming, potentially including slots and table games tied to their land-based licenses.

However, the effort did not gain sufficient traction during the session. HB 1861 was withdrawn and referred for interim study rather than debated, and the Senate bill was pulled shortly after introduction.

The issue wasn’t outright rejected, instead, lawmakers opted to gather more information and consider amendments in future sessions, which means online casino legalization remains possible down the road.