How close is Arkansas sports betting to becoming a reality? It depends on how one of the state’s racetrack casinos defines “soon.”
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Southland Gaming & Racing in West Memphis, Ark., is advertising that a sportsbook is “coming soon.”
Coming soon to West Memphis. pic.twitter.com/6EHKYHxhXX
— Brad Pee (@BradPee) March 9, 2019
Legal Sports Report has inquired with Southland about a timeline to launch. There is currently no reference to a sportsbook on the racino’s website.
Arkansas and sports betting
Arkansas has been moving closer to legal sports gambling in recent months. At last check, the state’s racing commission had approved sports betting rules.
The state’s voters approved expanded casino gaming, as well as sports wagering, in November.
That measure, as passed, required sports betting applications to be taken by this summer. But the timeline might be more accelerated than previously thought, based on Southland’s marketing.
Oaklawn Racing & Gaming is the other existing facility at which wagering could take place, in addition to gaming facilities that haven’t been built yet.
Delaware North and sports betting
The Delaware North-owned property announced a $250 million expansion of the Southland facility in January.
The company had already deployed sportsbooks in West Virginia, via its Mardi Gras and Wheeling Island casinos, as well as an online app.
A BetLucky sportsbook?
Delaware North appears to be deploying the brand it used for its WV sportsbook app, BetLucky.
That brand has taken an early hit, as the app and the two retail sportsbooks abruptly stopped taking wagers last week, with little explanation other than it was due to a “contract dispute.”
Miomni powers (or powered, when they were open) Delaware North’s sportsbooks thanks to a deal signed last fall.
Oaklawn Sports Betting App
Bet Oaklawn Horse Racing Online
It’s not clear if the snafu in West Virginia will affect the potential rollout of Arkansas’ first sportsbook.