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Casinos in Arkansas

Jane Shaw Written By Jane Shaw
Last Updated on 30.04.2025

The southern state of Arkansas elected to legalize casino gambling in 2018, which authorized the construction of four casinos in the state. Southland and Oaklawn soon opened their casinos, while also hosting live horse and greyhound racing on a regular basis, quickly followed by Saracen Casino Resort operated by the the Quapaw Nation. However, plans for the fourth casino are currently mired in legal disputes.

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Arkansas Casino Map – List of Gambling Locations

Arkansas Casino Map

The Best Casino in Arkansas

Arkansas Best Casinos
Southland Casino Hotel
Website: www.southlandcasino.com
Phone: (800) 467-6182
Address: 1550 North Ingram Blvd , West Memphis , 72301 , USA
Slots: 2300
Table Games: 50
Min Bet: 0.01
Max Bet: 25.00
Opening Hours: 24/7
Dining: Yes
Bars: Yes
Attractions: Yes

The Biggest Casinos in Arkansas

Arkansas Biggest Casino
Southland Casino Hotel
Website: www.southlandcasino.com
Phone: (800) 467-6182
Address: 1550 North Ingram Blvd , West Memphis , 72301 , USA
Slots: 2300
Table Games: 50
Min Bet: 0.01
Max Bet: 25.00
Opening Hours: 24/7
Dining: Yes
Bars: Yes
Attractions: Yes
Oaklawn Racing
Website: www.oaklawn.com
Phone: (501) 623-4411
Address: 2705 Central Ave , Hot Springs , 71901 , USA
Slots: 1500
Table Games: 28
Min Bet: 0.01
Opening Hours: 24/7
Dining: Yes
Bars: Yes
Attractions: Yes

Are There Indian Casinos in Arkansas?

Indian casinos may be referred to by several different names, such as native or tribal establishments. They’re best described as gambling operations that are located on Indian reservations, or other pieces of tribal land located throughout the US.

Owned and operated by the Quapaw Nation and located in Pine Bluff, the Saracen Casino Resort opened in 2020. Although the Cherokee Nation was granted a license for the $300 million Legends Resort Casino project in Russellville, this was later revoked, sparking a complex and lengthy legal battle with the state.

Racinos

Arkansas is home to two racinos, typically defined as a resort that combines an indoor or outdoor racetrack with gambling facilities such as slot machines and blackjack tables.

These racinos also host a vast array of race types, from harness events involving thoroughbreds and Grade I competitors to greyhound racing. We’ve listed more details in the table below, while you’re free to visit each website to learn more!

Oaklawn Racing
Website: www.oaklawn.com
Phone: (501) 623-4411
Address: 2705 Central Ave , Hot Springs , 71901 , USA
Slots: 1500
Table Games: 28
Min Bet: 0.01
Opening Hours: 24/7
Dining: Yes
Bars: Yes
Attractions: Yes
Southland Casino Hotel
Website: www.southlandcasino.com
Phone: (800) 467-6182
Address: 1550 North Ingram Blvd , West Memphis , 72301 , USA
Slots: 2300
Table Games: 50
Min Bet: 0.01
Max Bet: 25.00
Opening Hours: 24/7
Dining: Yes
Bars: Yes
Attractions: Yes

Are There Cruise Ship or Riverboat Casinos in AR?

Riverboat (or cruise ship) casinos are categorized as establishments that are located at docks or waterfronts. Unfortunately, there are none located in landlocked Arkansas, although the state does share a border with Mississippi, which boasts a number of riverboat casinos and is considered to be the home of this type of establishment.

Full Arkansas Casino List

Interestingly, the two racinos in Arkansas aren’t particularly close, with the cities of Hot Springs and West Memphis separated by a whopping 181.4 miles. You can drive from one to the other in approximately two hours and 47 minutes by car, so you may be best served by picking out one for a particular trip or night out.

Choose a City
Choose a Type
All Casinos in Hot Springs
Oaklawn Racing 2705 Central Ave, Hot Springs, 71901 Racinos
All Casinos in West Memphis
Southland Casino Hotel 1550 North Ingram Blvd, West Memphis, 72301 Racinos

Expected New Casinos

Oaklawn and Southland are both now established racino venues, while the Saracen Casino Resort managed by the Quapaw Nation became the third gambling hotspot licensed in Arkansas. However, the elusive fourth casino license has met with legal issues.

The Cherokee Nation was granted a license to build the Legends Resort Casino in 2024, issued by the Arkansas Racing Commission, ahead of their proposed $300 million project. However this license was revoked later in the same year following amendments to the state constitution, leading to a complicated legal battle.

Gambling in Arkansas

Arkansas Gambling Topics Gambling Facts for Arkansas
Number of Casinos 2
Casino Types Racinos
Casino Games Offered Slots, Table Games, Poker,
Age 21+ to bet with cash (in Southland)
Smoking Yes/No*, *Smoking inside is prohibited but there are external smoking areas in each AR casino.
Drinking Yes/No*, *Drinking while playing is allowed, but no free alcoholic drinks are served
Opening Hours
24/7, Some casinos are closed on Easter and Christmas. Check the brands pages for more info
Betting Limit $25.00 (at the Southland casino)
Taxation of Winnings Yes/No, for additional details click here

Casino Games in Arkansas

Both racino resorts in Arkansas offer access to a huge array of casino games, from upright and video reel slots to dice games and real-money poker tournaments. Here’s a full breakdown of the games available:

Slot
  • Colossal Wizards
  • Li’l Red
  • Spartacus Gladiator of Rome
  • Forbidden Dragons
  • Queen of the Wild II
  • Lazer Lock Ice Sapphire
  • 3050 Slot Machines
  • Types: Traditional Reel, Video Reel, Video Poker Free Slot Tournaments
  • Slot Providers: WMS Gaming
Casino Poker
  • Let it Ride
  • Flop Poker
  • Limit Hold ‘em
  • No Limit Hold ‘em
Cash Poker & Tournaments
  • Crazy 4 Poke
  • Fortune Pai Gow
  • Sharp Shooter
  • Razz, Limit Hold ‘em
  • NL Hold ‘em

Additional Details There are no designated poker tables at either Arkansas casino.

Roulette
  • American Roulette
  • European Roulette

Additional Details No French Roulette is available at either AR casino

Blackjack
  • Any 2 Card Blackjack
  • Spanish 21
  • Hand-Held Deck
  • Shoe Game, Single Deck
  • Double Deck

Additional Details Games available with between one and eight decks and both houses’ require the dealer to stand on a soft 17.

Dice Games
  • Craps
  • Sic Bo, Hazard
  • Chuck-A-Luck
Lottery Games
  • Keno
  • 75 Ball Bingo
  • 90Ball Bingo
  • Daily Lotto Draws
  • Mini Lottos
  • Scratchers
Other Games
  • High Card Flush
  • Baccarat, Big 6 Wheel
  • Casino War
  • Virtual Racing
  • Video Poker
Sports Betting
  • Football
  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Golf
  • Tennis
  • Hockey

Additional Details Domestic sports betting was fully legalized in 2019, and horse race betting is also permitted at both racinos.

Gambling Legal Situation in Arkansas

  1. When was casino gambling legalized in Arkansas? Casino gambling was officially legalized by the state in November 2018, with two fully operational racinos located in Hot Springs and West Memphis. Two additional resorts will be opened in Jefferson (the Saracen Casino) and Pop Counties in the near-term.
  2. Online gambling in AR Online gambling in Arkansas remains illegal, unless players are physically on site at one of the two racinos in the state. No mobile wagering is permitted at all, and there are no plans to change this in the foreseeable future.
  3. What is the legal gambling age in Arkansas? The legal gambling age in Arkansas is currently 21, and this restriction is imposed on the floors of both racinos located in AR.
  4. Can you smoke in AR casinos? Both Arkansas casino venues allow smoking in clearly marked and dedicated areas, but this practice is prohibited outside of these spaces
  5. Horse racing / Off-Track betting You can wager on horse and greyhound racing when on-site at either the Oaklawn Racing or Southland resorts, but off-track betting continues to be prohibited by the state.
  6. Dog racing in AR Once again, you can bet on greyhound races at the Southland resort, but any form of off-track wagering is completely prohibited by Arkansas law.
  7. Arkansas charitable gaming Charitable gaming has been lawfully permitted in Arkansas since 2007, when the state licensed more than 140 groups to host bingo games and commercial raffles.
  8. Other legal restrictions There are no additional or unusual wagering restrictions in Arkansas, although you should note that riverboat casinos remain completely prohibited by the state authority.

Taxation of Winnings

Prior to July 2019, gambling winnings from so-called games of skill were assessed at a 3% flat tax rate (in addition to the 24% federal tax levied on gambling winnings in the US). Since this date, however, Arkansas casino winnings will be subject to the average tax rate of 6.9%, although this will vary depending on the amount of cash won.

Prize ($) Arkansas Gross Income Tax (%)
Up to 5,000 lottery winnings (any prize) Excluded from the tax base
Long term gains acquired after 12/31/11 (any prize) 10 *exclusion
Non-resident aliens (any prize) 30 federal 6 state

Arkansas Gambling Laws

  • Act of 1151 of 2005 Games of Skill legislation: This law expanded gambling opportunities at racinos, by allowing for the installation of additional gaming machines.
  • Charitable Bingo and Raffles Enabling Act 2007: Creating carve-outs for charitable gambling such as bingo, allowing for 140 licenses to be distributed across the state.
  • Arkansas Issue 4 Casinos Authorized Initiative (2018): Legislation is passed in 2018 allowing the construction of four casinos, to be distributed throughout the state.

History

As we’ve already pointed out, winnings may be subject to a total tax of 30.99%, including both federal and state income levies. Online or mobile gambling has yet to be legalized, with off-track and remote sports betting fully prohibited throughout the state.

Arkansas history image
  • 1920: Hot Springs is central to the history of gambling in Arkansas, which can be traced back to the end of the Civil War. This city is a federally protected reserve in AR, and one that saw the iconic Oakland racetrack first emerge during the 1920s.
  • 1967: This popular gambling hub was shut down in 1967, and it took nearly 40 hours for any viable form of gambling to once again become legal in AR. In 2005, the law was changed to introduce gaming machines at racetracks, while charitable bingo in the state was fully legalized less than two years later.
  • 2018: In 2018, the local electorate voted to permit the opening of four casino locations in Arkansas, with the Issue 4 amendment. Three are now operational.
  • 2018: Issue 2 amendment blocks fourth casino license in Pope County.

Upcoming Changes in the Gambling Regulation

Since votors approved the Issue 4 amendment in 2018, granting four casino licenses in 2018, three of those licenses have been taken. The fourth license was initially granted to the Cherokee Nation for the Legends Resort Casino in Pope County, but that was revoked by a constitutional amendment in the November 2024 election, requiring countywide voter approval of any new casino licenses. The outcome of the subsequent legal dispute has yet to be resolved.

Aside from the land-based casino venues, there are no plans or proposed bills aimed at legalizing online or mobile gambling in AR, and it’s not expected that any will be rolled out in the near-term.

FAQ

Are There Casinos in Arkansas?

There are two licensed and operational racinos in AR, with an additional two scheduled to open in the short and medium-term in the state.

Are Drugs Allowed in AR Casinos?

Drugs aren’t permitted in either of Arkansas’ racino locations, although it is legal to carry medical marijuana in certain circumstances.

Is it Possible to Bring Your Kids into AR Casinos?

The short answer is no, as gamblers or visitors to the Oaklawn and Southland venues aren’t legally permitted to bring their children inside.

Do AR Casinos Allow Guns?

Act 746 allows for concealed carry without permit in Arkansas, and there’s no legislation to prevent you from taking your gun into either state racino location.

Can I Bring my Pets to Any Casino in Arkansas?

Under current laws in Arkansas, you’re not permitted to take any pets or animals into either racino resort (although service and guide dogs are exempt from such rulings).

Where can I get help regarding gambling addiction?

If you experience issues with problem gambling behavior in AR, you can reach out to the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery for help. The National Council on Problem Gambling also has some great sources in this respect, and we’ve listed these in greater detail here.

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