Arkansas legislators have introduced a bill aimed at legalizing online casino wagering, to be operated by the state’s three licensed casinos, while making the operation of unlicensed online casinos and sports betting a felony.
Bill Expands Mobile Games to Include Roulette, Blackjack, Poker
House Bill 1861, which had bipartisan support, was filed this past week, and now goes to the House Judiciary Committee on its way to becoming law. HB 1861 would expand mobile games to include, “without limitation slot machines, video poker, or table games that include without 16 limitation blackjack, roulette, craps, and poker.”
These games would be offered via mobile apps operated by the state’s three licensed casinos – Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Buff, Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in Hot Spring, and Southland Casino Resort in West Memphis.
Sports Betting is Legal in Arkansas
According to the American Gaming Association, seven U.S. states currently offer legal online casino play – Michigan, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, and West Virginia.
Sports betting is already legal in Arkansas – with apps operated by the three casinos. Rep. Matt Duffield and Sen. Dave Wallace sponsored the new bill, the latest measure by licensed casinos and lawmakers to join forces and combat illegal offshore iGaming in the state, a growing concern over issues like responsible gambling, with no tax revenue flowing back to the state.
Online Casino Wagering Legal in 8 U.S. States
The legislation would also allow casinos in the state to expand interactive gaming and operate drawing games of chance approved by the Arkansas Racing Commission to raise money and benefit, a “name, image, or likeness [NIL] collective consistent with the Arkansas Student-Athlete Publicity Rights Act … or any other organization affiliate with an Arkansas collegiate athletics program.” These collectives are a method of providing financial compensation to student athletes.
Cease-and-desist letters from a number of gaming states have recently been sent to offshore casino and sports betting operators illegally targeting U.S. players. Arizona was one of the latest, issuing a letter to Bovada Online Gambling. A threat that has emerged across the U.S. has been sweepstakes casinos – which claim to be free-to-play fun money games but actually allow players to purchase digital currency.
Michigan Goes After Illegal Gambling
In February, Michigan issued cease-and-desist letters to nine unlicensed online casinos.
These unlicensed operators are not only in violation of Michigan’s laws but also pose significant risks to consumers by offering limited and often unreliable withdrawal options,” said Michigan Gaming Control Board Executive Director Henry Williams at the time. “Our role is to protect Michigan residents by ensuring that all online gambling activities are carried out legally and responsibly. These operators have 14 days to cease their illegal activities or face further legal action.”
The post Arkansas Introduce Bill Aimed At Legalizing Online Casino Wagering appeared first on Casino.org.
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