Casinos in Arkansas

Jane Shaw By Jane Shaw Editor at Casinos.US Updated: January 16, 2024
Jane Shaw Jane Shaw Editor at Casinos.US See Full Bio

We count on Jane to inform our readers about the latest slot games in the US market. With her passion for video games and a degree in engineering, she's our gambling tech expert. Jane's also active in our blog section, where she tackles the curiosities and changes in the industry.

Arkansas Casino Map - List of Gambling Locations

Arkansas Casino Map

The Best Casino in Arkansas

Arkansas Best Casinos
Slots
2300
Special Services
  • Bar
  • Choice of restaurants
  • Live concerts

The Biggest Casinos in Arkansas

Arkansas Biggest Casino

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.

While they’re aren’t currently any Indian casinos located in Arkansas, however, you can enjoy the state’s two top racinos and access an array of gambling disciplines!

Racinos

As we’ve already touched on, Arkansas is home to two racinos, which is typically defined as a resort that combines an indoor or outdoor racetrack with gambling facilities such as slot machines and blackjack tables.

Arkansas 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!

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, and as of 2018 it was estimated that there were 63 in operation across six separate states.

Unfortunately, none of these are 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). We’d recommend that you check the full list of gambling options in AR before scheduling your visit!

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

While the first two licenses for AR casinos were granted to Oaklawn and Southland (which operates the sole greyhound track in Memphis), a third has since been awarded to the Saracen Casino resort. This location is set to open at some point in 2020 after being delayed by coronavirus, while the fourth and final license is expected to be granted soon.

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
Poker Cash and Poker Tournaments
  • Crazy 4 Poke
  • Fortune Pai Gow
  • Sharp Shooter
  • Razz, Limit Hold ‘em
  • NL Hold ‘em

Additional DetailsThere are no designated poker tables at either Arkansas casino.

Roulette
  • American Roulette
  • European Roulette

Additional DetailsNo 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 DetailsGames 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 DetailsDomestic sports betting was fully legalized in 2019, and horse race betting is also permitted at both racinos.

Gambling Legal Situation in Arkansas

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

Arkansas Gambling Laws

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
history-arkansas-img2.jpg The trail-blazing Oakland racino opened for real on April 1st, 1995.
history-arkansas-img3.jpg
  • 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, and two of these are now fully operational and generative. The remaining two will be launched soon, with a third location in Jefferson having had a June opening date recently pushed back.

Upcoming Changes in the Gambling Regulation

The aforementioned Saracen Casino will definitely open its doors at some point in 2018, while it was recently announced that the Mississippi-based Gulfside Casino Partnership has won the Arkansas Racing Commission’s fourth and final gambling license.

However, 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.

Arkansas Casino Resorts and Trips

As we’ve said, Arkansas’ two racinos aren’t particularly close, so you’ll need to plan your trip carefully if you intend to visit both. We’ve broken down some of the hottest trips and travel packages available, so that you can make an informed decision going forward:

Casino Resorts

Neither racino in Arkansas offer accommodation (or additional parking outside of the venue), but we’ve listed three hotels that are close to either the Oaklawn Racing or Southland venues.

Best Western Winners Circle
Number of Rooms81
Price Range ($)90-164.99
Special Packages"Free Full Hot Breakfast"
Additional ServicesWi-Fi Fitness Pool
The Hotel Hot Springs (Hot Springs)
Number of Rooms196
Price Range ($)94-126
Special Packages"Wedding Package"
Additional ServicesSundry Shop Fitness
Days Inn by Wyndham (West Memphis)
Number of Rooms152
Price Range ($)43-54
Special Packages"Stay 2 Nights & Earn a Free Night"
Additional ServicesFree WiFi Fitness

Casino Trips

Casino shuttle service Emmet  Visit Website
  • Southland,Oaklawn Racing
  • Group tours
Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort  Visit Website
  • Oaklawn Racing
  • Free shuttle

Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to provide only accurate and up-to-date information, please be aware that casinos.us shall not be held responsible for any inaccuracies in the offer packages or other details listed.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

About Arkansas

State Image
Capital Little Rock 
Largest Cities Jonesboro, Fort Smith, Conway 
Size 137.733km2 
Population 3.018 million 
Time Zone GMT -5 
Abbreviation AR