BetSaracen mobile wagering app launched in Arkansas
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BetSaracen App Launches in Arkansas
Arkansas’ Saracen Casino Resort has announced its online sports betting app is now live. The web platform and mobile app launched on Monday under the BetSaracen brand. The new BetSaracen app is the second mobile sports wagering platform to launch in Arkansas. The Betly Sportsbook, a browser-based site, launched on March 5, a day after mobile sports betting was legalized in the state. The Betly app launched at a later date for mobile users.
Buffalo, New York-based Delaware North, owns the Betly sportsbook. The online site and mobile app are hosted in Arkansas by Southland Casino Racing, a casino and greyhound track in West Memphis.
The third casino in Arkansas, Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in Hot Springs, will likely launch a sports betting app in the next couple of weeks.
Horse Racing App from Oaklawn available
The Hot Springs resort already has Oaklawn Anywhere, an app that allows bettors to bet on horse races. Sports wagers are not permitted on horse racing apps. The iconic racetrack at Oaklawn is home to the Arkansas Derby, a crucial prelude to the Triple Crown races now underway.
This year’s Triple Crown has already made headlines worldwide with the Kentucky Derby last week, as long-shot Rich Strike was victorious. The Triple Crown will finish with the Preakness Stakes on May 21 and Belmont Stakes on June 11.
Mobile Betting gets approval
In late 2021, the Arkansas Racing Commission voted for a rule change to permit mobile betting in the state. On-site sports betting at betting kiosks and ticket windows already had been legalized. The rule change for mobile betting required legislative approval before it could be implemented.
On February 22, the legislative Joint Budget Committee gave final approval to mobile sports betting. After a mandatory filing period, mobile betting became legal in Arkansas. When the mandatory waiting period finished on March 4, Southland launched its Betly sports betting platform the following day.
Saracen had initially planned to have its mobile platform live in time for the March Madness basketball tournament. However, the resort encountered delays caused by approval from app stores and vendors.
Arkansas implements 51% Profit-Sharing Provision
The Racing Commission mobile betting rule change has a provision requiring national online operators, like DraftKings and FanDuel, to share 51% of profits when partnering with a local casino on a mobile app. Typically, these national operators share 5-15% of profits.
Local casinos claimed the majority of profits should remain in-state. The national operators said profit-sharing arrangements should be agreed upon between themselves and local casinos rather than by the government.
Arkansas is the only state that has a profit-sharing provision established by a regulatory rule.
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