While Arkansas had estimated gaming to generate $3.7m in revenue for December, it surpassed that figure by an additional $100,000. The month’s above-expectation results take the state’s year-to-date gaming revenue up to $25.8m, 4.5% above the forecast of $24.7m.
In total, Arkansas’ gaming revenue for December was 7.5% higher than the same month last year. The year-to-date revenue is also an 11.2% increase on 2022’s numbers.
Arkansas: betting journey
Sports betting launched in Arkansas in July 2019, following approval from the Arkansas Racing Commission. Arkansas became the ninth state to begin taking bets since the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was struck down.
Online sports betting was introduced in April 2022, when a collaboration between Gaming1 and Delaware North led to the launch of Betly.com. This allowed bettors across the state to participate in sports betting on Southland Casino Racing’s online website and through iOS and Android apps.
In August 2022, Kambi Group entered into a multi-channel sportsbook deal with Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in Arkansas. The deal allowed Kambi to provide its on-property and online sportsbook solutions direct to the thoroughbred racetrack and casino.
The launch of online sports betting has helped to grow the industry in Arkansas. November 2023’s revenue was north of $45m for the first time, with total commercial gaming revenue for Q1 standing at $177m, a 20.1% increase year-on-year.