{"id":5492,"date":"2023-01-31T15:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-01-31T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.top10pokersites.net\/?page_id=5492"},"modified":"2024-02-15T15:46:08","modified_gmt":"2024-02-15T15:46:08","slug":"legal","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.top10pokersites.net\/top-10-us-poker-sites\/arkansas\/legal","title":{"rendered":"Legal"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Aside from its hot springs, beautiful rivers, and lakes, Arkansas is also known for its stringent gambling laws<\/b>. The state has only three land-based casinos, and they are not permitted to offer any live poker games but only electronic games of skill. Even home poker games are illegal <\/b>if money is exchanged or rakes are collected.<\/p>\n

Despite this, the Land of Opportunity offers other safe ways for its residents to play poker, thanks to sweepstakes casinos and offshore gambling platforms<\/b>. Additionally, the great news is that the state legalized sports betting in 2019, which indicates that it is gradually expanding its gaming industry.<\/p>\n

Keep reading to learn more about Arkansas\u2019s attitude toward on-site and online poker and where you can enjoy this casino classic.<\/p>\n

<\/i> Is Online Poker Legal in Arkansas?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The Land of Opportunity has always held an anti-gambling stance<\/b>. It can be traced back to the 19th century when anti-gambling leagues were formed to punish bettors. But despite the state\u2019s effort to eradicate gambling, some big cities, like Hot Springs, became quite the opposite \u2014 gambling Meccas that attracted even the most notorious mob figures like Al Capone and Bugs Moran.<\/p>\n

Although the 1874 Constitution of Arkansas prohibited lotteries, the Hot Springs operators continued to lead gambling parlors (thanks to corrupt local officials) up to the Prohibition Era. Poker, craps, and many other table games<\/b> flourished then. Racetracks were permitted in 1905<\/b>, only to be banned again in 1907.<\/p>\n

However, the state\u2019s gambling stance changed with each change of state officials, though it always remained strict. The situation escalated when the Arkansas Governor, Winthrop Rockefeller, closed all gambling venues<\/b> and burned the equipment in 1967.<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t until the 2000s that instant gaming appeared in racetracks. In 2005, Arkansas allowed them to operate electronic games of skill<\/b>, eventually turning these facilities into racinos. The following years saw the legalization of charitable bingo halls, ruffles, horse and greyhound racing, and the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery.<\/p>\n

Finally, poker appeared in racinos in 2008<\/b>. But it only appeared as an electronic table game to comply with the law. In 2018, on-premises sports betting was legalized, and four sites got permission to expand their operations into full casinos<\/b>. Currently, Arkansas is home to three land-based gambling establishments<\/b>.<\/p>\n

Nevertheless, no online casinos in the Land of Opportunity offer real-money poker games. No proposal for legalizing online poker or other online gambling has been drafted either. Still, the recent legalization of online sports betting <\/b>in AR (March 2022) gives hope that the situation may soon change.<\/p>\n

Poker Laws<\/h3>\n

\"Law\"Arkansans must follow the law if they wish to play poker. <\/p>\n

First and foremost, they must be at least 21 years old<\/b> (the legal gambling age in Arkansas) and familiar with all the rules AR laws impose. <\/p>\n

For this reason, make sure you read the following gambling-related legislation below.<\/p>\n