A bipartisan group of state lawmakers filed legislation Wednesday that would legalize online casino gambling for the three licensed casinos in Arkansas and make it a felony to operate unlicensed online casinos or sportsbooks in the state.
The bill would also allow Arkansas casinos to expand interactive gaming to include drawings to benefit name, image and likeness (NIL) collectives that state universities use to pay student athletes. Both the drawings and interactive games would be subject to approval by the Arkansas Racing Commission.
House Bill 1861 is sponsored by Rep. Matt Duffield (R-Russellville) and Sen. Dave Wallace (R-Leachville).
