Horse racing is the deepest-rooted form of regulated gambling in Arkansas, centered on Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, which runs a live thoroughbred meet each December through May and is the only licensed horse racing venue in the state. The Arkansas Racing Commission, housed within the Department of Finance and Administration, oversees pari-mutuel wagering and advance deposit wagering under Title 23 of the Code of Arkansas Rules. ADW operators must have an agreement with the in-state track, segregate customer funds, block anyone under 18, and submit operating plans to the ARC for approval. Major national ADW brands such as TwinSpires, TVG/FanDuel Racing, NYRA Bets, and AmWager are available to Arkansas residents for wagering on Oaklawn and simulcast tracks across the country. Oaklawn's Racing Festival of the South and the Arkansas Derby continue to draw national handle each spring.
Regulatory Body: Arkansas Racing Commission
There are currently no horse racing betting sites platforms operating in Arkansas. This market is not yet regulated in the state.
Arkansas permits in-person pari-mutuel horse racing at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort (Hot Springs) under the Arkansas Racing Commission, but online advance deposit wagering is not authorized under state law. Arkansas Code Title 23 Chapter 110 governs horse racing and does not include ADW.
National ADW platforms (TVG, TwinSpires, FanDuel Racing) do not accept Arkansas residents. The Arkansas Racing Commission has not licensed any online horse wagering operator.
Verify operators through the Arkansas Racing Commission.
These markets are available in Arkansas with active platforms:
Gambling laws vary by state. Always check your local regulations before participating in online gambling. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-522-4700 (National Council on Problem Gambling) for free, confidential help.
Online horse racing platforms, known as Advance Deposit Wagering (ADW) accounts, allow you to fund an account and bet on races at tracks across the US and internationally without being physically present. Bets are processed into the official pari-mutuel pools at each track, meaning your odds are determined by the total money wagered on each outcome — not by a fixed line set by a bookmaker. This also means the platform you use does not affect your payout odds, since all ADWs pool into the same track pools. Where platforms differ is in coverage breadth, streaming quality, and rewards programs.
Straight bets are the simplest: Win (your horse finishes first), Place (first or second), and Show (first, second, or third). Exotic bets involve multiple horses and offer higher payouts. An Exacta requires picking the top two finishers in order; a Trifecta adds a third; a Superfecta requires the top four. Multi-race bets like the Pick 3, Pick 4, and Pick 5 require selecting winners of consecutive races. Box and wheel bets let you cover multiple combinations within an exotic, increasing your cost but also your chances.
Live streaming coverage is one of the most important features for active horseplayers: the ability to watch races you are betting on is fundamental to the experience. Confirm which tracks a platform streams before depositing — some ADWs have gaps in their streaming agreements. Rebate programs vary significantly: platforms that return a percentage of your handle are materially better for high-volume players. Evaluate the quality of past performance data included — detailed speed figures, pace data, and trainer/jockey statistics save the cost of third-party handicapping subscriptions.
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Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-522-4700 (Arkansas) or 1-800-GAMBLER.