A bill that would have legalized online casino gaming in Arkansas appears to be dead in the water , and according to one top lawmaker, it never really had a shot in the first place.
State Senate President Pro Tempore Bart Hester (R-Cave Springs) told Gambling.com this week that House Bill 1861 has “no chance” of passing before the legislature adjourns on April 11. He went even further, saying the proposal will be “vigorously opposed” by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Attorney General Tim Griffin, making its path forward practically impossible.
But while the headlines focus on the bill’s failure, the real story may lie in what it tried — and failed — to shut down: untaxed, unregulated sweepstakes casinos that continue to operate across Arkansas with little oversight.
HB 1861: A Bill Meant to Legalize and Restrict
HB 1861 would’ve been a major shift for Arkansas gaming. The bill proposed legalizing iGaming, which includes online slots, blackjack, and craps, all playable on mobile devices and desktop computers. It would’ve made Arkansas one of the first states in the region to offer full-scale online casino gaming. Currently, only sports betting is legal online.
But the bill also carried a more subtle, and maybe controversial clause: it would’ve banned sweepstakes-style casinos, the kind that offer cash prizes through virtual currency systems and operate in grey legal territory. These platforms have exploded in popularity nationwide, especially in states where traditional online gambling is still off the table.
Supporters of the bill, like Carlton Saffa, chief market officer at Saracen Casino Resort, say the sweepstakes industry is siphoning off revenue, operating without regulation, and putting consumers at risk.
“Most are offshore, and many directly linked to China,” Saffa said, arguing that legalizing and regulating iGaming would drive out bad actors while keeping tax dollars in-state.
He also pointed out that even without proper regulation, digital gambling in Arkansas is already thriving, it’s just doing so out of sight and off the books.
Sweepstake Operators Push Back
Not surprisingly, the Social and Promotional Games Association (SPGA), which represents sweepstakes casino operators, slammed the bill as a direct attack on their industry, warning lawmakers it would shut down legitimate businesses and drive players further underground.
“The SPGA urges Arkansas lawmakers to reject this broad, punitive legislation and instead engage with stakeholders to create a balanced, informed policy,” the group said in a public statement.
To them, HB 1861 wasn’t a fair fight. It framed sweepstakes casinos as villains, without offering a chance to bring them under a clearer legal structure. The association has been lobbying heavily in other states as well, where similar bills are starting to gain traction — and backlash.
A Political Misfire — or a Missed Opportunity?
The bill’s Senate companion didn’t stand much of a chance either. It was pulled after the sponsoring senator admitted he misunderstood what the legislation actually did, thinking it was about limiting foreign influence, not legalizing online casinos.
That kind of confusion, paired with strong pushback from top state officials, pretty much sealed the deal.
But some say Arkansas may have missed a bigger opportunity. With unregulated gaming already thriving behind the scenes, critics say the state missed a chance to step in and take control — bringing oversight and tax revenue to an industry that’s quietly operating in the shadows. And with more states moving to ban or regulate sweepstakes casinos, Arkansas could end up as a haven for operators looking to slip through the cracks.
🕹️ What’s Next?
For now, sweepstakes casinos remain active and unregulated in Arkansas. Online slots and blackjack? Still off-limits… at least legally.
But the conversation isn’t going away. With millions of dollars pouring into these platforms each year, and more consumers playing from their phones than casino floors, the pressure to figure out a path forward is only growing.
Whether Arkansas chooses to confront that reality in 2025, or continue to ignore it, might just depend on which side of the table the lawmakers are sitting.
Blaise Luis
