Arkansas Horse Racing Betting Sites

State laws on advance deposit wagering require operators to reach agreements with local race tracks before offering their services to Arkansas residents. In addition, Arkansas horse racing betting sites must segregate customers’ funds from operational funds, restrict access to anyone under 18, and submit their operating plans to the Arkansas Racing Commission for approval.

In short, legal ADWs must operate fairly and protect customers’ funds. A handful of advance deposit wagering operators offer legal online horse racing betting in Arkansas, but BettingUSA recommends the above operators because they are experienced, reputable, and hold pari-mutuel licenses in multiple states.

Arkansas Horse Betting Apps

Online racebooks that operate in Arkansas include:

• Twinspires
• Fanduel Racing
• TVG
• Xpressbet
• 1/ST Bet

Arkansas Kentucky Derby Betting

Arkansas horse racing fans can bet on the 2026 Kentucky Derby online or in-person at Oaklawn Park.

Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs hosts the Arkansas Derby each year, a 100-point Kentucky Derby prep race.

Oaklawn Park’s live meet typically concludes in early May, but the track’s simulcast wagering area remains open on Kentucky Derby Day with the full Churchill Downs card available. Oaklawn has historically run Derby Day programming that’s worth checking locally.

Arkansas’s six approved commercial casinos, including Saracen Casino Resort and Southland Casino, may also offer simulcast Derby wagering; verify with each property.

How to bet on the Kentucky Derby from Arkansas

Twinspires is the best choice as the official racebook of Churchill Downs, with live streaming of the Derby and a $200 signup bonus available to new customers.

>>>Click Here To Claim A $200 Kentucky Derby Signup Bonus Using Code BET200<<<

Renegade, the 4-1 Kentucky Derby Future Wager favorite, earned his spot at Churchill Downs by winning the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park on March 28. Trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., Renegade was elevated from a 20-1 long shot earlier in the prep cycle to the chalk after the Oaklawn win, making this a year when Arkansas fans have an unusually direct rooting interest on the first Saturday in May.

Arkansas Online Horse Racing Betting Laws

Licensed horse racing facilities are permitted up to sixty-eight race days per Arkansas law (A.C.A. §23-110-402). Sunday race days must be approved by local electors prior to submission to the Arkansas Racing Commission. 

Advance deposit wagering is permitted on thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing. Bettors must be 18 or older to bet on horse races online or in-person at the track.

Simulcast wagering is made possible in Arkansas through the federal Horseracing Act of 1978. This allowed the state to accept off-track wagers on races in other states, and when technology permitted, on horse betting apps.

Live Arkansas Race Tracks

Arkansas is home to a single thoroughbred horse racing track. A greyhound race track operated until the end of 2022, but it phased out greyhound racing in response to increasing public demand for an end to the sport. However, the former greyhound track still operates a casino and offers daily simulcast wagering.

Oaklawn Racing & Casino

2705 Central Ave
Hot Springs, AR 71901

Live thoroughbred horse races are run December through early May. Standard race days are Friday through Sunday with Thursday races in March and May.

The casino has 30 live table games, 1,500 slot and video poker machines, table games, and sports betting. Guests must be at least 21 years of age to enter the casino. There are multiple restaurants, a seasonal pool, spa and an eight-story hotel on the property.

Southland Casino

1550 Ingram Blvd
West Memphis, AR 72301

Southland Casino offers year-round simulcast wagering and casino games. This Delaware North casino offers 50 live table games, 2,400 slot machines, table games and a Betly Sportsbook. Casino players must be at least 21 years of age. The property also has multiple dining options and a 300-room hotel.

Arkansas Off-Track Betting

In Arkansas, simulcast wagering is only available at Oaklawn and Southland casinos. It is not permitted at any taverns or Arkansas casinos that do not have racetracks. 

Major Arkansas Horse Racing Events

Oaklawn hosts multiple Grade 1, Grade 2 and Grade 3 races during its racing season. 

• Apple Blossom Handicap (G1): $1,000,000 purse, open to 4yo+ fillies and mares, held in April
• Arkansas Derby (G1): $1,250,000 purse, open to 3yo thoroughbreds, held in April
• Azeri Stakes (G2): $350,000 purse, open to 4yo+ fillies and mares, held in March
• Bayakoa Stakes (G3): $250,000 purse, open to 4yo+ fillies and mares, held in February
• Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (G3): $500,000 purse, open to 4yo+ thoroughbreds, held in April
• Essex Handicap (G3): $500,000 purse, open to 4yo+ thoroughbreds, held in March
• Fantasy Stakes (G3): $600,000 purse, open to 3yo fillies, held in April
• Honeybee Stakes (G3): $300,000 purse, open to 3yo fillies, held in February 
• Oaklawn Handicap (G2): $1,000,000 purse, open to 4yo+ thoroughbreds, held in April
• Oaklawn Mile Stakes (G3): $400,000 purse, open to 4yo+ thoroughbreds, held in April
• Razorback Handicap (G3): $600,000 purse, open to 4yo+ thoroughbreds, held in February 
• Rebel Stakes (G2): $1,000,000 purse, open to 3yo thoroughbreds, held in February 
• Southwest Stakes (G3): $750,000 puse, open to 3yo thoroughbreds, held in January 
• Whitmore Stakes (G3): $200,000 purse, open to 4yo+ thoroughbreds, held in March 

Arkansas Greyhound Racing Betting

Arkansas ended all greyhound racing at the end of 2022. Southland Park was one of the country’s few surviving greyhound tracks after Florida voters decided to prohibit greyhound betting via an amendment approved in November 2018. At the time, Florida was home to 11 of the country’s 17 operational greyhound race tracks.

The 2018 amendment that authorized sports betting in Arkansas also required gambling facilities to set 14% of casino gambling net receipts for racing purses, but even that was not enough to save greyhound racing at Southland. However, the facility received approval to become a dedicated casino without live racing. After a $250 million expansion, Southland now boasts a 20-story hotel, 2,400 gambling machines, and 50 table games.

Arkansas Horse Racing Betting FAQ