Arkansas sports betting expected to super size for the Super Bowl this weekend

Pine Bluff’s Saracen On line casino Resort expects Tremendous Bowl wagers to be up 12-15% from final 12 months, because of the addition of cellular sports activities betting, its executives instructed Axios.

Why it issues: Greater than $198 million in wagers had been positioned on sporting occasions in Arkansas in 2022, with the state’s three casinos paying greater than $3 million in taxes.

• Nationwide, 50.4 million adults are anticipated to wager $16 billion on the large recreation, per the American Gaming Affiliation — roughly double final 12 months’s file tally.

Driving the information: For the primary time, the Tremendous Bowl is in a state the place sports activities betting is authorized — and at a stadium with its personal sportsbook, Axios’ Jeff Tracy writes.

• The sport at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, represents America’s — and the NFL’s — advanced stance on playing.

Zoom in: In-person sports activities betting was legalized in November 2018, however betting by app in Arkansas went into impact in March 2022.

• This weekend would be the first time an individual in NWA can place a wager on the Tremendous Bowl with out bodily being in Scorching Springs, Pine Bluff or West Memphis.

What they’re saying: Guess Saracen operations supervisor Jake Bush, chief advertising and marketing officer Carlton Saffa and sportsbook director Neal Atkinson instructed us they’re wanting ahead to an thrilling weekend. As a result of decision-making occurs in Pine Bluff, the on line casino will be capable to supply about 100 “proposition” bets — a wager on an prevalence or nonoccurrence in the course of the recreation, like the result of the coin toss.

• These kind of bets, particularly ones made as the sport evolves, drive pleasure and elevated betting.

The intrigue: The three Saracen officers mentioned they’ll deal with absolutely anything via the on line casino’s app. One fan just lately positioned a cellular two-game parlay of $100,000 on the NFL playoffs.

By the numbers: Arkansas casinos pay 13% in taxes on all sports activities betting income as much as $150 million in the course of the 12 months. The speed strikes to twenty% of all income above $150 million.

• 55% of the taxes collected go to the state’s normal income fund.
• 27.5% goes to the town and county by which the on line casino is positioned.
• 17.5% goes to the Arkansas Racing Fee for deposit into its Purse and Awards Fund.

Of be aware: Oaklawn and Southland didn’t reply to Axios’ requests for info.

What we’re watching: November is the most important month for sports activities betting, Bush instructed Axios, however March, with its faculty basketball frenzy, is the second largest.

Go deeper: Sports activities betting: The large image