Efforts to legalise online casinos in Arkansas have been shelved for the year, as House Bill 1861 (HB1861) was officially withdrawn from consideration just weeks after its introduction. The move brings an early end to what some had hoped would be a landmark legislative push to modernise the state’s gaming framework.
HB1861, sponsored by Representative Matt Duffield, was quietly pulled from the House Judiciary Committee’s agenda on 7 April 2025, ahead of a scheduled hearing, effectively halting its progression in the 2025 legislative session. A companion measure in the Senate — SB524, introduced by Senator Dave Wallace — met an even swifter end, withdrawn only one day after it was filed.
Short-lived effort
Had the legislation advanced, it would have enabled Arkansas’s three existing land-based casinos — in Hot Springs, Pine Bluff, and West Memphis — to launch online casino platforms offering real-money internet gaming. Oversight would have been provided by the Arkansas Racing Commission, which currently regulates gambling operations in the state.
In addition to legalising traditional iGaming platforms, HB1861 also aimed to address the murky legal status of sweepstakes-based casinos. These dual-currency platforms operate in a regulatory grey area, often using virtual currency to skirt traditional gambling definitions. The bill would have limited their operation to officially licensed entities, tightening the state’s control over emerging forms of online gambling.
Despite initial support from some stakeholders, the legislative effort quickly lost momentum.
Political opposition stalls momentum
The bill’s downfall hints at deeper political resistance to online gambling within Arkansas’s leadership. In March, Senate President Pro Tempore Bart Hester publicly declared that HB1861 had no realistic path forward, citing limited legislative support.
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Attorney General Tim Griffin have also voiced firm opposition to online casino expansion. Their influence proved decisive, with insiders suggesting that executive resistance played a key role in convincing legislators to abandon the bill.
As Governor, Sanders holds veto power and significant sway over the state’s legislative priorities. Her term runs through January 2027, and she has already announced plans to seek re-election in 2026. Griffin’s tenure as attorney general coincides with hers, and he, too, is eligible for re-election.
Given their entrenched positions on the matter, any similar proposals are unlikely to gain traction until at least the next gubernatorial cycle.
Not dead, just delayed?
While HB1861 is off the table for 2025, the House Judiciary Committee has recommended that the proposal undergo further study ahead of the 2026 session. This move signals a recognition among lawmakers that online gambling merits deeper analysis, even if there’s currently no appetite for immediate reform.
Outlook for online gambling in Arkansas
With the current legislative session set to end on 11 April, any further movement on the iGaming front will have to wait. The issue remains politically contentious, with strong executive resistance and a divided legislature.
For now, Arkansas remains firmly in the camp of states resistant to online casino legalisation, despite rising consumer interest and pressure from gaming operators.
