Is There Gambling In Hot Springs Arkansas
Introduction to Arkansas Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020
Take yourself back to the days of the 20's, 30's, and 40's when mineral water, gambling, bootlegging, and other extreme pleasures brought visitors from all over the world to Hot Springs, Arkansas. Gambling could soon expand in Arkansas as two state race tracks are expected to go live with full-scale casino offering on April 1. A meeting of the state Racing Commission taking place today has starting the process for licensing Oaklawn Racing & Gaming in Hot Springs and Southland Park Gaming and Racing in West Memphis into full-fledged. Though illegal, and a felony under Arkansas law, gambling was no secret to the majority of local authorities. Police officers, judges, and even the mayor turned a blind eye to the industry and to the high-rolling gangsters who enjoyed partaking in Hot Springs's favorite vice.
Arkansas slot machine casino gambling consists of two casinos with racetracks and Class II skill-based gaming machines.
I’ve dedicated this weekly series to slot enthusiasts such as yourself as you master casino slots and win your way to success by using this State-By-State Online Resource to improve your slots gambling performance by reviewing your state’s slots gaming industry.
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Relevant Legal Statutes on Gambling in Arkansas*
The minimum legal gambling age in Arkansas depends upon the gambling activity:
- Land-Based Casinos: 21
- Poker Rooms: 21
- Bingo: 18
- Lottery: 18
- Pari-Mutuel Wagering: 18
State law allows Class II skill-based gaming machines, but only if approved by local municipalities.
The competition-style slot machines must have some element of skill included with the device. However, in Arkansas, this decision-making feature on a secondary screen is often unused by players. The primary game theme played is often a Vegas-style game-of-chance.
The state legislature permitted skill-based gaming machines at Arkansas’ two racetracks with Act 1151 of 2005, the Local Option Horse Racing and Greyhound Racing Electronic Games of Skill Act.
Further, the Governor legalized the state’s tribes through negotiated tribal-state compacts to offer slot machines on their reservations in 1993. However, their proposed tribal casinos are not yet open.
Slot Machine Private Ownership in Arkansas
All slot machines are legal to own privately.
Gaming Control Board in Arkansas
The Arkansas state gaming commission is the Electronic Games of Skill Section within the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA). The Section is responsible for gaming regulation and compliance of skill-based games in Arkansas.
Casinos in Arkansas
Arkansas has two commercial casinos and two proposed American Indian tribal casinos.
The largest casino in Arkansas is Southland Park Gaming & Racing in West Memphis with over 2,000 gaming machines.
The second-largest casino is Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in Hot Springs.
Both proposed tribal casinos, one in Russellville and the second in Pine Bluff, will become the two largest casinos upon opening as they are both slightly larger than Arkansas’ existing casinos.
Commercial Casinos in Arkansas
The two commercial casinos in Arkansas are:
- Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in Hot Springs, 57 miles southwest of Little Rock.
- Southland Park Gaming & Racing in West Memphis, 132 miles east and north of Little Rock on the eastern state border near the Mississippi River.
These pari-mutuel wagering facilities with skill-based slot machines have a rich history going back over 100 years.
Tribal Casinos in Arkansas
The one proposed tribal casino in Arkansas without ongoing legal obstructions is:
- River Valley Casino Resort in Russellville, 78 miles northwest of Little Rock.
Other Gambling Establishments
As an alternative to enjoying Arkansas slot machine casino gambling, consider exploring casino options in a nearby state. Bordering Arkansas is:
- North: Missouri Slots
- East: Mississippi Slots and Tennessee Slots
- South: Louisiana Slots
- Southwest: Texas Slots
Each of the links above will take you to my blog for that neighboring U.S. state to Arkansas.
Our Arkansas Slots Facebook Group
Are you interested in sharing and learning with other slots enthusiasts in Arkansas? If so, join our Arkansas slots community on Facebook. All you’ll need is a Facebook profile to freely join this closed Facebook Group community.
There, you can meet online and privately share your slots experiences with local slots enthusiasts about playing slot machines in Arkansas. Join us!
Is There Gambling In Hot Springs Arkansas
Payouts and Returns in Arkansas
The state legislature requires electronic games of skill have a minimum theoretical payout of 83% over the expected lifetime of the game. There is no maximum theoretical payout limit.
The Electronic Games of Skills Miscellaneous Tax section of the DFA provides the gaming machine revenues for machines at the dog and horse racetracks. These publicly available amounts are insufficient to calculate player win percentages.
Summary of Arkansas Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020
Is There Casinos In Hot Springs Arkansas
Arkansas slot machine casino gambling consists of two racetracks with gaming machines with a minimum theoretical payout limit of 83%.
Annual Progress in Arkansas Slot Machine Casino Gambling
In the last year, there has been little change to the slots industry in Arkansas outside of the current national crisis.
Related Posts from Professor Slots
Other States from Professor Slots
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Have fun, be safe, and make good choices!
By Jon H. Friedl, Jr. Ph.D., President
Jon Friedl, LLC