DraftKings and FanDuel launched in Arkansas on Friday, which is great news for sports bettors looking to bet on the Razorbacks in this year’s NCAA Tournament.
Key Takeaways
- Both DraftKings and FanDuel secured licenses in Arkansas last month.
- DraftKings partnered with Southland Casino Hotel, while FanDuel tied the knot with Oaklawn Racing Casino.
- The sportsbooks’ mobile apps are ready to capitalize on March Madness.
Arkansas sports betting has been legal for more than three years. It has taken this long, however, for the two market leading brands to find the right resident casino match. DraftKings is now partnered with Southland Casino Hotel.
Arkansas 🤝 DraftKings
— DraftKings Sportsbook (@DKSportsbook) March 20, 2026
We’re officially LIVE in The Natural State! pic.twitter.com/Qar4htU62g
Meanwhile, FanDuel has joined forces with Oaklawn Racing Casino.
WELCOME ABOARD, ARKANSAS ❤️
— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) March 20, 2026
In partnership with our friends @Oaklawn_Sports, WE ARE LIVE! 🤑
Get started: https://t.co/DH7AaRfC3Z pic.twitter.com/OcvV16OMVA
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Razorbacks take on Cinderella
The Arkansas Racing and Gaming Commission granted licenses to DraftKings and FanDuel in February. Both sportsbooks launched their services Friday, just in time for the March Madness contest Saturday between Arkansas and one of this year’s Cinderella teams, High Point. The Panthers upset 5-seed Wisconsin in the first round.
Arkansas handily beat Hawaii 97-78 in their first-round matchup. Razorbacks head coach John Calipari, however, wasn’t resting on his laurels.
"I'll be walking the streets of Portland tonight enjoying this, but I've got three tapes that I got to watch of High Point,” Calipari said, according to the Southwest Times Record. “They're good. Wisconsin found out they are good, and they're not afraid."
Predictably, the Razorbacks are favorites against High Point. But the real winner will be the state’s betting handle. Without the two largest national brands, Arkansas’ per capita sports betting revenue was the lowest of any mobile sports betting jurisdiction. After Friday’s dual launch, that should significantly change.
