Arkansas casino pursuing online gambling, requests regulation
An Arkansas casinos is looking to double down on its gaming options through a request to state regulators to allow online gambling.
Saracen Casino Resort marketing manager Carlton Saffa has written to state Racing Commission chairman Alex Lieblong asking for a rule change. Currently, an Arkansas casino is allowed to offer online sports betting, but games such as slots, blackjack and craps live dealer must be played in the casino.
If the racing commission approves Saffa’s request, all three existing Arkansas casinos would be able to offer this expanded online gaming. In his letter, Saffa asserts that casinos are currently able to offer online poker and card games and is asking the commission to add other already authorized games.
Saffa argues that approving additional games would combat illegal offshore dual-currency casinos that advertise unregulated online gaming.
“Most importantly, amending Rule 5 [to add additional games] would provide a legitimate alternative to those already imposing their products onto Arkansas consumers, without regard for your standards of operation and without regard to your rules regarding minors placing bets,” Saffa said in the letter.