Sportsbook FAQs

FAQs: Sports Betting in Arkansas

Is sports betting legal in Arkansas?

Arkansas is one of the states with legal sports betting. The state legalized sportsbooks in July 2019, allowing residents to bet on in-state teams on-site at licensed casinos and racetracks—including Saracen Casino Resort!

How does sports betting work?

When you boil it down, sports betting is just a wager placed on the outcome of a sporting event. Sports bets can be placed on something simple (e.g., which team will win the game) or more complex (e.g., how many points will a player have by halftime) but the basics never change: If your bet is correct, you win money based on the amount you wagered and the odds of the bet. Check out our Sportsbook Rules for details about how sports betting works for football, basketball, and other sports.

What do the + and - signs mean in sports betting?

Depending on context, the plus (+) and minus (-) signs in sports betting can refer to either a) the moneyline betting odds for a matchup or b) the points spread.

As an example of moneyline betting odds, imagine a game between the Arkansas Razorbacks and Ole Miss Rebels. The Razorbacks have been having a stellar season, and the oddsmakers deem them big favorites. In this imaginary scenario, let’s say the moneyline odds are set at:

• Razorbacks (-150)
• Rebels (+150)

With $100 riding on this game, you can bet the Razorbacks as a -150 favorite to win or the Rebels as +150 underdogs to win. If you bet on the Razorbacks and they win, you would come away with $166.70 because the odds were in your favor. Likewise, if you bet on the Rebels and they win, you would net $250 because they were underdogs.

You will also see plus and minus signs associated with the points spread for a game. For example, the Razorbacks could be a -14 point favorite to beat the Rebels. Or the Rebels could be +14 point underdogs for the game. In that case, if you bet the Razorbacks -14 and they win by more than 14 points, you win the bet. Or if you bet the Rebels +14, if they lose by less than 14 points (or if they win) you win the bet. 

How do sports betting odds work?

At Saracen Casino Resort, we use American odds (also known as moneyline odds). American sports betting odds work differently based on whether you’re betting on a favorite or an underdog, but both types of bets revolve around a crisp $100 bill. 

If you’re betting on a favorite (represented with a minus sign), American sports betting odds work by showing you the amount you need to wager in order to net $100 in winnings. For example, if you’re betting on a -130 favorite, that means you need to bet $130 in order to win $100 dollars in profit.

On the flip side, if you’re betting on an underdog (represented with a plus sign), American sports betting odds work by showing you the amount you’ll win for every $100 you wager. So if you’re betting on a +130 underdog, you stand to win $130 in profit if you wager $100. 

Of course, you don’t need to bet exactly $100 on every wager, that’s just how the odds and payout potential are displayed.

How can I bet on sports online in Arkansas?

Online sports betting was approved by the Arkansas Joint Budget Committee on February 22, 2022 and legalized in Arkansas on March 4, 2022. Get ready to bet on the game from anywhere in Arkansas with Mobile Sports Betting from the BetSaracen App. With Arkansas' premier new online gaming app, you can place online wagers while on the go. That means you'll never miss out on your chance to WIN!

Opt in NOW at BetSaracen.com to get emails or SMS texts with the latest updates on monthly Casino promotions and the coming launch announcement of Saracen's online sports betting app. 

How do I place a sports bet?

Placing a sports bet at Saracen Casino Resort couldn’t be easier. Visit one of our 16 kiosks or our knowledgeable sportsbook staff located at the windows right beside the 25-foot video wall playing all your favorite games and fights,  Legends Sports Bar is THE destination for all things sports betting in Arkansas. Grab a table, let us pour you a pint, and get in on the sports betting action!