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State of Play’s TL;DR
- Calls to Arkansas’ problem gambling helpline are on the rise.
- At the same time, the state’s online sports betting market has been expanding.
Arkansas’ problem gambling helpline took 4,520 calls in the first six months of 2026, up 22.5% from the same period last year. The increase came as the state’s mobile sports betting market continued to expand, with handle reaching $450.9 million through June 30.
The new figures offer a sharp reminder that betting growth and responsible gambling pressure can rise at the same time.
Arkansas is now showing both sides of that equation: more mobile wagering activity and more people reaching out for help.
FanDuel and DraftKings entered the market in the spring
Vena Schexnayder, executive director of the Arkansas Problem Gambling Council, said the jump in calls can be attributed to “various increases in gambling marketing ads and the introduction of new gaming operators.”
FanDuel Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook began operating in Arkansas in the spring through partnerships with Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in Hot Springs and Southland Casino in West Memphis. Saracen Casino in Pine Bluff already offers its own mobile gaming app.
Sports betting has been legal in Arkansas since voters approved it in 2018. State lawmakers later approved mobile sports betting in February 2022, with online wagering required to run through one of the state’s three casinos.
Through June 30, the total mobile sports betting handle for those casinos reached $450.9 million, up 56% from the first six months of 2025. That growth gives Arkansas another data point in a broader US trend: as mobile betting becomes easier to access and major operators enter new markets, responsible gambling systems can face more demand.
What is not clear from the report is how many of the 4,520 calls were specifically tied to sports betting rather than other forms of gambling. The source also did not break down handle by casino or operator.
Based on reporting by Arkansas Business.
