State Petition for Digital Raffle to Finance Arkansas Razorbacks Athletes Collectively
Arkansas' Proposed NIL Raffle and iGaming Expansion Remain Stalled
Arkansas has been exploring the possibility of expanding its gaming industry, with a particular focus on online casino gaming and Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) programs for college athletics. However, efforts to legalize online casino gaming, including slot machines and table games like blackjack and roulette, have so far stalled in the Arkansas legislature.
The University of Arkansas' NIL collective, Arkansas Edge, has stepped forward with a proposal to operate an online 50/50 raffle. This proposed expansion of gaming could represent a major change and should not be rushed into without understanding its impact on the state. Arkansas Edge isn't a 503(c)(3) charitable group, and Arkansas Racing Commission (ARC) permission is required to amend its rules to permit electronic 50/50 raffles.
Saracen Casino Resort in Jefferson County's Pine Bluff has shown support for the online raffle initiative, offering to lend its Bet Saracen Sportsbook for the venture. Bet Saracen already has geofencing technology and Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols in place for online sports bets, which would be beneficial for the raffle's operation.
Operating the online raffle would require Arkansas Edge to partner with a geolocation technology service provider like GeoComply. Saracen leaders have recommended altering the definition of "interactive gaming" to include "a NIL drawing game conducted through an electronic device or machine to benefit a Name, Image, Likeness collective."
However, Arkansas Racing Commission Secretary Jim Hudson isn't sold on the proposed NIL raffle, stating that it is not authorized under existing Arkansas law and cannot be implemented with just a rule change. The state's Charitable Bingo and Raffles Act requires that bingo games and raffles be tied to charitable organizations that have been recognized by the state for a minimum of five years.
As of now, Arkansas permits legal retail (land-based) casino gaming and online sports betting but does not currently authorize real money online casino games. Sweepstakes-style online gaming platforms operate in Arkansas as alternatives to real money iGaming, allowed under a different regulatory model.
In 2024 and early 2025, bills such as HB1861 and SB524 aimed to legalize online real money casino gaming, but these proposals have not advanced out of committee hearings or been passed into law as of mid-2025. The momentum to legalize online casinos including iGaming remains slowed, with no immediate legislative change expected.
In summary, while Arkansas has seriously considered legalizing iGaming, including slots and table games, these proposals have not passed into law as of mid-2025 and remain stalled in the legislature. The proposed NIL raffle faces challenges due to its lack of authorization under existing Arkansas law.
[1]: [Source 1] [2]: [Source 2] [3]: [Source 3] [4]: [Source 4]
- The proposed NIL raffle, aimed at benefiting college athletes' Name, Image, Likeness, continues to face challenges, as it is not currently authorized under existing Arkansas law.
- Despite efforts to expand into online casino gaming, Arkansas has yet to pass any laws legalizing real money online casino games, including slots and table games like blackjack and roulette.
- Arkansas Edge, the university's NIL collective, has proposed operating an online 50/50 raffle, but the venture requires the Arkansas Racing Commission's (ARC) permission and a partnership with a geolocation technology service provider.
- Saracen Casino Resort shows support for the NIL raffle and is ready to lend its Bet Saracen Sportsbook for the venture, utilizing its existing geofencing technology and Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols.
- Operating the online raffle would involve altering the definition of "interactive gaming" to cover "a NIL drawing game conducted through an electronic device or machine to benefit a Name, Image, Likeness collective."
- Arkansas allows legal retail (land-based) casino gaming and online sports betting, but sweeps-style online gaming platforms operate as an alternative to real money iGaming under a different regulatory model.
- Despite several proposals to legalize online real money casino gaming over the past year, HB1861 and SB524 among them, the momentum for iGaming remains slow, with no immediate legislative change expected.
- Politics and general news, including sports news like football, have covered the ongoing debate surrounding iGaming and the proposed NIL raffle extensively, with reporters questioning the state's approach to casino-and-gambling regulations and the implications for charitable gaming.[1]: [Link to news article about proposed NIL raffle] [2]: [Link to news article about stalled iGaming legislation] [3]: [Link to news article about Saracen Casino supporting raffle proposal] [4]: [Link to legal analysis of online gaming in Arkansas]
