Last updated: May 01, 2024
Saracen Casino Resort in Arkansas petitions for changes to state regulations to allow online gambling expansion beyond sports betting. The move aims to combat illegal offshore gambling and increase state revenue by over $20 million, benefiting various sectors, including local racing clubs and county libraries.
The Arkansas casino would love to add more options to the current game lists with the formal filing of the petition to Arkansas regulatory. The marketing department’s principal of the Saracen Casino Resort, Carlton Saffa, has come to advocate changes in the gaming state’s commissioner, Mr. Alex Bliebong.
Presently, sport betting in casinos is the only game that Arkansas casinos can offer online, while blackjacks, craps, and slot machines must remain on the existing platform. The last word here lies in the Commission’s prospect, and if this is approved, it will lead to the expansion of online gaming selections in all the casinos of Arkansas. Saffa was, however, very keen on the local facilities to be allowed the merit of introducing internet-based poker and slot machines. This measure is seen to enhance the number of “white-listed games”.
The solution that considers an appeal to the Racing Commission in Arkansas has many positions that appropriately correspond with the present circumstances. One of the main incentives is curbing offshore casinos involved in illegal gambling dealings, as Saffa has said. He offers the option of adding games to Rule 5 aside to provide the potential users with the remedy as per the virtue of the court decision of these foreign sites and the potential of involving minors in wagering.
First, acceptance of this petition by the commission might prove to be a huge revenue earner for the state. As said in the Saracen Casino Resort manager’s opinion, approval of this proposal could contribute some $20 million to Arkansas’ revenue, of which $12 million is gaming tax revenue. Furthermore, about $3.7 million is indicated to become Pine Bluff and Jefferson County, while $5.6 million has been earmarked for the Oaklawn Jockey Club.
In his closing remarks, Saffa emphasized that the financial projections are estimates for the upcoming year. He also highlighted the potential of online gaming to effectively identify and address problem gambling without impacting the patronage of land-based venues. Saffa’s statement was reinforced in an independent report to Gambling.com, where he mentioned his scheduled appearance before the racing commission on May 6.
However, the Department of Finance and Administration has yet to disclose the agenda for the meeting, leaving it unclear what issues will be addressed.
Recent Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration data indicates positive trends in the state’s gambling industry. Last month, Arkansas collected $50.03 million in sports wagers, representing a $13 million increase from March 2023. Additionally, $3.9 million was wagered at casinos, with the remaining $46 million placed through casino apps, resulting in $510,000 in tax revenue for the state.
Will is a former Grosvenor croupier who relocated to Chicago from London in 2013. Not only is he a highly skilled poker player, but he is also an expert in the art of deception, gambling cons, and the world of crypto. Now he uses his knowledge and experience to write and edit detailed reviews of online casinos in a bid to help players avoid online scams and losing their money to rogue gambling sites.
