Bill > HB1861

This bill creates the Interactive Gaming Act to regulate online gambling and sports betting in Arkansas, making the unauthorized operation of an online casino or sports betting platform a Class D felony. The legislation expands the definition of "keeping a gambling house" to include online platforms that offer games like casino-style gaming, lottery games, and sports wagering using a dual-currency payment system. The bill establishes comprehensive rules for interactive gaming, requiring casino licensees to obtain approval from the Arkansas Racing Commission for their gaming systems, which must meet specific technical standards. It allows for name, image, and likeness (NIL) drawing games that benefit collegiate athletic programs, with proceeds split between the NIL collective and the winning participant. The bill mandates strict internal controls, including monthly reporting of live gaming personnel, provisions for dormant gaming accounts, and requirements for verifying user identities. An emergency clause is included, emphasizing the need to protect citizens from unregulated online gambling and support economic development through regulated interactive gaming platforms. The legislation aims to create a controlled environment for online gambling while providing new financial opportunities for collegiate athletic programs.

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https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?id=hb1861&ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025R