Find Your Favorite Arkansas Casinos and Resorts 2026

Arkansas is home to three full-service casino resorts, each offering a distinct experience ranging from historic thoroughbred racing to one of the most ambitious new resort developments in the region. All three properties offer slots, live table games, poker, and sports betting alongside hotel accommodations.

• Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort, Hot Springs - One of America's most storied horse racing venues, Oaklawn has been hosting thoroughbred racing since 1904 and has evolved into a full-service casino resort offering over 1,400 slot machines, 31 table games, a poker room, and the Oaklawn Sports sportsbook. The 198-room hotel is home to the Astral Spa, Arkansas's only Forbes four-star rated spa, making Oaklawn one of the most complete resort experiences in the state.
• Saracen Casino Resort, Pine Bluff - Owned by the Quapaw Nation and operated as a commercial casino resort licensed by the Arkansas Racing Commission, Saracen has recently completed a landmark $250 million expansion. The resort now offers over 1,500 slot machines, 30+ table games, a dedicated poker room, the BetSaracen sportsbook, and a newly opened 320-room hotel with a 1,600-seat event center - firmly establishing Pine Bluff as a genuine casino resort destination.
• Southland Casino Hotel, West Memphis - Located just across the Mississippi River from Memphis, Tennessee, Southland is Arkansas's largest casino by gaming floor, offering over 2,300 slot machines, 54 table games, a poker room, and the Betly sportsbook. The property was formerly a greyhound racing track, with live racing discontinued in 2022.

Arkansas quietly delivers one of the more impressive casino experiences in the south-central United States. With three full-service resorts offering slots, live table games, poker, sports betting, and hotel accommodations, first-time visitors are often pleasantly surprised by the quality and variety on offer.

Arrival & Entry 

Bring valid photo ID - all Arkansas casino operators require guests to meet minimum age requirements to access gaming floors. On arrival at all three properties you'll be invited to sign up for a player rewards card, which tracks your play and earns points redeemable for dining, hotel stays, and other benefits. Each property operates its own rewards programme so it's worth signing up at each venue you visit.

Slot Machines 

All three Arkansas casinos offer impressive slot floors, with Southland leading the way with over 2,300 machines - one of the largest gaming floors in the region. Whether you're a penny slot player or prefer higher stakes machines, all three properties cater to a wide range of budgets and preferences.

Table Games 

Live table games including blackjack, roulette, and craps are available at all three properties. Southland offers the most tables with 54, followed by Saracen with 30+ and Oaklawn with 31. If you're new to table games, dealers at all three properties are generally happy to walk first-timers through the basics, and lower minimum tables are usually available during quieter periods.

Poker Rooms 

All three Arkansas casinos offer dedicated poker rooms, which is a genuinely impressive provision for a three-casino state. Unlike other table games where you play against the house, poker pits you against fellow players, making for a very different and often more social experience.

Gambling Beyond Arkansas

Arkansas's three casino resorts are well spread across the state, but if you find yourself near a state border there are some worthwhile options just across the line worth knowing about.

• Oklahoma - One of the most extensive tribal casino networks in the United States, with several properties sitting just minutes from the Arkansas border. The Choctaw Casino in Pocola is barely 20 miles from Fort Smith, making it a practical option for western Arkansas residents and visitors. [Link to Oklahoma page]
• Mississippi - For visitors in the eastern part of the state, particularly around West Memphis, Mississippi's impressive casino landscape is within easy reach. The Tunica casino cluster just across the state line is one of the most concentrated gaming destinations in the southeastern United States. [Link to Mississippi page]
• Missouri - Northern Arkansas residents have 13 riverboat-style casino properties to choose from just across the border, ranging from Kansas City to St. Louis and beyond. [Link to Missouri page]

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Sports Betting 

Arkansas was an early adopter of in-person sports betting, and all three properties have dedicated sportsbook areas. Oaklawn operates the Oaklawn Sports sportsbook, Saracen operates BetSaracen, and Southland operates Betly. Each offers betting on a wide range of sporting events, and the dedicated sportsbook areas at all three properties are well appointed.

Horse Racing 

Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in Hot Springs is the standout destination for racing fans, having hosted thoroughbred racing continuously since 1904. Live racing takes place during the winter and spring season, drawing some of the finest horses and jockeys in the country. Even outside of live racing season, Oaklawn's racing heritage permeates the entire resort experience and is well worth factoring into your visit.

Taking a Break 

All three properties offer multiple dining options and full hotel accommodations, making them well suited to overnight stays. Oaklawn's Astral Spa is particularly noteworthy as Arkansas's only Forbes four-star rated spa - a genuine luxury amenity that sets it apart from many casino resorts in the region. Saracen's newly opened 320-room hotel and 1,600-seat event center meanwhile make Pine Bluff a surprisingly compelling overnight destination.

The Fourth Casino - A Note 

It is worth noting that Arkansas was granted a fourth casino license for Pope County, subsequently contested and revoked by voters in November 2024. Cherokee Nation Entertainment has filed a legal challenge contesting that decision. We will update this page if and when the situation is resolved, but for now Arkansas remains a three-casino state.

A visit to one of Arkansas's casino resorts should be an enjoyable experience from start to finish. If gambling is becoming less of a leisure activity and more of a concern, free and confidential support is available around the clock through the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

All three Arkansas casino operators offer voluntary self-exclusion programmes administered through the Arkansas Racing Commission, allowing individuals to formally exclude themselves from all licensed casino properties in the state. Details are available directly from any of the three properties or through the Arkansas Racing Commission website.

A few sensible habits go a long way: set yourself a budget before you arrive and stick to it, only ever gamble with money you can comfortably afford to lose, and remember that the resort amenities at all three properties make it easy to step away from the gaming floor and enjoy a meal, a spa treatment, or a live event whenever you need a break.

The information provided on this page is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. It does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice of any kind. While we strive to keep all information accurate and up to date, casino regulations, gaming offerings, and venue details are subject to change and we recommend verifying current information directly with individual properties before your visit.

Arkansas's casino landscape is currently subject to ongoing developments, including the unresolved fourth casino license situation in Pope County. For authoritative and current information on gambling regulation in Arkansas, please refer to the Arkansas Racing Commission directly.

For guidance on the tax treatment of gambling winnings, please consult a qualified tax professional or refer to the IRS and Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration websites directly. You must meet the age requirements set by casino operators to participate in gaming activities. Please gamble responsibly.