Arkansas only recently approved sports gambling after a somewhat contentious battle and the state has already begun to receive its first bets. This past Monday, the General Manager of the Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort, Wayne Smith, placed the first ceremonial bet in order to officially launch the activity and the Hot Springs venue is now ready for state gamblers to start placing their bets.

[Image credit: Wikimedia Commons]

Two venues are eligible to offer sports gambling in Arkansas – Oaklawn and Southland Casino Racing in West Memphis. Both previously operated as just racetracks, but an amendment was approved by state residents last November that made changes to the constitution that allows them to offer casino-style games and a sportsbook. That same amendment also allows two other casinos to be built, one in Pope County and the other in Jefferson County.

Oaklawn is the first to offer a sportsbook, its newly remodeled Race & Sports Book. The venue was granted approval by the Arkansas Racing Commission last month to launch sports gambling as of July 1 and it was ready as soon as the clock reached the new day. Wagers can be placed on a variety of sports competitions, including the big leagues, the NCAA, the Olympics and more.