Rep. Matt Duffield, the bill’s sponsor, pulled House Bill 1861 (HB1861) from the House Judiciary Committee’s agenda ahead of its scheduled hearing, effectively halting its progression for the current legislative session.

The corresponding Senate bill, SB524, sponsored by Senator Dave Wallace, was similarly withdrawn just one day after its introduction.

Had it advanced, the legislation would have allowed the state’s three land-based casinos — currently operating in Hot Springs, Pine Bluff, and West Memphis — to launch online casino platforms.

These platforms would have offered real-money internet gaming under the supervision of the Arkansas Racing Commission, the regulatory body that oversees gambling in the state.

Additionally, the bill sought to clarify the legal status of sweepstakes-style gaming platforms, which typically operate using a dual-currency model to avoid classification as traditional gambling. HB1861 would have restricted sweepstakes casinos to formally licensed operators within the state.

Despite the withdrawal, the issue is not entirely off the table. The House Judiciary Committee has recommended that the proposal be studied further before the next legislative session, signalling the potential for renewed debate in 2026.

This suggests that while support for immediate passage is lacking, lawmakers recognise the need for more in-depth consideration of the policy implications surrounding online gambling.

Political differences at heart of bill’s demise

Political opposition has proven to be one of the most significant barriers to the bill’s advancement.

In March, Senate President Pro Tempore Bart Hester indicated there was no realistic path for the bill to receive the necessary legislative support.

Sen. Hester, who sits on influential committees such as Senate Revenue and Taxation, made it clear that the appetite for online gaming expansion in the Arkansas legislature was minimal.

Moreover, both Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Attorney General Tim Griffin oppose online casino legalisation. Their resistance further diminishes the possibility of any similar legislation passing in the near term.

In Arkansas, the governor holds veto power and wields substantial influence over the legislative agenda, while the attorney general plays a key role in interpreting and enforcing gaming regulations.

​Gov. Sanders’ current term is set to end on 12 January 2027, having assumed office as the 47th Governor of Arkansas on 10 January 2023. She has already announced her intention to seek re-election in 2026.

Griffin’s term coincides with that of the governor. He is also eligible for re-election.

iGaming bills failing across the US

The collapse of HB1861 marks the second failed legislative attempt this year to address sweepstakes-related gaming provisions through broader gambling reform.

In Mississippi, a bill with strong bipartisan support failed after Representative Casey Eure added language to include provisions for online sports betting, ultimately derailing the effort.

That bill had initially been focused on regulating sweepstakes parlours and internet cafés that operate in a legal grey area.

Unlike those bills, HB1861 was not primarily focused on sweepstakes gaming.

Instead, it included provisions related to both real-money online casinos and dual-currency sweepstakes platforms, indicating a comprehensive approach to modernising Arkansas’s gambling laws.

Recently, new legislation targeting sweepstakes operations was introduced in Louisiana, reflecting a broader national interest in addressing the rise of dual-currency gaming platforms and their legal ambiguity.

Despite increasing interest among stakeholders in expanding online gambling options — including operators and consumer advocates — the current political climate in Arkansas remains firmly opposed.

The combination of legislative resistance and executive opposition suggests that meaningful changes to the state’s gaming framework are unlikely until at least the next legislative cycle.

With the current legislative session ending on 11 April, any further discussion will have to wait.