Sports betting rule on hold for 'questions' ➢ Gambling ➢ BFN UK

The state Racing Commission held a brief meeting today to change a few words in a rule that would allow the casinos in Arkansas to offer sports betting on mobile phones.

The rule change changes the phrase “net gaming revenue” to “net casino gaming receipts.” The change was prompted by questions raised by national bookmaking operations that objected to the rule’s requirement that the casinos keep 50 percent of the net. The national bookmakers are accustomed to getting 85 to 95 percent of the net when they strike deals to provide online gambling platforms for casinos.  The word change won’t affect the 50 percent requirement. The commission approved the change with no discussion after hearing their attorney explain the difference was meaningless legally. In either case it refers to the wagering net to casinos after paying off winning wagers, but before any operating costs.

The change was done on an emergency basis so it would be completed in time for the legislature’s review of the rule tomorrow. The rule change is no longer expected to be brought up tomorrow by the Legislative Council’s review committee. Lobbyists for national bookmakers have been working to delay the rule. The Racing Commission is under the Department of Finance and Administration, an agency controlled by the governor. He has previously been supportive of allowing mobile wagering through casinos, which already may accept such bets on premises.

Scott Hardin, a spokesman for DFA, said this about the delay in final approval of the rule:

The Racing Commission today requested the rules be held and considered at the next ALC meeting vs this week.

This additional time will allow several questions to be addressed that were recently raised by legislators and others.

The Commission understands the word change approved today, although small, also results in additional questions.

The state could still see mobile sports betting launched by March if ALC approves.

I’m seeking some further information about what the other questions are. Since the questions to date have arisen chiefly from lobbyists for national bookmakers, I’d say they are getting some traction, perhaps with the governor.

Hardin elaborated:

While sports betting currently represents a small percentage of overall casino play,the level of interest in the possibility of mobile sports betting has been significant since the rule change was first discussed.

This continues today with questions regarding the need to approve a word change to ensure consistency between the rule and Amendment 100.

Additionally, questions have been received regarding the technology that will be utilized within these apps.

The questions are easily answered. However,  moving to the next meeting allows for an open discussion without a sense of urgency.

At least one legislator has questioned whether limits can be put in place to be sure those using the betting apps are actually only in Arkansas. Experts say they can.

The governor said:

There have been concerns expressed by numerous legislators about the late change in the language of the rules for mobile sports betting. The change does not appear to be significant but in fairness it made sense to consider the rules in regular order at the next meeting.

If Hardin’s prediction is correct, you can forget about making a legal Super Bowl bet on a cell phone in Arkansas. The game is Feb. 13. That’s one of the biggest betting events of the year.

UPDATE: A comment from Saracen Casino  in Pine Bluff:

The Saracen team was prepared to speak in favor of the rule allowing mobile sports wagering; we had hoped to have this authorization before the Super Bowl.  We planned to have subject matter experts as well as vendors representing state-of-the-art technology on hand to address any questions members may have had.  We look forward to addressing the issue next month and are optimistic that, just as the Racing Commission passed the mobile wagering rules 7-0, the Legislative Council will be supportive.  Mobile wagering has broad support and is something Arkansans ask us for daily.