Arkansans finally have access to a legal iOS sports betting app, as Betly Sportsbook launched its app Tuesday.
Betly, which is partnered with Southland Casino Racing, launched an online sports betting platform available on web browsers on March 5, but an iOS app wasn’t available until this week. Online sports betting became legal in Arkansas in March.
Android users can also use Betly in Arkansas, but it’s not yet available through the Google Play Store. Currently, Arkansas can access the Android app by downloading it directly from Betly.com.
Betly is powered by Gamewise, a joint venture of Southland Casino’s parent company Delaware North and sports betting partner Gaming1.
“It took a little time to work through the respective app store processes, but now the Betly.com app is readily available for download, so everyone in Arkansas who wants to can have fun with ongoing pro basketball playoffs and other wagering opportunities,” Luisa Woods, vice president of marketing for Delaware North’s gaming division, said in a statement.
Arkansans still waiting for BetSaracen
While Southland Casino has now delivered an iOS app to the market, Arkansas bettors are still waiting for BetSaracen to launch. BetSaracen, the online betting platform of Saracen Casino Resort, was expected to launch before March Madness. The casino failed to meet that self-imposed goal, and it’s unclear when the platform will launch in any capacity.
Saracen Casino has also yet to release a web-browser version of its betting platform.
When BetSaracen’s Twitter account posted about its partnership with Arkansas State University on April 24, followers were quick to respond with frustration. The post showed an image of a BetSaracen logo at the Arkansas State football spring game.
When will app be live
April +3000
May +1800
June +1200
July +500
August +200
September -140— JW (@Investments79) April 25, 2022
“Right next to the ad for ‘Bigfoot fur groomers’ since both don’t exist,” one Twitter user wrote.
“All the marketing and zero use of the product!” another person posted.
Potential BetSaracen customers are frustrated with the lack of updates from Saracen Casino, as executives were frequently sharing potential launch timelines in February and March. Now, after failing to launch in March and the calendar almost reaching May, Saracen Casino executives and the BetSaracen social feeds are much quieter.
While the wait continues for BetSaracen, Betly remains the only legal online sports betting option live in Arkansas. Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort has said it plans to launch its online sports betting platform in the third quarter of 2022.
