A homegrown approach
CREATING A STAND-OUT EXPERIENCE IN ARKANSAS AS MORE STATES CONTINUE
to legalise sports betting, we shine a spotlight on Arkansas and how local partnerships can help pave the way for growth in this market BY CRAIG DAVIES
B
ack in March, Arkansas was one of the latest states to join the legal sports betting club. So as more companies eye up new opportunities in the Natural State, what can operators and suppliers do to stand
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out from the competition? Speaking to SBC Leaders, Brandon Walker, Head of Amelco USA, and Victor Araneda, Chief Business Development Officer of GAMING1, discuss the competitive opportunities and regulatory challenges within Arkansas before highlighting the importance of local partnerships. SBC: How would you assess the licensing structure within the Arkansas market? What competitive advantages, or disadvantages, does it possess when compared to other states? BW: Arkansas has taken a unique homegrown approach and it will certainly create an innovative playing field for their casinos. As of now, there are currently three casinos in the state of Arkansas, with one more being built.
In theory, each of these casinos have been granted two licences – allowing for eight joint ventures of their choice with online platform and sportsbook suppliers to power their operations. I suspect, however, that not all these casinos will be making use of their second licence as they’d like to keep the first for market share. When it comes to competitive advantage, this means that we have the ability to flex our muscles when it comes to what we
ARKANSAS HAS TAKEN A UNIQUE HOMEGROWN APPROACH AND IT WILL CERTAINLY CREATE AN INNOVATIVE PLAYING FIELD FOR THEIR CASINOS
