Arkansas collected over $7 million in sports betting tax revenue in 2025, but the real cost to Arkansas families may be much higher.
Arkansas sports betting revenue is growing rapidly. According to the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, the state collected $7.229 million in tax revenue from sports betting between January and October of 2025 — up 28.1% from the same period in 2024. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports Arkansans wagered $655 million on sports betting last year.
But the tax revenue comes at a devastating cost to Arkansas families. The Arkansas Problem Gambling Council announced a 22% increase in calls for help with problem gambling in 2024, driven largely by sports betting.
The National Council on Problem Gambling reports that “the rate of gambling problems among sports bettors is at least twice as high as among gamblers in general.” When sports gambling is conducted online, the rate is even higher.
Research shows the hidden costs far exceed the tax benefits. The Northwestern University study found that for every dollar spent on sports betting, household investing falls by an average of $2. A UCLA study estimated that online sportsbooks are linked to an increase of roughly 30,000 more bankruptcies per year nationwide.
Arkansas families deserve better than trading their financial security for state tax revenue. The $7 million Arkansas collected in 2025 pales in comparison to the financial devastation that sports betting brings.
Sports betting is not a harmless pastime. As powerful corporations try to make gambling part of everyday life, it’s important for Arkansas to protect citizens and families from predatory gambling. Otherwise, problem gambling will simply hurt more and more people in our state.
Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.
