Arkansas Sports Betting Jumped Nearly $100 Million in 2025
Arkansas families wagered $655 million on sports betting in 2025, a troubling increase of $98 million from the previous year, according to new figures from the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration.
The 17.6% spike in sports betting is far ahead the state’s overall economic growth. While state officials celebrate the additional tax revenue, the numbers reveal Arkansans are being drawn into a predatory form of gambling that experts warn can be highly addictive.
Gambling addiction destroys lives and families. The false promise of easy money leads to real problems. Studies indicate people who gamble on sports may be twice as likely to suffer from gambling problems. Upwards of 20 million men are in debt or have been in debt as a result of sports betting.
And research now shows that the legalization of sports betting may be linked to serious financial problems in America — such as credit card debt, overdrafts, late payments on loans, lower credit scores, and higher bankruptcy rates. That hurts more than just the gamblers who wager on sporting events. It hurts their families and their communities.
Over the past year, the NCAA Committee on Infractions has uncovered a troubling pattern of sports betting violations involving student-athletes and staff members at different universities. It’s now almost routine for the NCAA to announce player suspensions for students-athletes who colluded to bet on one another. Basketball players may scheme to help each other win bets by, for example, missing free throws or scoring fewer points than expected in some games.
For example, at San Francisco, a basketball player provided inside information to a player at a different school who was betting on his performance through daily fantasy platforms.
Temple University’s men’s basketball program saw three separate gambling violations from 2022 to 2024.
In January, federal authorities announced indictments against in connection with an alleged bribery and point-shaving scheme to fix NCAA basketball games.
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. Family Council is calling on all Arkansans to do what they can to stand up against predatory sports betting.
Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.
Plaque in Minnesota Capitol Thanks Governor for “Allowing the Spread of Satanism”
A satanic plaque displayed in the Minnesota State Capitol is thanking Governor Tim Walz for “allowing the spread of Satanism.”
The plaque, from a group calling itself the “Democrat Coalition of Satan Worshippers,” reads: “The Democrat Coalition of Satan Worshippers thanks Gov. Tim Walz for not standing in the way of spreading Satanism in the state Capitol building. Satan has a special place for you.”
CBN reports Minnesota State Representative Pam Altendorf discovered the display on the ground floor of the Capitol building and shared video of it on social media. The plaque was originally installed last April and was supposed to be temporary. However, the plaque has remained in place.
This isn’t the first time satanic groups have targeted government buildings with controversial displays. The Satanic Temple, for example, has a long history of stirring up controversy around the the country — including in Arkansas.
In 2023, the Satanic Temple placed pro-abortion billboards across Arkansas claiming “Abortions Save Lives.” The group has also opposed Arkansas’ Ten Commandments monument at the State Capitol and even parked a 7½-foot statue of the satanic figure baphomet on a trailer in front of the Arkansas Capitol Building in 2018 after state leaders refused to place the statue on the Capitol lawn permanently.
Arkansans should be grateful that our state leaders have consistently stood against satanic displays like the one in Minnesota. Arkansas has maintained strong protections for religious liberty while refusing to yield to groups that simply want to mock and offend. That is something we should not take for granted.
Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.