BetSaracen vs. DraftKings: Comparing Arkansas Sportsbooks
Arkansas bettors have seen a major shakeup in the state’s online sports betting market. Betly, the Southland Casino sportsbook that launched the state’s mobile market in 2022, shut down on March 20, 2026. That same day, DraftKings went live statewide under Southland’s license, and FanDuel launched in partnership with Oaklawn, replacing the Oaklawn Sports app.
That leaves BetSaracen, the in-house sportsbook from Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Bluff, as the only casino-branded app left in Arkansas. In this guide, we compare BetSaracen and DraftKings, the sportsbook that took Betly’s place, on welcome offers, sign-up, markets, apps and banking to help you decide where to bet.
BetSaracen vs. DraftKings welcome offers in Arkansas
Sports betting won voter approval in Arkansas in 2018, retail betting began in 2019 and mobile wagering followed in 2022. Every online sportsbook in the state operates through one of Arkansas’ three licensed casinos, under oversight from the Arkansas Racing Commission. To bet online, you must be 21 or older and physically located in Arkansas, which each app confirms through geolocation.
Here’s how the two sportsbooks’ welcome offers compare:
| Feature | BetSaracen | DraftKings |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome offer | Bet $25, Get $250 in Bonus Bets | Up to $1,200 in bonuses |
| Promo code | LSR250 | None needed |
| Casino partner | Saracen Casino Resort (Pine Bluff) | Southland Casino Hotel (West Memphis) |
| Bonus type | Bet and get | Bet and get |
| Available outside Arkansas | No | Yes, in many legal states |
Welcome offer terms, including minimum odds, bonus bet expiration and how bonuses are paid out, can change. See our BetSaracen bonus code and DraftKings promo code pages for the latest details.
Opening a BetSaracen or DraftKings account
You can open an account with either sportsbook, or both, in a few minutes.
Joining BetSaracen
- Get the BetSaracen app for iPhone or Android, or go to the BetSaracen website.
- Tap Register and fill in your personal details, including your name, email, date of birth, home address and partial Social Security number.
- Create a username and password, and enter the promo code LSR250 to claim the welcome offer.
- Allow location access so the app can confirm you’re in Arkansas.
- Fund your account and place a qualifying first bet of at least $25 to unlock your bonus bets once the wager settles.
Joining DraftKings
- Install the DraftKings Sportsbook app on your iPhone or Android device, or visit the DraftKings website.
- Choose Sign Up and enter your email address, then create a password.
- Add your legal name, date of birth, address, phone number and SSN digits for identity verification.
- Confirm your location in Arkansas through geolocation.
- Make a deposit and place your first qualifying bet to claim the current welcome offer. No promo code is required.
If you had a DraftKings account in another state, you can log in with the same credentials in Arkansas, though you may not be eligible for a new-customer welcome offer.
BetSaracen or DraftKings: Which Arkansas app fits you?
BetSaracen and DraftKings take very different approaches. BetSaracen is a homegrown sportsbook built for Arkansas bettors, while DraftKings brings a national platform with more features and a bigger promotions budget. Here’s a quick look at how they stack up:
| Category | BetSaracen | DraftKings |
|---|---|---|
| Apps | iOS, Android and web | iOS, Android and web |
| Live betting | Yes | Yes |
| Arkansas focus | Dedicated Arkansas Specials section | Razorbacks and in-state markets within a national menu |
| Cash banking | Yes, at Saracen Casino Resort | Not listed |
| Ongoing promotions | Local, Arkansas-focused offers | Daily odds boosts, parlay boosts and contests |
Betting markets at BetSaracen and DraftKings
Both sportsbooks offer deep betting menus. The biggest difference is where each one puts its emphasis.
BetSaracen markets
BetSaracen leans hard into local teams. Its Arkansas Specials section features in-state bets such as Razorbacks season win totals, and you’ll find lines on Arkansas State, Little Rock and other college programs across the state.
The sportsbook still covers every major league, including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, WNBA, MLS and college sports, plus tennis, golf, motorsports and niche options like darts and cycling. You can bet spreads, moneylines, totals, futures, parlays and in-game lines.
DraftKings markets
DraftKings offers one of the largest betting menus in the country, with thousands of player props, alternate lines and futures across major and minor sports. Razorbacks fans can still bet on their team, but the experience is built around a national audience rather than in-state specials.
DraftKings also brings features that BetSaracen doesn’t match, such as progressive parlays, Flash Bets on individual plays and a wide range of same-game parlay options, plus its Dynasty Rewards loyalty program. Its promotions page typically includes daily boosts tied to the biggest games of the day.
BetSaracen vs. DraftKings mobile apps
Both sportsbooks offer native apps for iPhone and Android, along with desktop sites.
BetSaracen app
The BetSaracen app keeps things simple. Upcoming and live games appear on the home screen, and switching between sports or leagues takes a single tap. Geolocation runs quickly once you grant location permission, and deposits and bet placement are straightforward.
The app is less polished than the national brands, though. User reviews point to occasional slow refreshes and a bet slip that takes a few extra taps to reach, and live streaming is limited.
DraftKings app
The DraftKings app is one of the most widely used sportsbook apps in the US, and it shows in the details. Navigation is fast, live odds update quickly and features like bet tracking and quick parlays are easy to find. One account also gives you access to DraftKings’ other products in states where they’re offered.
The flip side is that the app packs in a lot. Newer bettors may need a little time to find their way around the menus.
Pros and cons of BetSaracen and DraftKings
BetSaracen
Pros:
- Deep coverage of the Razorbacks and other Arkansas teams
- Locally focused promotions
- Cash deposits at Saracen Casino Resort
Cons:
- Available only in Arkansas
- Fewer advanced features and limited live streaming
DraftKings
Pros:
- Massive betting menu and fast live betting
- Frequent odds boosts and promotions for existing customers
- One account works in other states where DraftKings is legal
Cons:
- Fewer Arkansas-specific specials
- Busy app layout can take some getting used to
BetSaracen vs. DraftKings banking options
| Payment method | BetSaracen | DraftKings |
|---|---|---|
| Debit card | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal | Yes | Yes |
| Venmo | Yes | Yes |
| Apple Pay | Yes | Yes |
| Play+ prepaid card | Yes | Yes |
| Online banking/ACH | Yes | Yes |
| PayNearMe | Yes | Not listed |
| Cash at casino cage | Yes (Saracen Casino Resort) | Not listed |
Both books cover the most popular deposit methods. BetSaracen’s edge is in-person cash banking at the casino, which is handy if you live near Pine Bluff. BetSaracen typically processes withdrawals in one to five business days, and DraftKings often processes e-wallet withdrawals such as PayPal and Venmo quickly. At both sportsbooks, withdrawals generally go back to a method you’ve already used to deposit.
BetSaracen vs. DraftKings FAQ
Betly, operated through Southland Casino Hotel, shut down its Arkansas sportsbook on March 20, 2026. DraftKings launched the same day under Southland’s license, making DraftKings the online sportsbook now tied to Southland.
Absolutely. You can have accounts at both, which lets you claim each welcome offer and compare odds before placing a bet.
No. The sportsbook holds a license only in Arkansas and works only while you’re inside the state. DraftKings operates in many other legal states.
FanDuel is also live in Arkansas through a partnership with Oaklawn, which replaced the Oaklawn Sports app in 2026. For a full breakdown, see our Arkansas sports betting guide.
BetSaracen regularly features Arkansas-focused specials, especially for the Razorbacks. DraftKings offers markets on Arkansas teams too, but its promotions are usually tied to the biggest national games.