FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — One Arkansas casino's idea to help fund the University of Arkansas student-athlete NIL program has led to online controversy after it was stopped in its tracks.
Saracen Casino proposed offering games of chance like slots through their mobile app beginning in 2024 and using a portion of the proceeds toward donations to Arkansas Edge, the Razorback NIL program. The only issue is that currently, mobile gambling with those types of games isn't legal in Arkansas.
While sports betting is legal through Saracen's mobile app, online slots and table games aren't.
Saracen Casino's Chief Marketing Officer Carlton Saffa said he wants to change that state law, not just to contribute to NIL, but to push out the foreign companies that are already doing it illegally.
Of course, legalizing mobile table games would need a lengthy process that involves underlying permissions.
"We believe the proposed NIL raffle is not authorized under existing Arkansas law and could not be implemented with just a rule change. It’s also important to note the proposal is part of a broader request to allow casino gaming online. This would represent a major expansion of gaming in Arkansas and should not be rushed into without understanding its impact on our state," Jim Hudson, the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) Secretary, said. "I share the concerns about foreign illegal gaming, and DFA is committed to working with our casino partners and law enforcement to address it.”
Saffa told our Little Rock sister station THV11 that he recently learned of someone who had allegedly told state leaders that the University of Arkansas program doesn't need NIL money. Knowing that information raises concerns for Saffa, who says that could slow down the potential legalization process.
Online finger-pointing landed on another casino — Oaklawn Racing and Gaming — for allegedly being against the proposal, frustrating Razorback fans who say they want to see the NIL program grow. One notable Razorback fan and revered radio personality Bobby Bones took to X with his thoughts on Tuesday.
"So I’m told by a few folks that Oaklawn doesn’t want online gaming which is hindering the aforementioned NIL dollars. I don’t give 2 rips about who runs gaming. But I’d love to talk to someone at @OaklawnRacing about how they can level up their NIL if they are also keeping it down. Again. I understand why Oaklawn wouldn’t want a competitive environment. That’s dollars. However, the state will turn on them now that this is public info as to why money isn’t being allowed to be raised," one of his posts read.
Bones went on to say that if Oaklawn donated $2 million in NIL funds a year to the Razorbacks, the public outcry wouldn't be as loud.
"I feel I am the Ambassador to make this happen," Bones said on X. "Grew up in Hot Springs, at @OaklawnRacing. Grew up and still love the state and the Hogs. I’ll even commit to doing some national ambassador work for Oaklawn if they can come through with the extra money or a compromise. #WooPig"
Amid the swirling turmoil online, Oaklawn put out a press release on Monday announcing the casino's president Louis Cella's decision to donate $500,000 to the Razorback Foundation. Cella acknowledged "tough financial times for college sports, especially those at the University of Arkansas," in the statement.
"They are competing in the toughest conference in the nation, and regularly going up against schools with far greater resources," Cella said.
Cella challenged other businesses in the state to also contribute to the sports program.
"If the Razorbacks are going to remain competitive, it’s going to take backing from all of us," he said.
Razorback Head Football Coach Sam Pittman was quoted in the statement as saying, "The University sincerely appreciates what Louis and other business leaders are doing ... and Louis is correct. This is what it is going to take for us to compete in the SEC and nationally."
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