LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — An Arkansas casino is pushing for what it calls change and has been causing a stir online.
Saracen Casino is hoping to legalize a type of online gaming and they want to use the money from that to help college athletes across the state. However, it's a long process, and not everyone is on board.
"It's no secret that every NIL program in America needs money," said, Carlton Saffa the Chief Market Officer for Saracen Casino.
Saffa said he recently learned of someone who had allegedly told state leaders that the University of Arkansas program doesn't need NIL money. He said knowing that information raises concerns.
"What we're seeking in 2024 is games of chance to include 50/50 drawings, legal, statewide," Saffa said.
He hopes to make online slots and table games legal for a couple of reasons.
First, he wants to stop foreign companies that already do it illegally.
Currently, the only way to place a legal sports wager in Arkansas is at one of the state’s three casinos or through the apps that they offer.
"In a desire to displace them, to push them out, we want to follow what Michigan did, which was a model where you legalize it for the authorized actors, and heavy law enforcement pushes them out," he explained.
To legalize it here in Arkansas, there's a formal process.
Saffa said that until that happens, Saracen can't offer 50/50 drawings, and in turn, use money from it to help NIL programs in the state.
"Without the underlying permissions to authorize a game of chance, we can't do a drawing," he explained.
Now that word is spreading that the U of A doesn't need the money, he's worried it could slow down the process to make the online games possible.
While he thinks a rule change will help, the Department of Finance explained how that alone won't be enough.
In a statement released by Jim Hudson, the Department of Finance and Administration Secretary, he said:
"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. I share the concerns about foreign illegal gaming, and DFA is committed to working with our casino partners and law enforcement to address it.”
DFA Spokesperson Scott Hardin said the reason DFA does not believe this can be accomplished through a rule change is due to a ban on online raffles that can be found in Arkansas Code Section 23-114-401.
Saffa said he's hopeful that they'll have a hearing soon to get the ball rolling. That way Saracen can support collegiate programs throughout the state.
"My sense of urgency is to help my alma mater where I went to college, and with every day that we wait, we are wasting opportunities to provide tools to Fayetteville to put the best team on the field they can," Saffa added.
We did reach out to the U of A System to ask about the NIL money claims but have not heard back just yet.