March is known for being a basketball frenzy. Now, experts in Arkansas are sharing how this March Madness led to a boom in online sports betting.
LITTLE ROCK, AR — March is the month of all things crazy.
Over the next few weeks, millions of people will be watching teams from around the world play basketball. It also plans to focus on online sports betting.
“We may be a football state, but when it comes to sports betting, basketball is the name of the game, so March is the biggest month yet for Bet Saracen,” said Carlton Safa, chief marketing officer of Saracen Casino Resort. It will be the moon,” he said.
March is a significant month in many ways, as it marks the third year that online sports betting sites have been available in the state. These were approved in November 2018, and Scott Hardin of the Arkansas Sports and Horse Racing Commission explained how they were a huge help to the state.
“We're up to $186 million a year, $404 million last year, and probably about $500 million or more this year. And that's really because of the mobile option. If you look at the numbers, we've increased about $404 million last year to about $500 million or more this year. 85% are done through these apps,” Hardin added.
He also said that by mid-2023, each casino in the state has developed and launched its own sports betting mobile app, benefiting from this change that eliminates the need to physically place a bet at a casino. .
“If you look at 2024, there were 50 million bets in January alone, and we're on track to hit 500 million this year. So to say this industry is in growth mode is actually strong enough. Not,” Hardin said. He said.
Safa also reiterated that March is the biggest time of the year, even if no Arkansas teams are in the tournament.
“I'm a little heartbroken that the Arkansas team isn't in it, but I know I'm going to be in every game, so I'm going into the game with just a little bit of skin, like $5 or $10 of income.” I hope we can do it.''Every game is exciting,'' he added.
He said experts are predicting an influx of more than 14 million bettors to the company's Bet Saracen app and he is excited to continue watching how the sports betting industry grows. .
“Eilers and Krajcik are industry experts. They project 14 million will be wagered in Arkansas, but their numbers are statewide and are in every sportsbook, so I'll take over.” is going to bet 14 million on the Saracens bet alone,” he said. He said. “If you think about it, in less than three years, we've grown from nothing to the 14th largest sportsbook brand in America. I'm proud as Arkansans that we were able to do this. think.”