Arkansas Collective Proposes Gambling Raffle For NIL Fundraising

While name, image, and likeness (NIL) are still new in the collegiate sports atmosphere, big-time schools are doing what they can to help fund the program. That’s especially true in the South where schools in the SEC are funded by major donors. The University of Arkansas has Arkansas Edge, their NIL collective. Arkansas Edge is seeking permission from the Arkansas Racing Commission (ARC) to amend rules to allow them to have 50/50 raffles. This would be costly to allow Arkansas Edge to operate an online raffle. On top of that, they would be required to partner with and utilize and technology service provider like GeoComply.

Saracen Casino Resort and Jefferson County’s Pine Bluff said they are willing to lend their Bet Saracen Sportsbook to the online raffle initiative. This would be ideal for Arkansas Edge as Bet Saracen already has geofencing technology and “know your customer” protocols. This would prohibit anyone under the age of 21 from using their services. Bet Saracen is owned and operated by the Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma who said they are capable of running an electronic 50/50 raffle.

There was an immediate pushback for Arkansas Edge to partner with Bet Saracen

While the idea of partnering with Bet Saracen seemed like a great idea for Arkansas Edge, it may not be as easy as it seemed. The state’s Charitable Bingo and Raffles Act requires bingo games and raffles to be tied to charitable organizations that have been recognized for five years. However, Arkansas Edge is not a charitable group. To work around this issue, Arkansas Edge and Bet Saracen proposed regulatory language to call their 50/50 raffle a “NIL drawing game”. Several lawmakers including Arkansas’ Finance and Administration Secretary Jim Hudson has his doubts. He believes the proposed NIL raffle by Arkansas Edge is not authorized under existing law. A simple rule change would not be enough to allow the NIL fund to conduct this online 50/50 raffle.

Saracen representatives want to expand past an online raffle

If Saracen and Arkansas Edge are successful in creating an NIL 50/50 raffle, they don’t want to stop there. Representatives from Saracen have noted that the state should go ahead and legalize iGaming as well. That would include online slot machines and interactive table games. However, that would be a massive step for Arkansas and the state needs to take it one step at a time. While Saracen would love to see iGaming in Arkansas, state regulators are not going to be rushed into making that happen.