NHL Betting: The Best Online Sportsbooks in Arkansas for Hockey

Arkansas doesn't have an NHL team, but the Natural State's got legal sports betting and full access to hockey action. Since mobile betting launched in March 2022, Arkansas bettors can hit puck lines, player props, and Stanley Cup futures from anywhere in the state. You've got three licensed sportsbooks competing for your bets, and each one brings something different to the table.

Is NHL Betting Legal in Arkansas?

Yes. Arkansas legalized sports betting in November 2018 when voters approved Issue 4. Retail sportsbooks launched in July 2019, and online/mobile betting went live on March 5, 2022.

You must be 21 or older. The Arkansas Racing Commission regulates all sports betting, handling licensing, compliance, and consumer protection. Arkansas currently has three online sportsbooks: Betly (Southland Casino), BetSaracen (Saracen Casino Resort), and Oaklawn Sports (Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort). The state can support up to eight online sportsbooks, but only three are live right now.

Read more: Best Sports Betting Bonuses and Promos in Arkansas

Legal books protect your funds and offer faster payouts than offshore sites. Stick with licensed operators.

Top Sportsbooks for NHL Betting in Arkansas

Arkansas keeps it simple with three options. Here's how they stack up for hockey.

Betly

Retail Partner: Southland Casino Racing (West Memphis)

Betly's the most polished of Arkansas's three sportsbooks. Clean interface, solid NHL coverage across moneylines, puck lines, totals, player props (shots, goals, assists), period betting, and futures. Live betting updates at reasonable speeds. Promotions are modest compared to national books, but they run parlay boosts and odds enhancements on major games.

Best for: Arkansas bettors who want user-friendly design with reliable NHL coverage.

BetSaracen

Retail Partner: Saracen Casino Resort (Pine Bluff)

BetSaracen is the official sportsbook of the Quapaw Nation's Saracen Casino Resort. Covers NHL with moneylines, puck lines, totals, futures, player props, and live betting. Same-game parlays are the standout feature, letting you combine team outcomes with player props. The interface is functional but not as refined as bigger national books.

Best for: Bettors who love SGPs and want to stack NHL props with game outcomes.

Shurzy Tip: BetSaracen's SGP builder is solid for combining a team moneyline with player shots or goal scorer props. If you're parlaying, this is your book.

Oaklawn Sports

Retail Partner: Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort (Hot Springs)

Oaklawn Sports runs on Kambi, one of the sharpest sports betting platforms in the industry. That means better odds, faster live betting updates, and a deeper prop menu than the IGT-powered competition. Kambi's NHL coverage includes extensive player props, period markets, and responsive in-game betting.

Best for: Serious hockey bettors who prioritize sharp odds and live betting speed.

Shurzy Tip: Kambi-powered books are known for sharp pricing. If you're serious about NHL betting in Arkansas, Oaklawn Sports is where you start. Check their puck lines first—odds are usually tighter than Betly or BetSaracen.

Read more: NFL Betting: The Ultimate Guide for the 2025/2026 Football Season

NHL Bet Types in Arkansas

All three Arkansas sportsbooks cover the core NHL bets. Here's what you can play.

Moneyline Betting

Pick which team wins, straight up. NHL's got higher parity than NBA or NFL, so underdogs win more often. Don't chase heavy favorites blindly.

Puck Line (-1.5 / +1.5)

Hockey's spread. Favorites must win by 2+ goals (-1.5), underdogs get a 1.5-goal cushion. Most NHL games are decided by 1-2 goals, making -1.5 covers tougher than you think.

Shurzy Tip: Puck lines expose pricing differences between books fast. Check all three Arkansas sportsbooks before placing your bet. A -110 at Oaklawn might be -115 at Betly—5 cents per bet adds up.

Total Goals (Over/Under)

Usually set between 5.5 and 6.5 goals per game. Influenced by goalie matchups, team pace, and recent trends.

Player Props

The fastest-growing NHL market. Anytime goal scorer, shots on goal, assists, saves (goalies), and power play points are available. Oaklawn Sports tends to have the deepest prop menu thanks to Kambi.

Read more: Everything You Need to Know About NBA Prop Betting

Period Betting

Bet on specific periods: 1st-period moneyline, 1st-period total, 2nd-period total, 3rd-period total. Period betting cuts out late-game empty-net chaos that ruins full-game totals.

Shurzy Tip: First-period unders are underrated. If you think a game's going to be tight and defensive, bet the first period under instead of the full-game total. You dodge empty-net goals and overtime variance.

Team & Game Props

Team total goals, both teams to score, overtime (yes/no), winning margin, race to 3 goals. Prop depth varies by sportsbook.

NHL Parlays & Same Game Parlays

Standard parlays combine multiple independent bets. Same-game parlays (SGPs) let you stack moneylines with props from the same game. BetSaracen and Oaklawn Sports both offer NHL SGPs.

NHL Futures Betting

Stanley Cup winner, Conference winners, division winners, Hart Trophy (MVP), Vezina Trophy (best goalie), Calder Trophy (rookie). All three Arkansas books offer futures.

Read more: NHL Betting: The Ultimate Guide for the 2025/2026 Hockey Season

NHL Betting Bonuses & Promos in Arkansas

Arkansas sportsbooks run smaller promotions than national powerhouses, but there's still value to grab.

• Welcome Bonuses: Each Arkansas sportsbook offers new customer promotions. Terms vary seasonally—check Betly, BetSaracen, and Oaklawn Sports directly for current offers.
• Parlay Profit Boosts: Periodic boosts on 3+ leg parlays. Popular during heavy NHL slates.
• Odds Boosts: Limited compared to national books, but occasionally available on marquee matchups.
• Playoff Specials: Stanley Cup Playoffs bring enhanced promotions across all three books. Watch for round-specific offers April through June.

Shurzy Tip: With only three sportsbooks in Arkansas, check all three promotional tabs before betting. A small boost can swing a marginal bet into value territory. Don't skip this step.

Expert NHL Betting Tips for Arkansas Bettors

Here's how to bet smarter on hockey in Arkansas.

1. Watch Goalie Announcements Closely: A backup goalie can flip a line 2-3 goals instantly. Check official team sources 30 minutes before puck drop. If a starter's out, wait for the line to adjust before betting.
2. Consider Back-to-Back Situations: Teams playing consecutive nights face fatigue. The team on night two of a back-to-back allows more goals. Factor this into totals and puck lines.
3. Shurzy Tip: Back-to-backs are low-key edges. If a team's on the second night and traveling, fade them. Books price it somewhat, but casual bettors miss it—especially late season.
4. Track Pace & Expected Goals (xG): Raw records mislead. A team might lose 2-1 despite outshooting opponents 35-20. Expected Goals (xG) measures shot quality and predicts future performance better than win/loss records. Apps like Natural Stat Trick offer free xG data.
5. Home-Ice Advantage Isn't Massive: NHL home advantage is modest—roughly 3-4% edge in win percentage. Don't overweight home teams like you would in college football.
6. Look for Underdog Value: Hockey's low scoring creates frequent underdog wins. Moneylines and +1.5 puck lines often offer value overlooked by casual bettors.
7. Compare All Three Books: Arkansas has limited options, but pricing still varies. A 5-cent difference on a puck line compounds into real money over a season.

How to Start Betting on NHL Games in Arkansas

Getting started is simple. Here's the play-by-play.

• Pick a licensed sportsbook: Betly, BetSaracen, or Oaklawn Sports. Create an account with accurate info (full name, DOB, address, last four of SSN). Must be 21+. Verify identity by uploading your driver's license or passport. Deposit funds via debit cards, credit cards, or other methods (minimums typically $10-$20). Claim promotions from the "Promotions" tab for NHL-specific offers. Navigate to NHL/Hockey, find upcoming games with moneylines, puck lines, totals, and props. Compare odds across all three books before placing bets. Place your first bet—start simple with moneylines, puck lines, or anytime goal scorer. Track results and note which book offers the best lines.
• Beginner-friendly bets: Anytime goal scorer (lower variance), puck lines (better payouts), first-period unders (less chaotic).

Safe, Responsible Hockey Betting in Arkansas

The Arkansas Racing Commission ensures all licensed sportsbooks comply with consumer protection laws. Your funds are protected, and identity verification prevents underage gambling.

All three Arkansas sportsbooks offer deposit limits (daily, weekly, monthly), wager limits, time-out periods, and self-exclusion options. Use these tools proactively.

Responsible Gambling Resources:

• Arkansas Council on Problem Gambling
• National Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-522-4700

If betting ever feels like a burden, reach out. Problem gambling is treatable.

Never bet money you can't afford to lose. Avoid chasing losses. Track your bets. Stick to a plan. Separate betting funds from your everyday account.

Final Thoughts: Arkansas's Best for NHL Betting

Arkansas keeps it tight with three licensed sportsbooks. For NHL betting, Oaklawn Sports wins thanks to Kambi's sharp odds and responsive live betting. BetSaracen is solid for same-game parlay enthusiasts. Betly offers the cleanest overall interface.

The key to success in Arkansas: compare all three books before betting. Pricing varies, and even small differences compound into meaningful ROI over a season.

Use legal, regulated sportsbooks—skip offshore alternatives—and enjoy NHL action responsibly.