Committee adopts amendment, advances bill defining esports and distancing it from casino wagering

The Senate Insurance & Commerce Committee advanced House Bill 1349 after adopting an amendment that removed language appearing to authorize casinos to accept wagers on esports tournament outcomes. Sponsor Senator Dodson said the bill's primary purpose is to define paid esports tournaments as games of skill and to make clear they do not constitute gambling under Arkansas law.

Senator Dodson framed esports as a growing extracurricular and collegiate activity, saying more than 80 Arkansas schools now offer esports and that six Arkansas colleges award esports scholarships. Logan Horton, head esports coach and director at Hendrix College, told the committee esports can be an educational tool that builds teamwork and life skills and described a student, Kevin, who improved academically and later moved out of state after participating in esports. "Esports is more than a game. It's a community, a culture, and a passion," Horton said.

Committee members raised concerns that a sentence in the original draft could be read as explicitly authorizing casinos to "make book" on esports outcomes. Jackson Acuff of Americans for Prosperity, who said he helped draft the bill, told the committee the intent was never to affect gambling laws and that the bill was meant to separate paid esports tournaments from gambling statutes. He cited a state gaming-device provision during his remarks.

To address concerns, Senator Dodson offered an amendment to strike the four lines that referenced casino wagering and to change related wording so the bill would not be read as authorizing casino betting. The committee debated whether the language was necessary; supporters said removing it would not change the status quo but would avoid the appearance of authorizing wagering. The committee adopted the amendment by voice vote.

With that change, Senator Pinto moved to report the bill favorably as amended; Senator Johnson seconded. Committee members called ayes and the chair declared House Bill 1349 passed out of committee as amended.

Committee discussion noted potential secondary issues — sponsorships for students, online wagering beyond the state's authority, and integrity risks when betting markets exist — and senators urged careful drafting before floor consideration. The sponsor said he would continue vetting language before the bill advances.