“Slots Will Remain King”: Arkansas Terminal Games Generate $610M in Revenue

At the end of January, we reported that, according to the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, the state’s three casinos generated $116 million in tax revenue for the previous year, up 5.4% from 2024. 

In terms of total wins from terminal games, the trio displayed $610.27 million, signaling a 2.8% rise from the previous year. The machines left behind sport settings and table games, accounting for 83% of total casino revenue. 

“Predictable, High-Margin, and Deeply Embedded in Customer Behavior”

The fact that slot machines have been the backbone of casino revenue in the Natural State since gambling was legalized is no surprise to anyone, especially with the evolution from classic machines to digital, video-based experiences that offer players more ways to interact, bet, and stay engaged.

Robert W. Powell III, a hospitality management lecturer at the University of Arkansas, believes the slot growing trend is unlikely to shift anytime soon. 

“They’re predictable, high-margin, and deeply embedded in customer behavior. That doesn’t change overnight,” he explained.

While mobile sports betting continues to go up, it still only represents a small portion of the overall revenue. The state’s three casinos combined for $67.92 million in mobile betting win in 2025, a 54% YoY rise, but still only represented 9.2% of total revenue. 

Nationwide, slot machines remain a major driver as well, generating $37.1 billion, or 47% of total gaming revenue.

Balancing Stability with Innovation

Operators in Arkansas are now focused less on expansion and more on refining their approach. 

“Slots will remain king, but the real story is how operators balance stability with innovation, especially as sports betting and national partnerships reshape the competitive landscape,” Powell said.

At Saracen Casino Resort, that strategy has paid off, as slot revenue rose 9% in 2025 to $164.18 million, the largest increase in the state. Marketing director Carlton Saffa credited the casino’s experienced team. “We have the best men in the business,” he said. “Our slot team has a combined more than 50 years of experience from some of the top casinos in the nation.”

That team blends analytics with instinct. “It’s analytics, a little bit of gut, a little bit of art, and a whole lot of collaboration,” said Brian Bass, director of slot performance.

Across the state, casinos are also rethinking how their gaming floors look and feel. At Saracen, changes included reducing the number of machines and creating more open space. 

Comfort has also become a priority. Saracen understood this, investing heavily in custom seating designed to keep players at the machines longer. “We didn’t cheap out on that chair,” said Lou Rosa, senior director of slots. “That chair is the first of its kind.”

The goal is simple: make players want to sit, stay, and keep playing.