Colleges Embrace Arkansas Sports Raffle Act with Major Prize Payouts

Arkansas wide receiver Dazmin James (83) in action during a football game against Tennessee in 2024. (AP Photo/Mike Buscher)

You might recall the Arkansas Legislature passed the Arkansas Sports Raffle Act earlier this year. The new law allows Arkansas colleges and affiliated nonprofits to hold raffles with the pot split between the organizations and the winners. At least three colleges have jumped on the raffle train.

The Arkansas Razorbacks held their first raffle in May during a baseball series against the University of Tennessee. That raffle generated a pot of $282,645 — still the state’s largest sports raffle jackpot to date — with the winner taking home $141,320. Another Razorback raffle during a June baseball series against Tennessee concluded with $95,925 going to the winner.

In August, the Razorback football game against Alabama A&M drew a pot of $194,970 with $97,485 going to the winner.

In September, the Hogs’ game against Arkansas State in Little Rock generated $70,920 with the winner getting $35,460. Later in September, the Hogs’ game in Fayetteville against Notre Dame drew a pot of $150,450 with $75,225 going to the winner.

Arkansas State and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff have also held raffles and the University of Central Arkansas plans to hold its first raffle soon. Winners have 120 days to collect their winnings or the prize money will be retained by the colleges.