An Arkansas casino executive says a bill that would let the state’s universities set up raffles to fund NIL programs in recruiting athletes is “bad” legislation as written.

Carlton Saffa, chief market officer at Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Bluff, told Gambling.com on Monday that House Bill 1044 would not raise much money if casinos are banned from running 50/50 NIL drawings.

In a 50/50 drawing, half the money raised would go to NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) funds to recruit college athletes. The other half would go to the person who wins the drawing.

Under the current language, HB1044 prohibits casinos from serving as “a third-party operator” or otherwise administering a raffle for university fundraising. In states like Kentucky, similar programs operated by universities only raise small amounts of money, Saffa said.

The bill is set for a hearing at noon on Wednesday in the House Committee on Rules in Little Rock, the capital city.

Saffa said his casino’s sports-betting app, BetSaracen, has a built-in customer base of “tens of thousands” of Arkansans. The casino also has the tools and advertising know-how to bring in much more money than universities can raise on their own, he said. Saffa said the casino would receive no financial benefit and take none of the money raised in the drawings.

“We have the customers, the platform and the technology,” he said. “Let us do it for you.”

The bill’s primary sponsor, state Rep. R.J. Hawk, R-Bryant, told Gambling.com on Monday he introduced the bill at the request of university officials. He said promotional companies handle similar raffles for universities in other states. 

If the Rules Committee approves Hawk's bill, the measure will be sent to the House floor for a vote. If approved there, it would require passage in the Senate before going to Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders for her signature or veto. Hawk said she supports his bill.

Hawk noted the bill would let universities offer 50/50 NIL raffles in addition to general raffles to raise money for school projects. Currently, raffles are only allowed for charities and other nonprofit organizations, he said.

Saffa Wants iGaming Legalized In Arkansas

Saffa told Gambling com he intends to seek a separate bill that would set up 50/50 NIL drawings and also legalize online casino gambling statewide.

Known as iGaming, online casino gambling lets users play traditional casino games such as slots and craps on their smart phones or computers for money.

Hawk said he is “pro-casino” and likes going to Saracen but doubts there is enough support in the Legislature to approve an iGaming bill. If one is approved, Hawk will amend his bill to include iGaming, he said.

Last August, Saffa was interviewed on Gambling.com’s “The Edge,” regarding his plans to legalize iGaming in Arkansas and to launch an online NIL drawing.