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Best Online Casinos: Top Online Casino Sites Ranked for Reputation, Real Money Game Variety, and Bonuses

Online casino gambling is on a meteoric rise, but before you start, you need to find the best online casinos to match your style and preference.

That’s why we’ve vetted dozens of online casinos using strict ranking criteria to find the best.

After our research we can confidently say that Red Dog Casino is the best online casino overall, offering exceptional online slots and an attractive welcome bonus exceeding $12,000.

That said, we’ve got an amazing list of top online casinos, so let’s get into it.

Best Online Casinos

  • Red Dog Casino: Best online casino overall
  • Ignition Casino: Best for playing poker
  • Slots.lv: Best progressive jackpots
  • SuperSlots: Best welcome bonuses
  • Cafe Casino: Best table games
  • Bitstarz: Best crypto online casino
  • Wild Casino: Best for high-rollers
  • Bovada: Best live dealer games
  • Las Atlantis: Best online slots bonus
  • BetOnline: Best for sports betting

1. Red Dog Casino – Best Online Casino Overall

red dog casino

Pros:

  • 240% welcome bonus
  • No transaction fees, at all
  • 40 bonus spins
  • The best RTG slots around
  • 24/7 Reload Bonus
  • Live casino games

Cons:

  • $150 minimum payout might be harder to reach for low-stake players

 

Today’s gold medalist is Red Dog. The home to the finest games from RTG, this online casino offers a 5-tier welcome bonus at a 240% match rate if you use our bonus code “ADORABLE.”

Variety and Quality of Casino Games: 4.8/5

Red Dog is powered by RTG and offers over 200 slots. Themes, features, and jackpots vary. You can also find table games like roulette, blackjack, baccarat, and keno in both digital and live dealer formats. To access the dozen live dealer games, you will need to register.

RealTime Gaming is a renowned company in this business. Some of its popular slot games include Aztec’s Millions, Caesar’s Empire, Cleopatra’s Gold, Jackpot Pinatas, and many more.

The selection of table games is solid and we appreciate the recent addition of a dedicated blackjack page.

Bonuses and Promos: 4.9/5

When you create your casino account at Red Dog, make sure to enter the bonus code “ADORABLE”  to receive a 240% match deposit bonus over your first five deposits. If you use Bitcoin or Neosurf, the bonus match rate is even bigger.

The welcome offer also includes 40 free spins on the Spring Wilds slot game. 

In addition to the welcome bonus, there is a 24/7 reload bonus available on every deposit with a match rate of up to 160% depending on your deposit amount.

Banking Methods and Withdrawal Speed: 4.85/5

First of all, Red Dog supports crypto, which is always a plus in our book. You can deposit and withdraw using Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Tether.

Other options include credit and debit cards like Visa, Mastercard, and also Neosurf. You need to deposit at least $10 to $30 depending on your payment preference. 

A standout feature at Red Dog is that no deposit or withdrawal fees are charged, ever. That’s right – $0 transaction fees!

The payout speed is fast as well. If you use Bitcoin, the money should hit your account within 24 hours. The $150 minimum withdrawal might be steep for low-stake players, though.

Mobile Optimization and Support Service: 4.95/5

Beyond the fun design – and we actually like that little Red Dog Mascot – the online casino is fully optimized for mobile devices. In fact, this place is one of the few online casinos that are 100% mobile responsive.

The customer support is excellent and you can contact the team 24/7 over live chat, email, or phone. We appreciate that the contact page is prominently highlighted right in the main menu.

2. Ignition Casino – Best Online Casino for Poker Games & Tournaments

ignition casino

Pros:

  • Best poker tournaments
  • $1,000,000+ GTD poker events every month
  • $3,000 welcome bonus
  • Ignition Miles VIP program
  • 30+ live dealer games

Cons:

  • Lacks e-wallet banking methods

Poker is one of the most popular online casino games, and there is no better place to enjoy poker tournaments than Ignition. That said, this is no one trick pony – the casino side lives up to its end of the bargain as well.

Variety and Quality of Casino Games: 4.8/5

Poker! That’s what this gambling site is all about. And they sure don’t disappoint, with about a dozen different poker games on offer, including Texas Hold’em, Omaha, and Seven Card Stud.

The tournaments are where Ignition really shines through. There are events with guaranteed prize pools of up to $1 million every single month! And if that’s not enough, there are also weekly tournaments with jackpots worth up to $250,000.

And if you’re a newbie, you’ll be safe from sharks because you can join the tables anonymously. Elsewhere on the platform, virtual sports betting is also available.

On the casino side expect a solid offering of Hot Drop Jackpot slots, some of the best blackjack software on the market, and specialty games to rival any other top online casino.

Bonuses and Promos: 4.75/4

Ignition greets new players with a 300% match deposit bonus of up to $3,000. The offer is split into two parts – $1,500 for the casino and $1,500 for the poker room.

There are also wagering requirements of 25x attached to the bonus, which is better than what most other casinos require.

But that’s not all – there are plenty of ongoing promos too, especially for poker. For example, Bad Beat Bonus or the Royal Flush bonus, and there’s also a referral program that can net you $100 for every friend who signs up.

Banking Methods and Withdrawal Speed: 4.7/5

You can use 8 payment options at the casino site, equally split between crypto and fiat. The options include Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Litecoin, Visa, Mastercard, voucher, and Amex.

The withdrawal times are pretty good too – crypto transactions are processed within 24 hours, while fiat withdrawals take a bit longer (up to 5 business days).

Mobile Optimization and Support Service: 4.8/5

Ignition offers a dedicated mobile app for poker players. For the remainder of the online casino, the website is fully optimized for mobile devices.

The customer support team is available 24/7 over live chat and email, and they’re always happy to help.

There’s also an Ignition forum where players can discuss various topics related to online gambling. It’s a great place to get help from other players, or even from representatives of the support team.

3. Slots.lv – Best Progressive Jackpot Games of All Online Casinos

slots lv

Pros:

  • 35 progressive jackpot slots
  • 8-figure jackpot prize pools
  • $5,000 welcome bonus ($7.5k for crypto)
  • Monthly $5,000,000 Hot Drops
  • 250+ games

Cons:

  • Lacks e-wallet options
  • Live dealer selection is average

When many people think about the best online casinos, they think about big jackpot prizes that really grab your attention. Well, that’s what Slots.lv is all about, and it’s our top pick for jackpot hunters!

Variety and Quality of Casino Games: 4.7/5

Slots.lv boasts an impressive library of over 250 real money casino games, including all the classics. The progressive jackpot selection is where this site really shines, though, with 35 different slots games offering prize pools in the eight-figure range.

The selection of live dealer games is a bit limited when compared to other casinos. That said, all of the games at Slots.lv are from high-quality providers like RealTime Gaming, Spinomenal, Rival Gaming, Genesis Gaming, and Betsoft.

Bonuses and Promos: 4.8/5

New customers can choose between two welcome bonuses at Slots.lv. 

The first is a standard bonus worth up to $5,000, while the second is a Bitcoin-specific bonus that goes all the way up to $7,500. The wagering requirements are 35x.

In addition to the welcome bonuses, there are plenty of other promos and offers available, including reload bonuses and cashback.

Banking Methods and Withdrawal Speed: 4.55/5

Slots.lv supports a decent variety of deposit and withdrawal methods, including credit cards, Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, bank transfer, and Rapid Transfer. 

The lack of e-wallets like PayPal and Neteller is a bit disappointing but not a dealbreaker.

Withdrawals take an average of 3-5 business days to process, or just a few hours if you opt for cryptocurrency.

Mobile Optimization and Support Service: 4.65/5

Slots.lv is fully optimized for mobile devices and runs smoothly on all smartphones and tablets. There’s no app but the mobile site is more than enough for most players.

Live chat and email customer support are available around the clock, or you can find answers to common questions in the Slots.lv forum.

4. SuperSlots – Best Welcome Bonuses of All Casinos Online

superslots

Pros:

  • $6,000 welcome bonus
  • 400% match up to $4,000 for crypto
  • Top-tier software providers
  • 250+ games
  • Exciting jackpots

Cons:

  • Higher rollover requirements for crypto
  • Mobile casino limitations

If you want an online casino that greets you with arms wide open and lines your pockets with bonus cash, head over to Super Slots. Using crypto grants you a 400% deposit bonus, while depositing fiat money kicks off a welcome package going up to $6,000.

Variety and Quality of Casino Games: 4.45/5

The games at SuperSlots are brought to you by some of the most reputable software providers in the iGaming industry like BetSoft, Nucleus, and Fresh Deck.

There are plenty of titles to choose from, with new ones added on a regular basis. You can enjoy all the classics like video slots and table games, as well as some more unique options such as keno games.

Super Slots also offers not one but two live casinos, featuring Early Payout Blackjack, with its industry-leading RTP of 99%.

Bonuses and Promos: 5/5

As a new player, you can take advantage of the generous fiat welcome bonus going up to $6,000, spread out over your first six deposits. 

If you deposit using crypto, you’ll get an extra 400% match on your first deposit, going up to $4,000.

Wagering requirements for the standard welcome bonus are 35x the deposit and bonus amount. For the crypto bonus, they’re slightly higher at 48x.

Beyond this, we really love their two reload bonuses: the Tuesday Top Up and Hump Day Special, making this a solid spot for consistent regulars to find a new home.

Banking Methods and Withdrawal Speed: 4.4/5

The banking section at SuperSlots is super solid, especially if you’re a crypto player. Expect a superior list of coins like Bitcoin, Cardano, Avalanche, Stellar, ApeCoin, and much more.

On the fiat side you can use credit cards, debit cards, wire transfers, money orders, and cashier’s checks.

With cryptocurrency withdrawals, you can expect them to be completed within one day. Fiat withdrawals on the other hand can take up to five business days.

Mobile Optimization and Support Service: 4.3/5

The SuperSlots website is mobile-friendly and can be accessed through your mobile browser. The casino lobby is optimized for all smartphones and tablets, making it easy to play on the go.

If you need any assistance, the customer support team is always available to help you out. You can reach them via live chat or email.

5. Cafe Casino – Best Table Games of All Best Casino Sites

cafe casino

Pros:

  • 350% welcome bonus
  • High-quality table games
  • 7 software providers
  • 7 bingo games

 

Cons:

  • Could use more slots

 

Finally, if you’re looking to dive into the table games section, we recommend Cafe Casino and the cool 350% boost it offers.

Variety and Quality of Casino Games: 4.4/5

Cafe Casino boasts a games lobby that comprises titles from some of the industry’s leading software providers. You will find games from bigwigs like Realtime Gaming, Rival Gaming, and Genesis, to mention a few.

The table games lobby at Cafe Casino is particularly impressive, with classics like blackjack, roulette, and baccarat all accounted for.

There are also quite a few variants of these games to keep things interesting. For instance, you can try your hand at multi-hand blackjack or opt for the more unique Super 21 variant.

Bonuses and Promos: 4.45/5

Welcome to Cafe Casino, where the fun never stops and the bonuses keep on coming! When you sign up and make your first deposit, they’ll match it with a 350% bonus up to $2,500 if you’re using crypto, or 250% up to $1,500 if you’re using fiat..

The promos section is regularly updated and we recommend checking it out from time to time. Right now there’s a great Mystery Bonus promo which gives unique rewards to accounts every Thursday.

Banking Methods and Withdrawal Speed: 4.3/5

You can use nine payment methods at the gambling site: American Express, Mastercard, Visa, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Player Transfer, and Check by Courier.

All deposits are processed instantly, while withdrawals take between two and seven days. Crypto transactions are the fastest and come with no fees attached.

Mobile Optimization and Support Service: 4.25/5

Cafe Casino is available across all mobile devices, including Android smartphones and tablets, iPhones, and iPads. The responsive design interface ensures a smooth gaming experience, regardless of the size of your screen.

Should you encounter any problems while playing at the casino, you can reach out to the customer support team 24/7 via live chat or email.

How We Ranked the Best Online Casinos

Variety and Quality of Online Casino Games

You can’t have a high-quality casino site without providing a large selection of games. Players want to gamble on a variety of different game types, and they also want those games to be high-quality.

We only highlight casinos that offer at least 250 different games, and we prefer online casino sites that have a wide variety of game types available: online slots, table games, video poker, live dealer games, and specialty games from various software providers.

Bonuses and Promos

We all love a nice bonus but when we’re ranking online casinos, we look beyond the size of the welcome bonus. We want to see a variety of different reload bonuses and promotions that will benefit both new and existing players.

The wagering requirements should be within the industry standard and all the terms and conditions must be clear and fair.

Banking Methods and Withdrawal Speed

Banking is an important factor when ranking online casinos. Players want to have a wide selection of banking options to choose from and they also want fast withdrawals.

We recommend casinos that offer at least 5 different banking methods, and most of our best online casinos can process withdrawals within 24 hours depending on your chosen method. Available options should include credit and debit cards, e-wallets, and crypto.

Mobile Optimization and Support Service

Mobile optimization is becoming increasingly important as more and more players are gambling on their mobile devices. If a dedicated mobile casino app is available, then all the better.

Last but not least, the best casinos need to have top-notch customer support service. We want to see 24/7 live chat support and we also want to see a variety of different contact methods available, including email and phone.

Best  Online Casino Sites – FAQs

What are the most trusted online casinos?

Based on in-depth research, we can say that the most trusted online casino overall is Bitstarz, especially if you’re a bonus hunter.

Red Dog is the best option overall, while Ignition is our No. 1 online casino for poker. Slots.lv excels for jackpot hunters, while SuperSlots highlights include generous welcome bonuses.

Are online casinos rigged?

No, the casino sites we recommend are all legit online casinos with transparent licensing data and reputable software providers. They all use Random Number Generators to guarantee fairness and randomness and some platforms like Bitstarz even offer provably fair games.

Can I win real money at online casino sites?

Yes, you can win real money at online gambling sites. There are a number of ways to do this, but the most common is by playing games that offer cash prizes. These include slots, video poker, blackjack, and other casino games.

Some sites also offer sports betting, which allows you to bet on sporting events and win money if your team wins. Either way, we always recommend trying the demo mode before wagering real money. Always adhere to your local laws and call the National Problem Gambling Hotline if needed.

How to find the best online casinos?

The journey of finding the best online casinos starts at the bottom, or in the footer menu. Whichever site you’re checking out, it’s vital that you see the licensing and SSL encryption info. Look for reputable licensing bodies like the Malta Gaming Authority or Curacao eGaming.

Then, inspect the game catalog by checking the quality and variety of software providers. The top online casinos will boast world-class providers like Microgaming, Playtech, and NetEnt. You should also check whether the games are provably fair or not.

Also, always remember to read the casino’s terms and conditions before creating an account. This way, you can avoid any nasty surprises down the line! This especially applies to bonuses where you should look for fair wagering requirements and enough time to meet them.

If you are uncertain about anything, just write to the support team and they will be more than happy to help. Once you’re satisfied that an online casino is safe and fair, it’s time to start having fun! 

What’s the best online casino?

The best real money online casino in our book is Red Dog. Fully licensed and regulated, this gambling site offers the top of the heap from RealTime Gaming (RTG), an established name in the casino software industry. As a new player, you are eligible for over $12,000 in welcome bonus money.

Other top online casinos include Ignition, which is awesome for poker tournaments, Slots.lv and its progressive jackpots, and the amazing welcome bonuses at SuperSlots. Other solid options include Las Atlantis and Wild Casino.

What is the safest online casino?

The safest online casino is the one that’s licensed by a stringent regulator like the Malta Gaming Authority or Curacao eGaming. These organizations enforce strict rules and regulations that casinos must follow in order to obtain and keep their licenses.

This means that the casino is regularly checked for fairness and safety, so you can be sure that your money is in good hands. Check out Red Dog Casino if you’re looking for recommendations.

Which games should I play at online casinos?

If we’re looking at winning odds and house edge, blackjack is the best casino game out there. However, this doesn’t mean that you should only play blackjack at casinos.

In fact, slots are a great choice for casual players since they’re easy to learn and don’t require any strategy. If you want something more challenging, then we recommend trying video poker or live dealer games. These offer the best odds but can be pretty tricky to master.

How can I withdraw money from online casinos?

Most gambling sites will let you withdraw your winnings through a wire transfer, credit and debit cards, or crypto. The withdrawal methods will vary from casino to casino.

Wire transfers can take a few days to process, while credit and debit cards are usually instant. Crypto withdrawals are also pretty fast, but you will need to make sure that you have a wallet set up before you can use this method.

How to Join Online Casinos & Play Games

You’ll be playing your favorite casino games in about 5 minutes from now if you’re up for it. 

Here’s how to join a popular online casino using the Red Dog casino platform as an example.

1: Create Your Red Dog Casino Account

  • Visit Red Dog Casino and click the ‘Sign-Up’ button to activate the registration form.
  • Enter all the required data, including your email. Provide valid info only.
  • Agree to the T&Cs and click the ‘Register’ button.

2: Verify Your Casino Account

  • The gambling site will send a verification message to the email address you provided.
  • Click the button or the link within the message to verify your account.
  • You can now log in to the gambling site.

3: Fund Your Account & Claim the Welcome Bonus

  • Once logged in, head over to the cashier and adjust your payment method and the sum you wish to deposit.
  • Make the payment and claim the welcome bonus using the bonus code “ADORABLE” for a 240% match deposit bonus.
  • You can now enjoy real-money games.

Still Looking to Play at the Best Online Casinos?

As our guide draws to a close, we’d like to reiterate that Red Dog is the best online gambling site around. The online casino offers a fantastic selection of online slots from RTG, combined with a solid selection of table games and a generous welcome bonus package.

Regardless of what your preferred online casino is, we urge you to stick to responsible gambling. 

Check out the free gambling addiction resources online, call the National Gambling Helpline if you believe you might have a gambling problem.

Stay safe and have a good one!

 

Playing online casino games should always be about fun. Please remember that our guides and all gambling sites are only for people who are 18+. Also, check with local laws to find out if online gambling is legal in your area.

If you have a gambling addiction problem or anyone you know does, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700. In addition, the following free gambling addiction resources can be of help:

 

http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/

http://www.ncpgambling.org/

 http://www.gamblingtherapy.org/

The Importance of Transparency

transparency arkansas

The citizens of Arkansas have taken notice of this problem and are making their voices heard in their State Legislature, which has become run by the same political party for the last two decades. The citizens of Arkansas know that if their Representatives are not fully committed to transparency in their government then they will not work to keep them in office. They know if the media reports about how little they know about transparency Arkansas laws and such, then they will lose their credibility with the people of their district. Therefore, when people vote for these folks in the upcoming elections, they will not be voting for those who truly understand what is going on and they will vote against the people who are trying to make the government transparent.

“What’s transparency?” you might be asking. Well, it is a simple concept, if we could see all of the information that is being provided to the American People by our elected officials, including the executive branch and the U.S. Congress then we would have a clear view of exactly what is going on in our country. You see, as citizens of the United States of America we all have the right to know what our elected leaders are doing what they are supposed to be doing. In fact the very first amendment of the United States Constitution clearly states that all Bills of Attain or Death should be submitted to the House of Representatives and the Senate for scrutiny and then published for general public consumption. If this nation was to cease to exist as we know it today because we do not have a level of transparency in our government.

However, this would completely destroy our representative system of government, which is based on the idea of representative government. Without transparency in our government the concept of representative government as we know it today will no longer exist. What would happen if all of the elected officials were to simply hide behind the bushes as they always seem to do, and then no one would ever know what they did? Would there be less transparency in that government? Of course there would be, and sooner or later we would turn into a banana republic rather than a representative constitutional government.

There is hope though, and not just for the citizens of Arkansas but for the rest of the United States of America. There are people in other states who want to bring the same level of transparency to government as is currently experienced in Arkansas. So, if you live in a state other than Arkansas why not learn all you can about the workings of your representative and how they get elected and how you can vote them out if they are not doing their job. There is a resource out there that will show you how to do just that. It’s called voting Democrat, and it’s designed to help the citizens of each and every state move their representative to the House and Senate where they can start to make changes to our government.

If you live in Arkansas, you owe it to the people to learn more about your representative and how he or she got elected. It may surprise you to learn that some of your state representatives are actually closet insiders for the political party that just happened to pick them. It is very important that you learn all you can about the people who are representing you in Washington. You owe it to yourself, your family, and your children to make sure they are doing what they are supposed to do and you have every right to do so. With the transparency initiative of voting you can make sure your representatives are truly committed to serving the people of their state and not just their party.

If you live in another state, it is very important that you take a serious look at the election laws for that state. Sometimes people think they can take what they want and that is the bottom line. They forget that they have a representative in place in Washington and they need to pay attention. Our representatives are there to represent us not to give us what we want. Get informed, get involved, and make sure that you know what is going on in your state.

The Best Dating Site In Arkansas

Dating Site

Arkansas is one of the states in the United States of America. If you live here, I am sure you know that it is a wonderful spot. It is also very beautiful and known for its ideal date type locations. In this particular guide, I’m going to be talking about the best dating site in Arkansas.

Little Rock

I’m going to be talking about eHarmony.

This site will ask you your personal details first. It is a free site, when you are enrolling. First, ask you your gender, and then it will ask you what you are looking for. It will also ask you which gender you are interested in. You will be able to find singles in Fayetteville, Jonesboro and Little Rock as well.

The exquisite state is very apt for the perfect love story. No other state can actually beat the natural states beauty or the solidarity. If you are embarking on a dating adventure, the local towns and cities are your best bet when you are looking for dating options. You will be able to meet fantastic singles in Arkansas, and you will be able to make some incredible memories as well. Dating in the any city in Arkansas actually implies an amazing and unique chance to explore the expensive and vast wilderness with a special person.

You will actually have tons of options. The benefits of dating the traditional way in Arkansas are very simple. It is the state of opportunity and singles makeup almost 48% of the population. If you’re looking for a partner, it is a really good state to start in. You can go apple picking in autumn, and you can attend some carnivals in the fall.

This place has some very beautiful landscapes as well.

Here are some stunning cities for singles in Arkansas.

Arkansas

  1. Hot Springs has some very beautiful and enchanting locations where you might bump into some special people. It has amazing nightlife as well. The place has some really good sports bars and cosy cocktail hangout spots.
  2. Little Rock he is an amazing city for singles who are on the lookout to mingle. The population of this capital city is one of the main reasons why there are a lot of single men and women in Little Rock.

I don’t feel that online dating is definitely the path to finding true love in Arkansas. Online dating and some other apps will provide you with a medium through which you can have some meaningful interactions. This is especially useful if you are new to Arkansas. That is why, I suggest eHarmony as it is an amazing platform that works for love.

It is a fantastic side that matches you with people who are of your wavelength.

7 Incredible Things You Can Do in Arkansas

Incredible Things

Arkansas is a southern state in America that is known for its natural beauty, wilderness, hot springs, rivers, mountains, and caves. If you are planning to visit Arkansas with your family, here are the top ten things that you can do in Arkansas.

 Visit Anthony Chapel

The Anthony Chapel is one of America’s best wedding locations. This building is located deep in the Garvan Woodland Gardens, surrounded by hot springs. It is a place to be at for accumulating peace unless there is a wedding function happening. Usually, Anthony Chapel is booked every week for a wedding.

Anthony Chapel

Dine at Doe’s Eat Place

After the presidential campaign of 1992, this quiet and comfortable dining place in Little Rock became famous as the hangout spot for Bill Clinton and his team. The restaurant chef from the time of the campaign confirms that Clinton’s favorite dish was jalapeno cheeseburgers with tomato, lettuce, mayonnaise, and onions. You can still eat the same cheeseburger at Doe’s Eat Place for under $10.

Stand on the edge of the world

Hawksbill Crag is among the most scenic locations in Arkansas, known for its forest walls and beautiful Buffalo River scenery. It is also a popular place for proposals. The best time to visit the place is early morning when there will be fewer tourists, and you can enjoy more of this beautiful place.

Try out the Arkansas possum pie

Possum pie is a specialty of Arkansas and definitely does not contain possum meat. It is made with pecans, chocolate, cream, and custard. Topped with cream cheese, this pie is something you cannot miss out on trying when you are there. Take it a step further and explore possum pies from different towns in Arkansas.

Visit the underground waterfall

This amazing waterfall is located in the Ozarks National Park. It is one of the natural wonders in Arkansas that you cannot miss out on. A creek running through the park has drilled a hole through a rock. It has formed a 30ft-high waterfall that runs under into a cave below the ground level. The best time to visit here is after heavy rainfall.

Visit the supermarket museum

This unique Walmart Museum in Bentonville is something that can be part of your itinerary as you are passing through. This supermarket museum contains the history of Walmart, explaining how it became the world’s largest company. You can find the Spark Café soda fountain and the ice cream at the museum as the top attractions.

Stay at the most haunted hotel

The Crescent Hotel & Spa in Eureka Springs is known to be the most haunted hotel in the country. It was once a cancer treatment center run by a crook doctor. Today it is said to have the ghosts of the patients and the medical staff. You can stay a night at the hotel and see if you can experience anything supernatural.

Visitors To the Crater of Diamond State Park Large Diamonds

State Park

Visitors found two large diamonds while exploring the Crater of Diamond State Park. It is one of the only few places in the US where the public can search for diamonds in the original volcanic source. The secretary, Stacy Hurst, says that this park is one of the state’s unique attractions. She has had several reports of visitors finding gems. The staff at the park is cooperative to help the guests work with the gems they find. They provide the information for the gem their visitors find and record their stories of how they found them.

Serendipity Diamond – 12th largest since 1972

Dr. Mindy Pomtree from Benton was on her trip to the park in June when she found her diamond. She spotted something glittering on top of the ground when she was near Beatty’s Hill. She first did not know what it was, so she kept it in her zipper and continued to search. However, she knew she had found something good. “I kept feeling of my pocket throughout the day to make sure it was still there,” says Mindy.

State Park

After returning home, Mindy took her shiny little stone to a jeweler who broke the news that she has found an amazing genuine diamond. Park Superintendent Caleb Howell connected with Mindy and arranged for her return to get the diamond weighed and registered. Howell confirms that she has found one of the biggest (12th largest) diamonds that has ever been found in the park since 1972. With a weight of 6.39 carats, this diamond is the size of a pumpkin seed.

2.73-carat diamond

Willian David Dempsey from Athens, Alaska, was very keen on coming to the Crater of Diamonds State Park after hearing several stories of people finding their own diamonds. He had been planning for it for over 30 years. Demsey says then he was sifting some gravel on the ground when he spotted the diamond. His son came to tell him that lunch was ready when they both spotted the diamond shining in the gravel. Dempsey found his diamond near the site where another large diamond named the Strawn-Wagner was discovered in 1990. Demsey chose to name his gem the Dempsey-Ducharme Diamond as a tribute to his experience with his family at the park. He has plans to get his diamond examined before deciding whether he will keep it or sell it.

The diamonds discovered at the Crater of Diamonds State Park come in different colors and sizes, but the most common colors for diamonds are white, brown, and yellow. Over 75,000 diamonds have been unearthed at the park ever since the first diamond was discovered in 1906 by John Huddleston. John Huddleston has a farm in the area where the park is situated today. The largest diamond ever found in the park was Uncle Sam, which weighed 40.23 carats.

Sports Betting Guide for Arkansas

Sports Betting

Arkansas is one of the US states that allow sports betting. It was the decision made based on the votes that approved the constitutional amendment. The state permits people to bet on sports, while all the legal bets must be made in-person at the licensed betting locations. Arkansas amended the state’s constitution to permit four casino licenses in 2018, which allowed the sports bets. Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort became the first location to host sports bet in July 2019. Southland Park in West Memphis also opened its sportsbook to take bets on Super Bowl. After the amendment, these two locations were granted the license to create full-scale casinos that will also provide structural updates and new gaming options.

Casino Resort

The latest casino facility is in Jefferson County, which is estimated to open by the end of 2020. The fourth and final facility will be in Pope County, but it is still going through the legal process between the local officials and casino stakeholders. Until its approval, there will be three options for people to place their bets on all types of sports.

The Arkansas Casino Gaming Amendment did not mention mobile betting platforms while announcing their decision. It only means that until any further notice, there will not be any mobile betting platforms and betting sites available to the users. All the bets will be made live at sports betting counters. Any bets taking place outside the above three mentioned facilities will be considered illegal. This number will become four once Pope County gets its dispute solved and gets added to the list.

Legalization of sports betting in Arkansas

Sports betting was first approved with a public referendum in November 2018 after Issue 4 was passed by voters. Colorado became the second state after Arkansas to do the same. The voters in Arkansas approved sports betting at the Oaklawn Racing Casino. It is the top racing track in the state and hosts Arkansas Derby every April.

The Saracen Casino Resort in Jefferson County also hosts a casino and sports betting resort run by Quapaw Nation. The casino resort has been approved by the racing commission and was opened in 2019. The complete casino opened in June 2020. The first bet in Oaklawn Racing Casino was taken in July 2019, making it the first legal bet to ever get placed in Arkansas.

sports betting

The process of making sports betting legal in Arkansas is now recent. The Arkansas state constitution mentioned gaming once to mention that lotteries are banned. It implied that all other types of gaming are allowed. Betting on horse races was first legalized in 1929. In 1967, the authorities had to shut down the illegal gambling operations running in Arkansas by criminal organizations. Arkansas later also approved the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery Act under the Arkansas Lottery Commission in 2008.

Arkansas and the Presidential Election

Presidential Election

We are all aware of how the Presidential election turned out to be and how the outcome went ahead to upset the current President. While the Trump administration continues to deny the result, there is not much they can do in terms of claiming it all back. Due to that, the results have been declared, and America will now have a new President. But if we were to look into specific states, especially Arkansas, the result wasn’t something that we expected. People went ahead to take a different turn, and here’s what you need to know about the same.

The Presidential Race Through Arkansas

While there wasn’t an official deadline to mail a ballot in Arkansas, the suggested date was October 27th, and all the Ballots were supposed to be received by November 3rd. Thanks to that, counting was started in the right order, and everything went ahead to work fine. Voters in Arkansas were given the option to choose between mail-in ballot or vote early in-person. As top statistics suggest, around 87% chose to vote in-person compared to 13% who went ahead with the mail-in option.

The State of the Republican

By all means, one can classify Arkansas to be a Republican stronghold as Trump was declared the winner, and the people wanted him to be President. While Trump took the lead with 62.4%, Biden was far behind with 34.8%. Yes, that’s right. The Republican party enjoys strong support from Arkansas, and it is not a new phenomenon to enter the public domain. Back in 2016, Trump received 60% of votes from Arkansas, while Hillary Clinton could only manage 34%.

The case was the same in 2012 when Barack Obama received 36.9% of the votes, and Mitt Romney got about 60.6%. This particular trend has always been a part of the picture, and there is nothing new to talk about it. In fact, the last democratic candidates to win in Arkansas were Jimmy Carter in 1976 and Bill Clinton in 1992 and 1996. Even the mail-in ballots requested for the Democratic party stood still at 33%, while the Grand-old Party received about 52%.

The Senate Elections

Senate Elections

When it comes to the Senate elections, Arkansas continues to project the same image. Republican candidate Tom Cotton received 66.5% of the vote, while Ricky Harrington received about 33.5%. Despite all this, the results went ahead in favour of the Democrats, and that might not have been pleasing for the people of Arkansas. But since election results are always about the majority, one can clearly say that the majority has voted and made their voice clear about the situation.

Hence, that was a simple take on the state of Arkansas and how it voted for the election.

Sports News from the State of Arkansas

Sports News

If you have been a sports enthusiast, you might be following the news and keeping yourself updated with everything. But if you haven’t, then we are here to set things straight with sports news from Arkansas. As the year comes to a close, a few exciting events are turning up, and you don’t want to miss out on the same. So here is all the top sports news from the state of Arkansas.

Sports

The Texas Bowl: The Razorbacks vs. TCU

Concluding the year in style calls for a small celebration, and that can be achieved in the form of a match between the Razorbacks and TCU. Scheduled to play on 31st December at NRG Stadium in Houston, the game will begin at 7 and will also be televised by ESPN. The game is going to be interesting because both the teams hadn’t met each other ever since 2017 when TCU took over the game with figures like 28-7. Before that, Arkansas came strong in 2016 with double overtime and figures of 41-3. Due to all that, this specific game is one that you don’t want to miss.

With a three winning streak, TCS has entered the bowl game in style, and nothing seems to be stopping their victory run. On the other hand, Arkansas has entered the bowl game for the very first time since 2016, and this year’s bowl game will be the Razorbacks 43rd in program history. Due to that, there will be a lot of pressure on both sides, and everyone wants to give the people a perfect adieu to a devastating year known as 2020.

The Razorbacks and Oral Roberts

With a career-high of 17 rebounds, Justin Smith scored 22 points, and Arkansas had a huge second half to beat Oral Roberts in Sunday’s match. Although there was a rebounding advantage of 58-32 and a 57-point second half, Oral Roberts was not easy to defeat. The last 84 seconds had various moments where Arkansas’ Desi Sills fouled Francis Lacis with his 3-point shot attempt, which eventually sent him to the foul line. Towards halftime, Oral Roberts took the lead and made use of Arkansas’ 30% shooting, which also included 14 misses.

Razorbacks

However, soon after the break, Arkansas got time to settle and used its advantage to take control of things and made 20 of 37 and went ahead to shoot eight 3s. Kevin Obanir also scored 21 points with 10 rebounds for the Eagles.

Conclusion

From the Texas Bowl to Razorbacks challenge to Oral Roberts, there is a lot happening in the state of Kansas. So stay tuned to grab more of the action and experience the world of sports in style.

The Best Places to Visit in Arkansas

Best Places

The state of Arkansas is known for being a haven for tourists as they go about venturing into the city to visit various destinations. As a culturally rich and diverse state, exploring Arkansas will help you get used to the experience, and you will be glad about the same. But you need to know more about the places, including the best ones you need to visit. So to hit you with such information, here are the best places to visit in Arkansas.

Little Rock Central High School Historic Site

Starting your trip with a visit to a historic site is the best way to get your history lessons for the day. Moreover, Little Rock Central High School was a place where the army had to escort nine black teenagers for their first day at school, back in 1957. This particular event is being celebrated as an essential moment in the history of the Civil Rights Movement. Apart from being historic. The school is still going strong on education, with more than 2,500 students receiving the lessons of life.

Buffalo National River

Buffalo National River

If you’re in the mood for experiencing nature at its best, then the Buffalo National River needs to be your pick. It is an unpolluted and free-flowing river that also has designated wilderness areas nearby. It is home to deer, bobcats, and other wildlife that have chosen the place for the best. Apart from that, you can also engage in activities around the place, and some of them include camping, horseback riding, canoes, hiking, and so on. Due to that, a visit to Buffalo National River is a complete experience that you will love.

Hot Springs National Park

Although the Hot Springs National Park was established in 1921, it has had visitors for much longer. The hot springs have always been a vital source of interest, and American Indians even believed that it has healing properties. Paying a visit to the park will help you understand the different attractions that it has as you can proceed to perform a number of activities inside the park. With a touch of history and the classic experience of hot springs, this is a park that you need to visit.

Arkansas Air Museum

As the name suggests, Arkansas Air Museum is a place that displays racing planes, big planes of the 1920s and 30s. It also contains information regarding the history of military aviation, thus helping you venture into a whole new world. Apart from that, the place also has a few permanent exhibits that include many military ground vehicles and various other artifacts. To make matters all the more impressive, one will also find a tribute to Louise McPhetridge, the second-most famous American female pilot.