Arizona Online Gambling
With the passing of SB 1797 in April 2021, online sports betting arrived in Arizona on the opening day of the 2021 NFL Season, September 9, 2021. Through partnerships between operators and tribal casinos or professional sports franchises, sportsbooks can offer wagering on a range of popular US sports.
The Grand Canyon State now has a robust market with 15 licensed operators available to local bettors. The state is even home to sportsbooks on-site at sports venues, with TPC Scottsdale, State Farm Stadium, and the Footprint Center each hosting a retail sportsbook.
Within state lines, Arizona bettors can also engage in land-based casino games, pari-mutuel horse racing betting, and purchase state lottery tickets. However, online casino gaming and online poker networks have yet to be legalized. Plus, lawmakers have not made any serious attempts to pass legislation for these gambling verticals.
This comprehensive guide will examine the state’s position on online gambling, including sports betting and iGaming. We’ll also look at some of the best Arizona gambling sites and answer a few commonly asked questions on Arizona online gambling.
Best Arizona Gambling Sites
Looking for the best Arizona online gambling sites? You’ve come to the right place. Our expert review team has thoroughly evaluated each gambling operator based on various factors, including user-friendliness, mobile compatibility, payment methods, and bonuses. Browse our list of top-rated Arizona gambling sites and click any link on this page to start wagering in the Grand Canyon State today.
Is Online Gambling Legal in Arizona?
Arizona is considered one of the more gambling-friendly states in the US, with various retail and online options available for players. In September 2021, sports betting was legalized in Arizona, both in-person and online, allowing players to place legal wagers on their favorite sports teams and markets.
While online casino gaming and poker networks have yet to be legalized in Arizona, the state offers plenty of land-based casinos and poker rooms. In fact, there are over two dozen brick-and-mortar casinos spread throughout the state, including popular tribal gambling locations like Talking Stick Resort & Casino, Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, and Casino Del Sol Resort & Casino. Players have also been able to enjoy horse racing betting since 1935, the state lottery since 1980, and charitable gambling.
Arizona Gambling History
The history of gambling in Arizona dates back to 1935, when lawmakers officially legalized horse racing. In 1980, the state lottery was launched through a ballot initiative. In 1992, tribal authorities signed compacts to permit Class III gaming on reservations, establishing the state’s first casinos and legalizing land-based casino games and poker.
After several failed attempts, the state legalized sports betting and DFS on April 15, 2021, with the launch of Arizona Sports Betting on September 9, 2021. Below is a timeline of the major developments in Arizona’s gambling history.
- 1935 – Arizona lawmakers legalize pari-mutuel horse racing, and two years later, the first racetrack in the Grand Canyon State opens.
- November 4, 1980 – Voters approve a ballot initiative, Proposition 200, to launch a state lottery in Arizona by a 51/49% margin.
- 1992 – Governor Fife Symington signs the first of 16 compacts with tribal authorities to permit Class III gaming on reservations, launching the state’s first casinos and legalizing land-based casino games and poker.
- May 14, 2018 – The US Supreme Court repeals the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), returning the power to legalize and regulate sports betting to the states.
- January 23, 2019 – State Senators Sonny Borrelli, Leo Biasiucci, and Mark Finchem introduce a bill to the Senate, SB 1158, to legalize sports betting at liquor retailers. The bill fails to receive support and dies.
- February 4, 2020 – Senators Borelli and Steve Pierce introduce a new bill, SB 1525, which would permit the state to license tribal casinos to offer sports wagering through kiosks at locations with a liquor license. Once again, the bill does not receive support from Senators.
- February 3, 2021 – A new bill, SB 1797, is introduced by Senators Borelli and Thomas Slope and Representative Jeff Weninger. The bill allows online and retail sports betting through partnerships with tribal casinos and sports franchises and legalizes daily fantasy sports (DFS). The bill passed both houses of the Arizona Legislature.
- April 15, 2021 – Governor Doug Ducey signs SB 1797 into law, legalizing sports betting and DFS in the Grand Canyon State.
- July 26, 2021 – The Arizona Department of Gaming releases regulations for sportsbooks in the state. It also opens a two-week window for operators to apply for a license.
- September 9, 2021 – Arizona Sports Betting launches on the opening day of the 2021 NFL Season.
- February 3, 2022 – Senator Sally Ann Gonzales introduced SB 1674 to increase the permitted number of operators in the state from 10 to 23, but the bill doesn’t receive support.
- September 9, 2022 – BetMGM opens a sportsbook at State Farm Stadium, home of Arizona Cardinals, on the first anniversary of legal sports betting in the state.
- February 12, 2023 – State Farm Stadium hosts Super Bowl LVII, becoming the first stadium with an on-site sportsbook to host the NFL championship game.
- April 28, 2023 – FanDuel opens a retail sportsbook at the Footprint Center, home of the Phoenix Suns.
- October 28, 2023 – DraftKings opens a retail sportsbook at TPC Scottsdale, the first sportsbook at the major golf course.
Legal Gambling Options in Arizona
To help you understand the legal status of various forms of gambling in Arizona, we have compiled the handy table below detailing whether a specific type of gambling is allowed and when the state legalized it. Please note that the legal status of gambling in Arizona is subject to change, so it’s always best to check with the relevant authorities before placing bets.
| Type of Gambling | Legal? | When Legalized? |
| Online Casinos | No | N/A |
| Land-Based Casinos | Yes | 1992 |
| Online Poker | No | N/A |
| Land-Based Poker | Yes | 1992 |
| Online Sports Betting | Yes | 2021 |
| Retail Sports Betting | Yes | 2021 |
| Daily Fantasy Sports | Yes | 2021 |
| Horse Racing | Yes | 1935 |
| Lottery | Yes | 1980 |
| Charitable Gambling | Yes | N/A |
Sports Betting
Sports betting has been legal in Arizona since September 2021, after lawmakers passed SB 1797, legalizing sports betting in-person and online. The launch of AZ sports betting coincided with the beginning of the 2021 NFL Season.
SB 1797 allowed tribal casinos and sports franchises to partner with sportsbooks to gain betting licenses, meaning that three sports venues could host sportsbooks within the grounds. These include State Farm Stadium, the Footprint Center, and TPC Scottsdale. You must be over 21 to place wagers at retail sportsbooks or use Arizona sports betting sites.
Online Casino
Online casino games are not yet legal in the Grand Canyon State. However, the state is home to over two dozen land-based tribal casinos which offer slot machines and table games. Sweepstakes casinos, which offer free-to-play casino-style games that don’t require you to deposit, are also available and accept players throughout Arizona. While online casino gaming could be legalized in the future, lawmakers have yet to make a serious effort to pass legislation.
Poker
Online poker is not available in Arizona, but the state’s tribal casinos offer several varieties of poker at land-based venues. Like online casinos, no serious attempt has been made to legalize online poker networks in the Grand Canyon State, although this could change in future legislation. For land-based poker, you must be over 18 to enter and play poker in some tribal casinos, although most require you to be over 21.
Daily Fantasy Sports
SB 1797, the legislation signed by Governor Doug Ducey to legalize sports betting, also legalized daily fantasy sports (DFS) in Arizona. Major operators like FanDuel and DraftKings accept contest entries from Arizona, providing players are over 21 and within state lines.
Lottery
In November 1980, voters narrowly passed a public initiative to found a state lottery to support public programs, founding the Arizona Lottery. Currently, the Arizona Lottery is a member of the Multi-State Lottery Association and offers a range of games and scratchers alongside national draws, Mega Millions, and Powerball. To play, Arizona requires players to be at least 21, although the age was 18 until June 1, 2003.
Retail Sportsbooks
In early 2021, the Arizona legislature approved retail sports betting, allowing residents over the age of 21 to bet on sports at physical sportsbooks in the state. In September 2021, FanDuel Sportsbook became the first to open a retail sportsbook in Arizona at the Footprint Center.
Retail sports betting in Arizona is permitted through partnerships with tribal casinos and sports franchises, so some sportsbooks in the states are owned by tribal casinos, while others are operated by sports venues and professional sports teams.
Land-Based Casinos
In 1988, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act was passed by Congress, which led to the legalization of land-based casino games in Arizona in 1992. This move was followed by the signing of compacts by Governor Symington and his successor Jane Hull, which granted Native American tribes the right to operate slot machines and casino-style games, and also laid down regulations for gaming activities at these venues.
Over time, these compacts have been amended to include new Class III casino games such as roulette, craps, baccarat, and more, thereby expanding the range of gaming options available at these establishments.
Sweepstakes Casinos
AZ residents looking to play online casino games can do so at sweepstakes casinos, which are completely legal in the state. Sweepstakes casinos offer similar games to those found at real-money sites, except players will use virtual currency rather than real money. However, they still have the opportunity to win real money prizes, offering a great alternative while real money online casinos are not legal in Arizona.
How are Gambling Sites Regulated in Arizona?
The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) is a state government regulatory agency, responsible for regulating gambling in Arizona, including sites that offer online sports betting and DFS. The ADG is responsible for issuing licenses, establishing rules, and ensuring operators comply with the law, to ensure AZ customers are kept safe as they gamble online.
Responsible Gambling in Arizona
Arizona has many resources to help players struggling with problem gambling. The state’s Department of Gaming offers a centralized problem gambling hub with treatment, counseling, and prevention information and resources.
The state also maintains two self-exclusion lists. The first is a casino self-exclusion list, allowing you to exclude yourself from gambling at retail sportsbooks. Then there’s the Event Wagering & Fantasy Sports (EWFS) exclusion list, preventing you from placing wagers or entering DFS contests at any licensed facility or any Arizona sports betting site.
In addition, Arizona gambling operators are required to implement responsible gambling tools on their platforms, including deposit, session, and loss limits. They must also provide contact details for third-party platforms and organizations designed to alleviate problem gambling. We’ve listed some links to third-party organizations below.
- National Council on Problem Gambling
- Gamblers Anonymous
- Arizona Department of Gaming – Problem Gambling Hub
FAQs
Is online gambling legal in Arizona?
It is! Online sports betting has been legal in Arizona since Governor Doug Ducey signed HB 2772 in April 2021. Sports betting launched in the state in September 2021, the opening day of the NFL season.
Can I bet on sports in Arizona?
Yes, bettors in Arizona can wager on sports in person, online, and via their mobile devices. The first sportsbooks launched in the Grand Canyon State in 2021 for those over 21. AZ has a robust market for sports betting sites, with over 15 operators going live already.
Does Arizona have any online casinos?
No, Arizona has not yet launched online casinos. Lawmakers have yet to pass any gambling legislation concerning online casinos.
Is DFS legal in Arizona?
DFS games were legalized in Arizona in April 2021, alongside online and retail sports betting, when Governor Doug Ducey signed SB 1797 into law. Popular DFS operators like FanDuel and DraftKings are now available in the state, allowing players to participate in DFS games anywhere in Arizona.
Are Arizona online gambling sites safe?
Arizona online gambling sites licensed by the Arizona Department of Gaming are secure for players in the state. The regulatory body has rigorous licensing standards, ensuring that all online gambling sites comply with high standards of player safety.
Do I have to pay taxes on gambling winnings in Arizona?
Arizona classes gambling winnings as taxable income, with state income taxes ranging from 2.59% to 4.50%. Bettors are required to declare any gambling winnings on their income tax return.
