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Online Sports Betting in
Arizona
Legal sports betting in Arizona has finally been legalized in 2021. This time the state’s tribes were on board.
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Where to bet on sports in Arizona
Online sports betting will soon come to bettors in Arizona. Governor Doug Ducey signed bill HB 2772 after previously voicing his support for regulated sportsbooks in the Grand Canyon State. The bill gives tribal casinos and major sports franchises the option to launch sports wagering products and services on or near their premises. Sports betting license holders will also be allowed to partner with online sportsbooks to offer state-wide mobile sports betting.
While there are still some hurdles to clear, the Arizona Department of Gaming has stated that it expects to have a regulatory framework and licenses issued by the 9th of September, the day before the NFL season begins and three days before the Arizona Cardinals play the Tennessee Titans.
In fact, some of the country’s biggest sportsbook operators have already made deals with tribes and sports franchises, and groups to launch as soon as they’re given the green light.
Industry experts predict that Arizona could be home to one of the most robust sports betting markets in the country with some estimating that the market could be worth anywhere from $30 million – $100 million in state revenue.
Details about the forthcoming local sportsbooks
Lawmakers decided to allow professional sports stadiums and tribal casinos to host sportsbooks on or near their premises.
There are seven professional sports venues in the state (primarily located in or near Phoenix) and 24 tribal casinos located all across the state. In a fully mature market, this would put the total number of land-based sportsbooks in Arizona to 31. However, different tribes have different views on sports betting, so there is a chance that some will opt out.
Sporting organizations that are expected to apply for one of the 10 available licenses include the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, Arizona Coyotes, Phoenix Suns, and NASCAR.
The USPGA has already announced its intention to open a retail sportsbook in Arizona at TPC Scottsdale following a partnership agreement with DraftKings. This could, in theory, make DraftKings one of the first retail sportsbooks to launch within the state.
Until the market launches on September 9th, 2021, sports fans looking for in-person sportsbooks in AZ will have to travel across state lines to either Nevada, New Mexico, or Colorado.
Arizona sports betting websites and apps
There are currently no Arizona sports betting apps available for use. But, following the recent approval of the state’s sports betting legislation and the newly agreed tribal gaming compacts, all that is about to change.
Major sports franchises and professional sports groups can apply for one of the 10 available sportsbook licenses while all tribal casinos will also be allowed to apply for their own license. Each license issued also allows the holder in question to partner with a sportsbook operator to launch mobile sports betting across the state.
The Quechan Tribe of Arizona has already taken steps to partner with Kindred Group which could mean that Unibet will be among the first to launch mobile sports betting in Arizona. The same could be said for the USPGA’s deal with DraftKings to launch a sportsbook at TPC Scottsdale.
Other major brands that we fully expect to join the Arizona market include FanDuel, William Hill, and PointsBet among others.
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Arizona sports betting FAQs
Can I bet on the Arizona Wildcats or Arizona State Sun Devils?
Yes, betting on the Arizona Wildcats or Arizona State Sun Devils is legal when using state-regulated sportsbooks. Those sportsbooks should launch by September 9th 2021.
What is the legal age to bet on sports in Arizona?
The legal age to bet on sports in Arizona is set at 21 years of age or older.
When did Arizona legalize sports betting?
Arizona sports betting was officially legalized on April 15, 2021. The proposed launch date for the market is September 9th 2021.
What will be the size of the Arizona sports betting market?
Supporters of the industry have previously estimated that a mature AZ sports betting market could bring in $100 million annually. However, state legislature budget analysts predict a more realistic figure in the region of $40 million.
Will there be mobile sports betting in Arizona?
Yes, each of the licenses issued to tribal casinos or sporting organizations will allow the holder to partner with a sportsbook operator in order to launch mobile sports betting across the state.
Arizona sports betting timeline
Arizona sports betting has been in the works for years now, dating back to the first legislative session after the repeal of PASPA.
The one obstacle that has stood in the way of legalization has been tribal opposition. Given how much leverage the tribes hold in the state’s gambling market, it makes it almost impossible to pass any gambling expansion bills without their blessing.
But, after three years, that blessing has finally arrived.
2019 — A new Betting Bill is Introduced
The year began with Senator Sonny Borrelli introducing SB 1158 in the state Senate in January.
The bill began with support among most of the tribes as it would give them exclusive access to operate sports betting in AZ. However, as amendments were made to the bill, the addition of off-reservation sports betting kiosks left some tribes feeling hard done by.
Many of the state’s smaller tribes wanted to keep sports betting in their on-reservation casinos as a way to keep money within their communities.
As a result, the bill didn’t gain any traction within the Senate, leaving legislators empty-handed that year.
2020 — COVID-19 Halts Legislative Sessions
The year began with SB 1525 aiming to give the tribes control over sports betting. However, it also opened the door for sports betting kiosks to operate outside of tribal reservations. It too failed to make any progress in the state legislature.
The bill that did manage to make it on the House floor in March of that year was AZ HB 2813.
The bill had the same issue of allowing horse racing tracks outside of tribal lands to operate sports betting. However, before it could be amended any further, COVID-19 suspended the legislative session. When lawmakers returned, sports betting was no longer considered a priority and the bill failed to receive any votes.
2021 — Betting Gets Gov Ducey’s Support
The year began with Governor Ducey publicly stating his support for legal sports betting in Arizona.
That shortly followed with two sports betting bills, SB 1794 in the Senate and HB 2772 in the House.
They were practically identical in that they would only allow for sportsbooks at tribal casinos and at professional sports stadiums. They would also allow for statewide mobile sports betting sites through partnerships with the tribal casinos and professional sports franchises.
However, one significant difference came in the Senate. Instead of moving a stand-alone sports betting bill to the Senate floor, the issue was instead tacked onto a bill that would legalize Historical Horse Racing (HHR) machines.
Tribes have been opposed to HHR machines in the past as they argue that they resemble slot machines which would violate the current compact they have with the state government.
HB 2772 was able to clear its legislative chamber, pass the Senate, and sent to Governor Doug Ducey who happily signed it into law on April 15, 2021.
May 2021 — Work Starts on Setting up a Regulatory Framework
The newly agreed tribal gaming compacts were published in the Federal Register in May 2021.
The Department of Gaming is now working on drafting rules and regulations for the industry and will open a one-week comment period starting on June 14th. Following the comment period, the department will begin the process of taking applications for sportsbook licenses.
A proposed launch date of September 9th has been finalized with the department hoping that sportsbooks at both tribal casinos and the state’s major sports franchises will be in a position to start accepting bets on that day.