Author:
Ashley
Last Updated:
02/10/2024
Topic:
US States
Experiences:
CA born, casino expert
Topic:
US States
Experiences:
CA born, casino expert
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At Las Vegas How-To, we have researched the online Arizona gambling site landscape to get you the most up-to-date information. We will be looking at the complex legislation that surrounds gambling within Arizona, and how to go about choosing the best online gambling site for the long run.
Celebrating the win on sportsbook betting which took place back in 2021, we are keeping our eyes peeled for our readers and will notify any future changes right here! So, buckle up and read on for some top tips and our easy-to-digest breakdown of AZ gambling legislation.
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If you’re reading this article, you must be interested in online gambling in Arizona. Arizona has a unique gambling history and things, and it should be an exciting future for online gambling fans as more legislation continues to be passed.
This article is intended for those in Arizona trying to understand the current online gambling sites landscape and status on when they can expect to place bets from the comfort of their homes.
This article is intended for new bettors as well as experienced handicappers. There is plenty to be excited about if you are an online gambling fan in Arizona, as what was once thought impossible is now about to become a reality.
Before COVID-19, Arizona was not on the radar as a possible candidate for online gambling legalization.
Arizona has had one of the most flexible gambling laws in the country for brick-and-mortar casinos, thanks to the Native American Casinos. In 1988, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act was passed to help encourage economic development.
The IGRA gave states and tribal governments the power to regulate Class 3 gaming-which gave them the right to include slots and other casino-type games.
In the early 1990s, many of the tribes began to install slot machines in their casinos. They ran into issues with the Arizona Governor, as they did not have compacts with the state to operate off-reservation.
This led to a three-week standoff between the FBI and the Fort McDowell Casino in Scottsdale, where eventually, the FBI was able to seize over 750 electronic game machines.
Eventually, there were compacts made with the 17 tribes by 1998, which gave the tribes the rights to operate slots and casino gaming as long as they adhered to the internal control standards.
So while there was plenty of change through the late 1990s, there has been very little news in the last 20 years until the recent Arizona online gambling news.
With the Covid-19 pandemic severely impacting state budgets, online sports betting was thrust into the forefront to compensate for lost revenue.
The online sports betting legislation was contested strongly and underwent multiple revisions, and was once seen dead due to a typo. There were also issues over what venues would have rights to specific licenses. Finally, after a few weeks of negotiations, an agreement was made to legalize AZ online sports betting.
In April 2021, the House and Senate passed the bill to help make Arizona Online sportsbooks legal. Governor Doug Ducey signed the sports betting bill, and bookmakers are trying to be up and running for the fall of 2021. Unfortunately, real money online casinos in AZ remain illegal under state law. However, sweepstakes and social casinos are legal.
After the change in legalization of sports betting in Arizona back in 2023, sportsbook operators worked hard to get set up to start taking bets as quickly as possible. This scenario starkly contrasts the state of gambling in Texas, where the government was in no hurry to introduce betting or casino games.
The bill approved 20 online operators to split evenly between sports organizations and Native American Tribes.
The big sports teams like the Arizona Cardinals, Arizona Coyotes, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Phoenix Suns will all have the ability to open on-site sportsbooks at their facilities. They will also partner with popular gaming platforms like DraftKings, BetMGM, or FanDuel.
The sportsbook inside the stadium could bring a unique experience to attending games in person. You can add to the excitement of watching the game by placing a wager on your favorite team before or during the event.
The popular TPC Scottsdale and the Phoenix Raceway also opened sportsbooks and partnered with online operators.
The sports betting bill was approved for emergency authorization, which meant that the license processing time was fast tracked, a process that typically takes up to 18 months in other states.
Sports betting fans in Arizona that were used to driving up to Las Vegas to bet on their favorite team are now able to do it in the comfort of their home state. The introduction of online sports betting was designed with the economy in mind, much like ho VA online gambling sites boosted revenues in Virginia.
With the number of options available when it comes to online gambling in Arizona, it can be difficult to keep up. We at Las Vegas How-To put together a list of things to be on the lookout for to give you the best gambling experience in Arizona:
At Las Vegas How-To, we consider many things to help give Arizona residents the best possible gaming experience. We want to ensure that Arizona residents get the best possible information on the existing Arizona online gambling options to help them find a long-term betting home
Here are some of the things we factor into our recommendations:
The more payment options there are, Arizona bettors will have a better user experience. Check if the platform you are considering using has ACH, Wire, and Cash withdrawal options at the Casino. E-Wallets and player cards are growing in popularity and are another payment option to look for. The more diverse the payment options are typically a perfect sign. We take that as an additional customer-first oriented decision the casino makes to try and win your online gambling Arizona business.
The brick-and-mortar Arizona Casinos will typically be up on all applicable licenses as Arizona law requires. Be wary of any new Arizona Casinos that seem to have popped up out of nowhere. Additionally, if you come across a gambling site that looks interesting, but has questions about whether or not the state approves them, check with the Arizona Department of Gaming to be sure. The Arizona Department of Gaming website has a ton of great information on licensed casino options and up-to-date information on online Arizona gambling sites that are on the horizon.
Most of the big operators will provide significant bonuses and promotion opportunities. As online gambling in Arizona grows, look for bonuses incentivizing mobile participation. The operators will aggressively capture market share as online gaming legislation evolves to try and win your business. Be sure to take advantage of the AZ online casino bonus codes out there and check across multiple sites to compare the options to take advantage of the promos. There is no better time to take advantage of the promotions than during the first couple of years as the big casino brands fight for online gambling market share.
With sports betting becoming legalized in Arizona, tribal casinos will be partnering with different online sports betting platforms. Stay on top of the Arizona online gambling news to see how the licenses shake out. If you have used sites like DraftKings and FanDuel in other states, you may want to wait to commit to one tribal casino as your casino of choice until the partnerships are announced. An online gambling operator that invests in a great user interface and experience on mobile is one thing to keep an eye out for, as that will give you the most convenience as an Arizona online gambling fan.
Choosing an operator is a big decision that you should put some thought into. Similar to how people stick with one airline or hotel chain over the other to maximize the benefits of their point programs, the same logic is applied to picking a casino operator in Arizona.
Here at Las Vegas How-To, we recommend visiting each tribal casino in person for a first-hand experience. While online betting in Arizona became all the rage when the bill was approved, keep in mind that each of the online sports betting platforms will be partnered with a Casino, so you want to make sure that you are happy with the in-person experience as well.
Here are a few other tips:
Most people hate reading terms and conditions, but when you are choosing a Casino partner, it can help you make the best long-term decisions. You may not even be aware of most of the things you will run into on your casino journey, so the T&Cs will cover most of the things you wouldn’t have thought about, like bankruptcy, power outages, etc.
The tribal casinos throughout Arizona tend to attract different types of crowds at different times. If you are a nighttime gambler, you probably want to stick to one of the tribal casinos in Scottsdale, as they will most likely have the biggest variety of games due to Scottsdale’s active nightlife scene. If you prefer a casual place to place bets after work or during your lunch break, check out some of the smaller tribal casino locations.
If you are going to be an active sports bettor, you want to make sure there are live streaming options available so you can keep an eye on the big game. Some casinos are still behind in this area. With online sports betting becoming legal, check with the different casinos to see who is making the biggest investment in the sports betting streaming capabilities.
With sports betting allowed in Arizona, it is exciting to be in the Grand Canyon state. Online sportsbooks in Arizona are hungry to win your business, so take advantage of all the deals available out there by keeping up to date with market trends and your favorite casino’s promotions.
Here at Las Vegas How-To, we will keep you updated with all the latest promotions and top tips to help you increase your chances of winning at your favorite sportsbook site. In addition, we stay on top of any legislative updates and break them down in an easy-to-understand fashion, so be sure to check back with us! P.S. We also cover many other states – such as our latest AZ online casino bonus guide!