
Author:
Ashley
Last Updated:
11/04/2025
Topic:
US States
Experiences:
CA born, casino expert
Topic:
US States
Experiences:
CA born, casino expert
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Arizona is a state that has been in the news lately on the betting front. They’ve had an interesting year with significant headway being made for both online casinos and sports betting sites.
Online sports betting should be legal by the beginning of football season, which will allow bets to happen very shortly, while online casino legislation continues to make strides. We researched all available information out there so we could bring our readers Las Vegas How-To’s most up-to-date guide on where one might want to start when choosing from among the best online casinos.
This page is for every resident of Arizona who’s interested in online gambling. Maybe it’s a passion you share with friends and family, or it may be something that’s just for you. Whatever your gaming style, we aim to give you the answers you need, as well as pointing out the things you need to watch out for.
There are plenty of upcoming prospects on the horizon, as the online casino industry recognizes the potential that gambling in Arizona may hold. And that’s fantastic news for bettors, since it increases the likelihood of receiving a more personalized experience.
And these days, with increasing numbers of bettors preferring to use their handheld devices when placing their wagers, there’s even more choice – and that can be intimidating for newbies. Narrowing down your options by selecting your preferred games helps, making it easier to find your perfect casino.
Arizona has Covid to thank for a change in attitude towards relaxing online casino laws. This change in attitude stands in stark contrast to stands in stark contrast to efforts to introduce online casinos in Texas and similar states, where legislative measures are either slow or non-existent. Arizona might not have legalized online casinos yet, but lawmakers in the state seem open to reaching that point. This was as a direct result of the negative impact the pandemic had on land-based casino revenues and
Prior to COVID’s negative impact on land-based casino revenues, which led to a greater openness to online casinos as a future possibility, Arizona’s casino history was primarily a matter for Native tribes only. The 1988 Indian Gaming Regulatory Act encouraged tribal and state governments to take full control over Class 3 gaming projects, including slot machines. The aim was to encourage job opportunities and improve economic development.
By the early 1990s tribes who had installed slot machines were finding themselves running into problems with the governor of Arizona. Refusal to permit them to operate outside reservations led to a standoff between the Fort McDowell Casino at Scottsdale and the FBI. It’s reported that more than 750 electronic gaming machines were seized.
All 17 tribes had entered into compacts with the state by 1998. So long as they agreed to abide by internal control standards they would have the right to operate casino games and slot machines. Further changes in legislation, including Arizona’s online gambling bill, show the change in attitude towards the way tribal casinos are seen. This has led to increased transparency, and therefore respect towards to Native American Indian land.
There have been numerous twists and turns so far, along the path towards legalizing online casinos in Arizona. At various times the bill has been raised, hotly contested and even been subjected to multiple revisions. At one point it seemed to be dead in the water, but now that approval of AZ online sports betting has been agreed, it can surely only be a matter of time until online casino gaming becomes a reality also.
At the time of writing, anyone looking to play at an online casino in Arizona will find themselves unable to do so due to current legislation. In fact, any operator that does allow online casino play should be avoided at all costs, as they will only be in operation via offshore licensing — which means player safety, security, and financial protection are all-but non-existent. For the moment, if you want to play at an online casino in Arizona, then you’re going to have to bide your time and wait for the legal wheels to turn.
Should online casinos be introduced in the future, then we would expect many of the reputable operators currently active in other states would make their way to the Arizonian marketplace also. This would mean the likes of BetMGM will likely become an option for residents. As a fully-regulated and licensed operator, it’s not possible to use BetMGM at the moment due to their adherence to state legislation, but should things change on a legal front then we’d anticipate the same excellent all-round service from BetMGM to move into Arizona also.
Changes in legislation can happen pretty quickly, so it’s not easy keeping up to date with what’s going on. But luckily here at Las Vegas How-To we’re always on hand to help. So we’ve prepared the following things that Arizona bettors will need to look out for once online casinos go live in the state.
As we have discussed, it’s not currently possible to play at a reputable online casino operator if you are a resident of Arizona. While this may seem disappointing, it is nevertheless the law of the land, and all reputable operators will be steering clear of the state for the time being.
However, the winds may be changing, and Arizona — as so many states have already done — may one day embrace the online casino world. If (or perhaps when) that happens, we’ll be right here to ensure you can find the best operator for your needs, with our exemplary operator reviews and analysis helping you to make a suitable choice. In compiling our Arizona online casino reviews, we’ll look at a variety of different factors when determining if an operator meets our exact standards. Here’s what we look for:
Bettors like to have plenty of choice when it comes to deposit methods. Before considering any online casino to play at, check that it offers plenty of options for your deposits and withdrawals. Ideally there will be facilities for ACH wire transfers, bank cards and e-Wallets too. Having options at your disposal makes the process easier, and the more choice there is, the greater the likelihood that the operator puts customer satisfaction to the forefront.
When you walk into a bricks and mortar Arizona casino you can be sure that all the necessary licenses will be in place. But it isn’t always so easy to spot the genuine online operators. We make it much easier by identifying the top operators, checking out the full licensing details and making sure they’re issued by a reputable industry authority. That means you can follow the links across our site without having to worry.
There’s always a lot of competition amongst online casino operators once a new region opens up to them. So once the appropriate legislation is passed, you can anticipate plenty of generous – and hugely tempting – introductory bonus offers. You’ll want to be quick off the mark, as the new player bonuses are likely to be particularly rewarding during the first few months following legalisation. We check the full Ts & Cs of every offer, telling you how and when to use it, as well as useful advice for maximizing your potential profits.
Our expert online casino reviewers understand that today’s bettors enjoy using their handheld devices as much as – if not more than – their laptops and PCs. So when we’re reviewing online casino operators we find out whether or not there’s an app, and which devices can use it. We’ll also let you know whether there are any mobile-specific bonuses you need to be aware of, so you can make informed decisions about the best operator for your needs.
Online casinos draw your attention with a generous welcome bonus, but they often reward regular visitors too. We dig deep into an operator’s offers and promotions, so you can decide whether or not to sign up to them. We tell you about reward points, VIP clubs and loyalty programs. And we find out whether there are regular tournaments and offers throughout the week too, helping to maximize your bankroll.
You might be an ardent slots fan, but maybe from time to time you’d like to try your hand at a few games of poker too. Or perhaps you love a few spins of the Roulette Wheel right now, but you’d like the option of playing some table games, or slots, at some point in the future. Our reviewers highlight the games on offer, letting you know whether there are Live Dealer games, table games, poker variants, slots, and much, much more. That means you can decide which operators are likely to best fulfill your betting needs.
Every online casino is unique, and so is every player. While that means there is no quick and easy answer to which operator is the right one for you, it does mean that with a little easy research, you have the opportunity to find the online casino that fits you like a glove.
We’ve got a couple of helpful tips to get you started. Here are some things to consider in advance so you’ll be ready to jump into the action when online casinos become legal in Arizona:
No one wants to read the fine print. However, when it comes to using online casinos, their T&Cs shouldn’t be dismissed as legalese you can ignore. They do actually include important information that could be crucial to your experience on the site, and therefore they can help you decide which online casino will be the best, long-term, choice for you.
If you’re a night owl and plan to be gambling online into the wee hours, then you’re best off with an operator that is committed to round-the-clock customer service. If an issue arises that interrupts your play, you want to know that your online casino is there to help you get back into the game quickly. Contact options to look for are live chat and a telephone number, depending on your preference.
At present, the news for residents of Arizona who are seeking to play at an online casino is not encouraging, with no legal brands currently in operation. However, changes are afoot, and it could be that things will change in the future. Given the state’s recent acceptance of sports betting, the signs certainly seem to be positive, and the introduction of online sports betting is sure to boost the economy in much the same way that online casinos in VA are boosting the revenues in Virginia. As such advantages make themselves clear, it seems reasonable to assume Arizona will continue their forward-focused thinking on the igaming world as a whole.
While waiting for formal online casino legislation to go through the legislative process, casino gaming in Arizona is likely best done offline for the moment. There are many tribal casinos across the state, many of which offer an opportunity to enjoy the glitz of the casino world in a fully-licensed environment. It’s not the same as playing at a casino in your own home, but for the moment, it remains the best choice.
Of course, we will ensure that our readers in Arizona are kept completely up-to-date with all of the developments in the Grand Canyon state in regards to online casinos. When and if the picture changes, we’ll be here ready and waiting to ensure you have all the information you need to know, from operator reviews to guidelines on finding the best AZ online casino bonus options, that will help inform your gaming experience.