Gambling in Arizona: Laws, Casinos, and Betting Options

Arizona offers a regulated gambling landscape centered on tribal casinos, state lottery, horse racing, and legalized sports betting. Following the 2021 passage of House Bill 2772, which amended tribal-state gaming compacts, the state introduced both retail and online sports wagering while maintaining prohibitions on intrastate online casinos and poker. Enforcement prioritizes unlicensed operators, with offshore platforms remaining in a legal gray area where individual players face low practical risk despite broad statutory bans on unauthorized gambling.

Legal Gambling Landscape in Arizona

Arizona Revised Statutes (Title 13 and Title 5) prohibit most forms of commercial gambling outside tribal compacts and specific exceptions. The Arizona Department of Gaming regulates tribal gaming, sports betting, fantasy sports contests, and pari-mutuel wagering. Legal options include 26 tribal casinos offering slots, table games, poker rooms, and sportsbooks; the state lottery; charitable bingo and pull-tabs; and licensed event wagering. No intrastate online casinos or real-money poker exist, and authorities warn against unregulated iGaming platforms, including offshore sites and sweepstakes casinos.

Residents enjoy access to diverse regulated markets, with online sports betting proving particularly popular since its 2021 launch.

Tribal Gaming Facilities

Arizona’s 22 federally recognized tribes operate 26 Class III casinos under tribal-state compacts, providing full-scale gaming including slots, video poker, blackjack, craps, roulette, and poker. Notable venues include:

Casino del Sol (Tucson)
Desert Diamond Casinos (multiple locations, including Chandler)
Harrah’s Ak-Chin (Maricopa)
Fort McDowell Casino (Fountain Hills)
Gila River Resorts & Casinos (multiple, including Vee Quiva in Laveen)
Casino Arizona and Talking Stick Resort (Scottsdale)
We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort (Fort McDowell)

These facilities generate significant revenue and contribute to state funds through compacts. Many now host retail sportsbooks alongside traditional gaming.

Online Casinos and Poker in Arizona

No regulated intrastate online casinos or real-money online poker platforms operate in Arizona. State authorities explicitly state that iGaming remains illegal, issuing warnings and cease-and-desist orders against unlicensed operators, including offshore sites like Bovada. While some players access international platforms, such activity falls under general gambling prohibitions, though individual prosecutions are rare. Social casinos and sweepstakes-style sites offer free-play alternatives, but real-money versions lack regulation and consumer protections.

Sports Betting Status

Sports betting is fully legal in Arizona since September 2021, with both retail and mobile options available through licensed operators. Up to 20 licenses exist (split between tribes and professional sports entities), plus limited licenses for racetracks and off-track facilities. Bettors can wager on professional and college sports (with restrictions on in-state college prop bets) via apps from major providers. Pari-mutuel wagering on horse and greyhound racing continues at tracks like Turf Paradise and off-track locations.

Daily Fantasy Sports and Lottery

Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) contests are legal and regulated under the 2021 legislation, with licensed operators offering skill-based competitions. Major platforms participate, though some restrictions apply to certain contest formats (e.g., prohibitions on certain pick’em styles against the house). The Arizona State Lottery provides draw games, scratch tickets, and multi-state options like Powerball and Mega Millions, available at retailers and online for ticket purchases.

Bingo and Charitable Gaming

Charitable bingo and pull-tabs remain legal when operated by qualified nonprofits or tribes, subject to strict limits on prizes and operations. No state-sanctioned online bingo exists for real money.

Future Prospects for Gambling Reform

While sports betting and DFS thrive, expansion into online casinos or poker faces barriers from tribal compacts and legislative priorities. Authorities continue cracking down on illegal offshore and sweepstakes operations to protect the regulated market. Monitor the Arizona Department of Gaming for updates on any proposed changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is online gambling legal in Arizona? Only online sports betting and DFS are regulated; online casinos and poker are not, with offshore access in a gray area carrying potential risks.
Is sports betting available in Arizona? Yes, both retail and mobile sports betting are fully legal since 2021 through licensed operators.
Are there legal casinos in Arizona? Yes, 26 tribal casinos offer slots, table games, poker, and sports betting; no commercial non-tribal casinos exist.
What about daily fantasy sports? DFS is legal and regulated, with licensed platforms available to residents.
Can residents use offshore betting sites? Many do for casino-style games, but such platforms are unregulated and warned against by state authorities due to lack of protections.

Arizona provides robust regulated options for sports betting and tribal casino gaming. For the safest experiences, stick to licensed operators overseen by the Arizona Department of Gaming