Arizona Casinos

History Of Gambling In Arizona

Arizona, much like many other prominent states in the US, has gone through a lengthy legal process to allow at least some forms of legal gambling. The state’s history timeline indicates how it progressed and legalized gambling. Here is how and when the state achieved its gambling milestones:

• 1912: Arizona became a state, and all forms of gambling were outlawed.
• 1958: The oldest forms of gambling, namely horse and dog racing, started through the Arizona Racing Commission.
• 1980: In November, the state lottery was approved by the lawmakers.
• 1988: The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act was passed by Congress, and tribal casinos were legalized. However, this legalization was limited to bingo, off-track betting, and lottery-type draws.
• 1990: A handful of slot parlors were introduced owing to the ambiguous state laws regarding slots.
• 1992: In May, NIGC issued rules that specified the requirements to operate slot machines. However, the Arizona Governor approved the FBI to raid and close down casinos with slot machines.
• 1992-1994: The first batch of Compacts with 16 tribes was signed by Governor Symington. This allowed these tribes to operate slot machines and casino-style gaming. It also ensured compliance with the rules and regulations.
• 1998: Compact with the 17^th tribe was signed by Governor Jane Hull.
• 2002: In the general election held in November, Indian casinos were allowed to continue operating. In the following months, Compacts for 16 new tribes were signed by Governor Hull.
• 2003: Governor Janet Napolitano signed several other Compacts.
• 2017: A Compact with the Hopi Tribe was signed by Governor Douglas A. Ducey.
• 2020: In February, a bill was passed to legalize land-based sports betting, but it has not been approved as of yet.
• 2021: Sports betting was legalized in April. In August, the state’s legal DFS industry was launched.

Is it Legal to Gamble Online in Arizona?

With the ambiguity depicted by the gambling history of Arizona, you must be confused. Is online gambling legal in Arizona?

Well, the lawmakers in Arizona have chosen to stay silent on this topic. This means that there is no law restricting Arizona residents from gambling online. So, they can gamble online only through offshore sites. There are no online casinos operating in Arizona.

So, for the question ‘Can I gamble online in AZ?’, the answer is yes. And that too legally since you cannot break a law that doesn’t exist. On the bright side, with the latest update regarding the legalization of sports betting and Daily Fantasy Games, many sportsbooks will be soon launched in Arizona state.

Online Casino

With the lack of virtual casino sites in the state of Arizona, you must be wondering whether it is possible or not. Luckily, legal online gambling in AZ is possible.

Now the question arises, how to gamble online in Arizona? Well, the laws in the state only concern casino sites inside the state. So, this means that players can easily pick a casino site of their choosing that is based offshore.

However, you must be 21 years of age or older no matter which casino site you choose. Plus, some of the casino games might not be offered to the residents of Arizona in line with the state laws. Among numerous game categories, we have mentioned some of the most popular and frequently played ones.

Online Poker

Arizona offers several poker rooms around the state. But, as we mentioned earlier, it doesn’t offer online poker games to the residents.

Therefore, your only option to enjoy online poker is by choosing an offshore casino site that accepts Arizona players. These sites offer a variety of poker games. From Texas Hold ’em Poker to Joker Poker and Deuces Wild, you can have access to a wide range of games.

Plus, most casino sites offer two major types of poker games, namely video poker and live poker. The difference between these is that the live games are dealt by real-life dealers. These live poker games warrant a very realistic and immersive online gambling experience.

Online Sports Betting

Previously, online sports betting was illegal in AZ. However, it was recently legalized in 2021. Several sportsbook apps are expected to be launched by the end of 2021.

These sportsbook apps and online betting sites are going to go live in September. Popular betting sites such as BetMGM Arizona, WynnBET Arizona, Caesars Arizona, and DraftKings Arizona will be launched in the state.

Online sportsbook apps will also be available on both iOS and Android mobile phones. Numerous local and international sports and tournaments will be available for betting. In addition, online sports betting will allow live in-game betting and much more.

Some of the most popular sports that will be offered are as follows:

• Football: NFL, CFL
• Basketball: NBA, WNBA
• Soccer: English Premier League, UEFA Champions League
• Baseball: MLB
• Hockey: NHL

And that’s not all. You can even bet on racing events like NASCAR and Formula One. Some other sports include martial arts, boxing, cycling, and much more.

Online Lottery

Much like other casino games, the online lottery also hasn’t been approved. There is a state lottery site that mentions all the lottery games whose tickets can be purchased from retail counters as there is no option to purchase a ticket online. The Arizona Lottery Commission regulates all the available games.

Some of the most popular multi-state lottery games are available to the residents of Arizona. These include and are not limited to:

• Powerball: This is a renowned draw game that offers massive jackpot prizes to players. The winner can receive millions as a jackpot in this game.
• Mega Millions: Another popular game Mega Millions gives players the chance to win not only millions but also billions. A Megaplier option maximizes the prize value.
• The Pick: This is a draw game that is exclusive to Arizona. The ticket price starts as low as $1, but the winning prize is almost always at a million at the least.
• Scratchers: Numerous scratch-off games are available for the residents of Arizona. The prizes range from cash to exotic holiday tickets.

Online Bingo

On the bright side, online bingo is legal in the state of Arizona. You can access a variety of casino sites offering bingo games. Notable sites with bingo games include Bingo Billy and Bonus Bingo, among others. Whether you are a fan of classic bingo or international style bingo, these sites have got you covered. You can also play games like 80-ball and 30-ball.

Online bingo sites also offer generous bonuses to welcome the new players. Some bonuses are also offered to existing players.

Online Horse Race Betting

In-person, Arizona offers a multitude of options for horse race betting. But in terms of online horse race betting, the options are quite limited.

The popular betting sites available to the residents of Arizona include TVG, DRF Bets Horse Racing Site, and Xpressbet. The players must be 21 years of age or older to participate in this type of gambling.

Online Sweepstakes

In contrast to other games of skill, Sweepstakes are based entirely on luck. The winners are chosen at random. Plus, there are no fees to enter the sweepstakes.

Arizona residents can take part in a wide variety of sweepstakes available online. These sweepstakes offer prizes ranging from cash to exotic holiday tickets.

Daily Fantasy Sports

For a long time, Arizona residents were unable to play Daily Fantasy Sports as it was deemed illegal. However, as of September 2021, that has changed. The legalization of Daily Fantasy Sports games has led to the launch of multiple sites now offering their games to Arizona residents.

Now you can bet on popular sports leagues like NFL, NBA, MLB, NASCAR, and even College sports. DFS platforms also offer a handful of Esports such as Call of Duty, Rocket League, and League of Legends, to name a few.

Can You Play Slots Online In Arizona?

Federal laws regulate most of the gaming rules in the US. However, every state has its own rules and laws regarding various forms of gambling. If you wish to play online slots AZ, you must be aware of the laws regarding this. To date, Arizona does not specify any laws restricting residents from gambling at international or offshore casino sites. This implies that Arizona online casino real money is available to the residents without any legal issues.

However, if you decide to gamble online at offshore platforms, you must make sure that the casino you choose is licensed. In addition, you will need to follow the age requirements no matter which offshore casino to choose. This means that Arizona players must be 21 years or older, in contrast to the usual gambling age, which is 18.

There are numerous online casino sites that are fully licensed by prominent authorities. These casino sites have massive gaming portfolios that are powered by a wide range of game providers. Some of the noteworthy ones are mentioned as follows.

1. Yggdrasil: This is a Malta-based game provider that is renowned for producing high-quality games. The games by this provider feature unique themes and numerous in-game bonuses and free spins. It develops games using HTML5 technology to ensure seamless mobile gambling.
2. Pragmatic Play: Another leading game provider, it is famous for providing live dealer games. It is a mobile-focused provider. Many popular slots have also been released by Pragmatic Play. Over 150 incredible titles are currently offered by Pragmatic Play.
3. Evolution Gaming: Launched in 2006, Evolution Gaming has been powering numerous casinos with its excellent live dealer games. World popular live game Dream Catcher is also the creation of Evolution Gaming. It has a massive portfolio of games and offers live games in multiple languages.
4. NetEnt: NetEnt is one of the oldest game providers in the industry. It has more than 200 top-quality games to offer. NetEnt specializes in developing video slots with incredible animations and graphics. Popular games by NetEnt include Starburst and Gonzo’s Quest. However, it has a very small collection of non-slot games.
5. International Gaming Technology (IGT): IGT is another pioneering game provider in the gambling industry and has developed more than 700 games to date. These are mostly slots featuring incredible graphics in HD quality. The game also features bonus rounds and free spins.
6. Betsoft Gaming: Betsoft has been developing games since 2006. It features 3D slots, video poker, and table games, among others. The collection is currently limited to a little over 170 games, but the games are known to have a cinematic quality. However, it is a mobile-friendly game provider accessible on a variety of devices.

Gambling Age Law

Arizona is one of those states in the US that is renowned for its strict gambling laws. There are quite stringent laws that the players must abide by in order to gamble legally. One of these laws is the age rule. In contrast to rules in other countries, Arizona requires players to be 21 years or older. This age limit is for all kinds of games, from sports betting to slots.

In line with Arizona online gambling laws, no player below the age of 21 is allowed to gamble at an online casino. The virtual casinos employ the Know Your Customer policy to verify the age and identity of the player, thus ensuring the elimination of underage and illegal gambling. The accounts are not registered, and neither are the payments processed until the account is verified.

Land-Based Casinos in Arizona 

Despite the shifting trend towards online gambling, many people still prefer to go for old-school land-based casino gambling. Fortunately, AZ is not short on land-based casinos.

If you like to experience the thrill of gambling at a real casino with numerous games, Arizona has much to offer. Currently, you can find more than 20 such casinos in the AZ state. Most of these casinos are functional round-the-clock and offer a massive number of games.

However, surprisingly, all the brick-and-mortar casinos in Arizona are tribal casinos. None of them is a commercial casino. Arizona also features a huge racino for the residents too namely, Yavapai Casino. This casino offers a variety of games, including more than 170 slots.

Some of the biggest and best-known casinos in Arizona are mentioned below:

Will Arizona Regulate Online Gambling In The Future?

Maybe or maybe not. It is too early to say with confidence whether AZ online gambling will be legalized. Currently, there are no bills being passed or in process. Plus, with the recent rejection of bills for the legalization of AZ online casino apps, Arizona has suffered a major backlash. It is safe to say that you won’t be seeing legal online casinos in Arizona in the immediate future.

However, it might turn around. This is because in-person and online sports betting has recently been legalized. So, the state is making gradual progress and innovating gambling arenas in the state. So, it is likely that Arizonians might be able to gamble online.