With the first opening in 1984 in Fort McDowell, AZ, casinos in Arizona have exploded in popularity over the past three decades with now 25 casinos currently operating in the state. Then came the 1988 Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), paving the way for Native American tribes to open legal casinos throughout Arizona on their reservations.
With many located just a short distance from the state’s capitol in Phoenix, AZ, let’s take a closer look at the casinos in Arizona, and what to expect when you visit each of them.
Are there legal casinos in Arizona?
Yes, there are 25 legal casinos in Arizona, many of which now also include legal sportsbooks. It all began in 1988, when the U.S. Congress passed the IGRA which recognized gaming as economic activity that would benefit tribes. As rules and regulations continued to expand over the next few years, by 1994 there were 16 Compacts (agreements) and 10 operating casinos in Arizona.
As times changed in the United States, Native American tribes saw gambling and casinos as a way to provide economic prosperity to their people. By 1998, another half dozen casinos in Arizona opened, including Casino Arizona which remains amongst the most popular casinos in AZ today.
List of all casinos in Arizona
With all of the casinos in Arizona built on Native American reservations, their locations are still ideal, and very accessible for residents and visitors of the state. Below is a full list of all 25 casinos in Arizona.