Arizona is among the few states in the US offering a year-round racing circuit. Arizona law also allows commercial racetrack permittees to petition the Arizona Racing Commission to open OTB sites in the state.
As a result, Arizonans can benefit from simulcast horse racing from OTB sites like bars, restaurants, resorts, hotels, casinos, etc.
Is horse betting legal in Arizona?
Yes, horse betting is legal in Arizona. Arizona conducts thoroughbred and quarter-horse racing year-round. Turf Paradise and Arizona Downs are the primary venues, though Rillito Park also held a few races the last winter.
Due to legislation, horse betting in Arizona is restricted such that online wagering is limited to specific races and hours, whether brick-and-mortar or off-track betting locations.
However, some racetracks that you can bet on include Albuquerque, Arapahoe Park, Parlington, Belterra Park, and Century Mile. Despite live track facilities, Arizonans typically get their horse betting done at off-track facilities such as the tribal casinos.
Different types of horse race bets you can place in AZ
Horse racing has been popular in Arizona for a long time, with Turf Paradise and Rillito Park being the centerpieces. Unfortunately, fans and bettors have to wait for specific meets to enjoy the races. Otherwise, they have to rely on simulcasts to enjoy or bet on the races.
Horse betting in Arizona has brought hundreds of thousands of participants together yearly for wagering. Arizona has only one online legal site for horse betting at the moment. Most horse betting in the state offers horse race bets, such as Straight and Exotic wagers. Furthermore, these are broken down into various bets.
Straight wagers
It is a wager on the win, place, or show. Straight wagers involve positions one, two, and three. A straight wager is easy to understand. The following are examples of straight wagers:
Exotic wagers
These bet types allow bettors to spread their risks because they involve betting more than one horse. Here, bettors require skills and planning before placing their wagers. Amazingly, the bigger the risk, the bigger the potential reward.
What is “pari-mutuel betting” in horse betting in AZ?
The term “Pari-mutuel” originated in France, meaning wagering among yourselves. Pari-mutuel, legalized in Arizona in 1935. This was before horse racing was available in 1943. It is a betting type whereby those who have participated in a wager share the amount of payout earned from the winners.
Here, the bettors’ money is in a pool, and they share winnings evenly. The odds in pari-mutuel betting are flexible, unlike other kinds of betting. In this type of bet, bettors place their wagers against each other instead of placing bets against the racetrack.
Physical locations for horse betting in Arizona
Betting in the 21st century has been made easily accessible through online bookies. Still, physical betting locations are operational and relevant in Arizona. The following are the top physical locations for horse betting in the state.