Arizona online gambling

Best online gambling sites in Arizona

Other AZ gambling sites to consider

There are a number of other sites that are not as popular, but they offer the same things for the most part. These are the other legal AZ gambling sites that you can explore:

Unibet Arizona

Unibet launched in Arizona on September 9, 2021. They offer a wide variety of betting markets, including international sports. The Quechan Tribe is Unibet's licensing partner in AZ.

Notable feature: Our researchers have determined that Unibet is a strong choice for people that like to bet on the NBA. They place an emphasis on the sport during the season, and you are greeted by the NBA betting menu by default when you reach the homepage. They offer extensive props on NBA games, and there is some basic handicapping information for each matchup.

Betfred Arizona

Betfred is a UK-founded sportsbook that was soft-launched in Arizona early in 2022. Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation is the licensing partner of Betfred in Arizona. They offer online gambling, and there is a brick-and-mortar Betfred location in the We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort.

Notable feature: Betfred gets a lot of attention for their promotions and bonuses. There is a generous welcome bonus that you get when you first sign up, and there are odds boosts and occasional ticket giveaways.

ESPN Bet Arizona

ESPN Bet's gambling site is now accessible to Arizona players, having launched in November 2023. The platform replaced Barstool Sportsbook after parent company PENN Entertainment ended its deal with Barstool and entered a 10-year, $2 billion partnership with ESPN.

The new betting site features noticeable display and interface upgrades, with navigation easier than ever before and plenty of promos to sate your gambling appetite.

Notable feature: PENN made it a point to continue the PENN Play Program with ESPN Bet after the conversion, giving players lucrative rewards for continued wagers on the site.

SuperBook Arizona

SuperBook partnered with the Fort Mohave Indian Tribe to gain entry into the Arizona online betting market. They launched on December 17, 2021, and the book is patterned after their legendary Las Vegas sportsbook.

Notable feature: SuperBook has always been highly regarded within the sports betting industry for their oddsmaking expertise. Many big bettors place their wagers at their Las Vegas property, so it is a good book for players that monitor meaningful line movements.

Sahara Bets Arizona

Sahara Bets is another option, and this brand was able to enter the Arizona sports betting market via a partnership with the Arizona Coyotes of the NHL (the Coyotes have since become inactive). They do not have a retail sportsbook, but the online version is on par with the industry standard.

Notable feature: We noticed the emphasis that they place on customer service at Sahara Bets. It’s nice to know that support is available if and when you need it, and they staff their customer service line around the clock, 7 days a week.

TwinSpires Arizona

TwinSpires has been operating in Arizona since September 2021 courtesy of a contractual arrangement with the Tonto Apache Tribe. This tribe owns the Mazatzal Hotel and Casino in Payson, and there is a retail TwinSpires outlet at the facility.

Notable feature: The actual Twin Spires are iconic architectural structures at Churchill Downs in Louisville, and the racetrack ownership group also owns the online betting sites. This is definitely the book of choice for Arizona residents that like to play the ponies.

Hard Rock Bet Arizona

The Hard Rock Bet AZ online gambling platform was launched in April 2022. They are partnering with the Navajo Nation, the tribe that operates the Twin Arrows Casino Resort in Flagstaff. Though they have this physical location, there is no Hard Rock retail sportsbook in Arizona.

Notable feature: The elegant simplicity makes this book a good option for people that are new to the activity. They have an intuitive platform, detailed FAQs, and an online chat function you can use if you have any questions.

Golden Nugget Arizona

The Golden Nugget AZ online gaming platform is another operator with a Las Vegas flare. This is an iconic name that carries a lot of weight among sports gaming veterans. It is a classic brand with a thoroughly modern take on internet sports betting, and they are partnered with the Hualapai Tribe.

Notable feature: Players that like to target sports that are somewhat outside of the box for the typical American sports fan will feel at home at Golden Nugget Arizona. They post odds on ping-pong, chess, Australian rules football, darts, and other under-the-radar sporting events.

Betway Arizona

Betway launched in March 2022 through a partnership with the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe. They are going strong in the online gambling realm, but they do not have a retail outlet, and there are no signs of any effort to go in that direction.

Notable feature: We have found that Betway is a good destination for proposition bettors. They have a huge selection of player and team props, so there are countless ways to approach every matchup.

Bally Bet Arizona

Bally Bet got in on the AZ online gambling action via a soft launch in February 2022, and they went live with full functionality in May of that year. They offer a standard wagering menu, and their partner in Arizona is the Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA.

Notable feature: Though it is not a licensing matter, Bally Bet entered into a marketing partnership with the NHL in 2021. This means that they have the motivation to offer promotions and special offers for NHL bettors.

Is it legal to gamble online in Arizona?

Yes, it is legal to gamble online in Arizona. After the enactment of HB2772 in April 2021, sports betting became legal in the state. DFS has been legal in the state for quite some time, but online casinos are not legal.

How to gamble online in AZ

If you are ready to start betting on sports online, follow these simple steps:

1. Choose an online gambling site in Arizona

Take a look at our list of the best gambling sites in Arizona to find the book that works for you based on your preferences and priorities.

It is important to evaluate the sign-up bonuses when you are making your decision. Some of the rewards are sure things, and some of them aren’t, so take note of the terms and conditions.

2. Set up your account

When you decide on the sportsbook that you will try first, click the “Get Bonus” button that we have placed next to it at the top of this page. When you take that step, you will be eligible for your welcome reward when you arrive on the landing page.

Then, follow the prompts. You provide your name, date of birth, email address, and other essential identifying information. There is a geolocation verification to confirm that you are in Arizona, and when that checks out, your account will go live.

3. Fund your account

Funding is the next step in the process. You typically have to make a deposit to become eligible for the sign-up bonus. It is easy to make a deposit at an Arizona gambling site because all of the commonly used methods are accepted.

4. Place your first wager

After your account has been established and funded, you are ready to make your first bet. All the platforms are laid out in an intuitive manner, so the process is self-explanatory. In some cases, you have to make a certain type of bet to satisfy the terms of a welcome promotion. Take a careful look at the terms so you know what you have to do to get the bonus.

Legal forms of gambling in Arizona

There are several different forms of legal gambling available in AZ, and we list them below:

Is online poker legal in Arizona?

Online poker is not legally regulated in Arizona. While the state has legalized sports betting, Arizona online poker remains in a gray area. Arizona residents can access online poker sites operating outside of state and federal jurisdictions, but these are not regulated by Arizona laws, posing potential risks for players.

Best practices for online gambling

Sports gambling online in Arizona can be an enjoyable and potentially profitable activity that adds a layer of excitement to any game. However, it is important to gamble responsibly, and you should take a measured, intelligent approach to maximize your chances of success.

Notable gambling wins in Arizona

Matthew Good of Phoenix won half of a $587.5 million Powerball jackpot in 2012. Instead of accepting a long-term payout structure, he took a $192 million one-time payment. Cindy and Mark Hill of Missouri won the other half of the big prize.

Matthew Good isn't the only Arizonan with an interesting lottery tale to tell. Kerry Carmichael won a $2.5 million jackpot in 1995, and his wife, Diane, took down a cool $1 million score in 2013. It happened right before the annual annuity payments from the first win were going to dry up.

The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA)

Arizona has more Native American land than any other state in the United States. In fact, tribal lands make up over a quarter of Arizona’s total land area. This equates to almost 20 million acres.

The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) legalized casino gaming for federally recognized tribes within certain prescribed parameters. This opened the door to legal casino gambling on tribal land in the state of Arizona and every other state in the union.

In order to take advantage of the opening, a tribe in a given state must negotiate a contract with their state government that is called a “compact.”

After some bitter negotiations and legal challenges, then-Governor Fife Symington signed compacts with 16 federally recognized Arizona tribes between 1992 and 1994. Four years later, his successor, Jane Hull, inked a compact with a 17^th tribe. At this point, all 22 tribes in Arizona that are recognized by the federal government have negotiated compacts with the state.

Arizona taxes on gambling winnings

Gambling winnings are looked upon as taxable income by the IRS and the state tax authorities. On the federal level, the gambling establishment is required to issue you a Form W2-G if your winnings exceed a certain threshold.

For sports betting, fantasy contests, and pari-mutuel horse race betting the threshold is $600, and it must be at least 300 times the amount of the bet. According to the IRS instructions for Form W-2G, the withholding rate is 24% for sweepstakes, wagering pools, certain parimutuel pools, and lottery wins that exceed $5,000.

Gambling winnings are also subject to Arizona state income tax. The state is now using a flat rate of 2.5%. Even if you do not win enough in one single bet to receive a W-2G, you are still required to report gambling profits when you file your returns. However, you can claim losses as well if they offset taxable winnings.

The history of gambling in Arizona

Gambling has a rich history in Arizona, dating back to the 1880s when colorful characters in places like Tombstone gathered to get in on the action at raucous gambling halls. The legal timeline starts much later, and we take a look at it below:

Licensed gambling platforms in Arizona VS offshore

Gambling on a licensed platform in Arizona will provide greater convenience, safety, and security. Licensed gambling sites are required to follow a strict set of rules and regulations that have been established by the Arizona Department of Gaming.

On the other hand, offshore gambling sites are not subject to the same oversight. To put it bluntly, they are operating illegally, and companies that facilitate monetary transfers have to steer clear of them.

Users should always opt for a licensed platform when choosing a sportsbook in AZ. There is a list of licensed sportsbooks in AZ on the Arizona Department of Gaming website.

Gambling responsibly in Arizona

Gambling is fun, but responsible gaming is key. The activity can be addicting, and some people will feel the urge to bet more than they can afford to lose.

There are resources for individuals who need help with problem gambling. Gamblers Anonymous is a 12-step program that offers support and counseling for gambling addicts and their families. Gam-Anon is a similar program, with a focus on helping family members and loved ones of gamblers. Smart Recovery is yet another organization that works to help those struggling with gambling addiction.

In addition to these organizations, the National Association of Administrators for Disordered Gambling Services (NAADGS) provides resources and support for those affected by gambling addiction in Arizona. The NAADGS offers a variety of services, such as support groups, education, and referrals to treatment centers.

There are also tools that can be used to prevent problem gambling before it happens. Some licensed sportsbooks allow you to set limits for yourself. Your ability to place wagers is suspended for an interim that you set when you reach your limit.

For more detailed insights, you can also check out our comprehensive guide on responsible gambling in Arizona, where we delve into the best practices and local regulations.