Arizona Sports Betting

Arizona isn’t just known for its stunning desert landscapes and the Grand Canyon, it’s also home to a rich sports culture. With teams like the Arizona Cardinals, Phoenix Suns, and Arizona Diamondbacks, the state has no shortage of passionate fans. This deep love for sports has naturally carried over into the world of sports betting.

In this page, we’ll give you a complete breakdown to betting in Arizona — mostly on sports, but other things too. It’s a one-page primer to everything you need to know.

Is Sports Betting Legal In Arizona?

Sports betting was signed into law April 2021. It then launched in September 2021 — not coincidentally, the same day the NFL season started. It’s been available for three years now and the state has become a top-10 sports betting market nationally.

Under the law passed, the state can grant 20 licenses for sports betting. So far, 17 have been claimed — about half by tribal casinos and the other half by commercial betting apps. There's a lot of options for Arizona bettors, which is why we want to help out with some recommendations below!

International Online Sportsbooks Available In Arizona

Arizona has made significant strides in legalizing sports betting, providing residents with a variety of options to engage in wagering. However, state-regulated sportsbooks come with specific restrictions that bettors should be aware of. While you can bet on many major sports, Arizona sportsbooks do not allow wagers on political events or entertainment props. Additionally, there are limitations on betting involving in-state college teams, such as Arizona State University and the University of Arizona, which can restrict your betting choices, especially for local fans.

International sportsbooks present a compelling alternative for those seeking more diverse betting options. These offshore platforms allow you to place bets on political outcomes, wager on a full range of college sports without the restrictions imposed by state regulations, and access various unique markets that Arizona’s legal sportsbooks may not offer. If you’re looking to bet on local college games or political events, international sportsbooks can significantly broaden your betting horizons.

Concerns about the safety of offshore betting are valid, but the international sportsbooks we recommend have been thoroughly vetted for reliability and security. Our team has utilized these platforms for years, ensuring they provide quick payouts, fair treatment, and excellent customer service. By opting for these trusted offshore operators, you can enhance your betting experience while maintaining confidence in the safety of your funds and personal information.

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Legal Online Sportsbooks Available In Arizona

Arizona Online Sportsbook Comparison

With 17 betting licenses out, in-state bettors have a plethora of options to gamble. However, what are their best options? We think we know. Here are some of our best recommendations:

Best sportsbook for bonuses: Arizona bettors need to look no further than BetMGM’s latest offer. New users can snag a risk-free bet, meaning if your first wager doesn’t go your way, BetMGM will refund you up to $1500 of it back. It’s a fantastic way to jump into the action without the stress of losing. All upside and no downside, that’s a bet always worth taking.

Best sportsbook for betting options: FanDuel truly stands out for its boosted odds program, giving bettors an edge with enhanced payouts. This feature regularly upgrades standard odds, say like moving from -125 to +100 — killer savings. While other apps also offer boosts, FanDuel does it way, way more often.

Best sportsbook for live betting: DraftKings stands out as the top choice for live betting, and it's easy to see why. The app's in-play feature is incredibly responsive, with lightning-fast updates that keep players in sync with the action. Few apps come close to the speed DraftKings offers in adjusting live odds, which is crucial for those who need to make quick decisions (every second counts).

Best sportsbook for rewards: We’re huge fans of Caesars Rewards. Yes, they offer in-app rewards like free play. However, they also give out goodies pertaining to their real casinos. That’s useful to Arizona bettors since Las Vegas is very close to the state border. Betting through the app could lead to free rooms and dining in Vegas at one of Caesars' many properties.

Best sportsbook for user experience: FanDuel is our top choice. We mean, they are the number-one used betting app in the country for a reason, right? They’ve figured out this whole betting thing perfectly — starting with the app. It’s so easy to use, even if you’re a complete newbie. It’s hard to find anything wrong with it.

Arizona Quick Facts

What You Can’t Bet On In Arizona?

Compared to other states, Arizona’s betting market is more wide-open. But a few things are prohibited from betting, including the following:

College player props: All of these bets are 100 percent banned — and that goes for all college sports, not just the local ones in Arizona.

Online casino: In-state casino betting can only be done on tribal casinos — not on the Internet.

Non-sports events: Betting on non-sporting events such as political outcomes, award shows, or TV/movie plots is prohibited in Arizona. The state’s sports betting regulations only apply to sporting events, so these markets are off the table.

If you’re looking for the above betting options that aren’t available in Arizona, offshore sportsbooks will offer them. These offshore bookies work just fine in the state too so they’re not bad options.

Who Can Legally Bet In Arizona?

Thankfully, Arizona allows most forms of betting besides the few things mentioned. Here are all the things that ARE on the table:

Legal age: No surprises here, you must be 21 years old to legally place sports bets in Arizona, which is the standard across the U.S.

Mobile betting: Yes, Arizona fully allows mobile betting, meaning you can place your wagers from anywhere in the state without needing to visit a physical sportsbook.

Retail sportsbooks: While online betting is convenient, Arizona also offers retail sportsbooks at tribal casinos. Sportsbooks here, at the very least, are fun social experiences.

Remote registration: Signing up to bet is simple and can be done entirely online. You don’t need to visit a retail location — just a few clicks from your phone or computer and you’re all set up.

Taxable winnings: Unfortunately, the IRS and the state of Arizona both expect a cut of your gambling winnings. Just like in most states, any earnings from betting are considered taxable income so you’ll need to report them when filing your end-year taxes.

Latest Arizona Betting News

Apr 1, 2024 07:48 PM

The Arizona Sports Betting Market is Expanding

May 11, 2023 06:46 AM

Is the Tax Rate for Arizona Sports Betting Too Low?

Sep 1, 2021 03:20 AM

Arizona is Offering Early Access to Legalized Sports Betting

Nov 20, 2024 06:05 AM

Florida Sports Betting Action Reportedly Exceeding Expectations At One Anniversary

Latest Arizona Legal Betting Updates

Nov 19, 2024 10:06 AM

Arizona's sports betting handle sets a new record at $713.5 million in November, showing a 10% increase from the previous month and a 15.5% surge compared to November 2022.

How To Bet On Sports In Arizona?

Arizona sportsbooks have a swath of sports to bet on. However, most of the betting interest flows into the most common sports that you can already guess. But here’s a refresher just in case:

How To Bet On Football In Arizona?

Football is the most bet-on sport in the whole country and Zona is no exception. It’s absolutely king in the desert, which makes the Fall and Winter time betting havens. The Super Bowl, in particular, is the biggest betting event of all. Arizona sportsbooks will pull out all the stops come this Big Game (that means many free-play deals).

How To Bet On Basketball In Arizona?

Arizona’s biggest sports success story comes from the world of basketball — only it’s the college team, not the pros. That’s right, the Arizona Wildcats have built a nationally recognized basketball program. A byproduct of that is plenty of betting interest from Arizona bettors that continues to this day.

How To Bet On Baseball In Arizona?

If you're looking to increase your chances of making some cash, baseball betting could be the way to go. With 162 regular-season games per team, plus the playoffs, Major League Baseball offers more chances to place bets than any other sport. More games mean more opportunities to find favorable odds and cash in.

How To Bet On Fighting In Arizona?

From UFC and boxing to PFL, Bellator, and even Bareknuckle Fighting Championships, Arizona betting platforms have you covered for all major fight cards. The best part? You can find action almost every weekend, with fights typically scheduled on Fridays and Saturdays. It’s something to look forward to on the weekends, especially in non-football seasons.

Betting on Arizona Teams

Arizona fans naturally lean toward betting on their home teams. After all, if you’re already cheering them on, why not place a wager too? Here’s a breakdown of how to bet on Arizona’s major sports teams:

Betting on Arizona NFL Team

The Arizona Cardinals are the preferred team in the desert — this despite the franchise giving fans little to cheer about over its history. Still, bettors will come in droves during the season when they’re betting spread, moneyline, over/under, props, figures, and more related to the Cards.

Betting on Arizona NBA Team

The Phoenix Suns have become the IT team in the state thanks to the arrival of Kevin Durant and the continued stardom of Devin Booker. If the pair can get the Suns on the door of a championship, the betting frenzy will surely follow. It’s plausible with a big two like that — just remember what they did in the 2024 Olympic Games.

Betting on Arizona MLB Team

The Arizona Diamondbacks are the only pro team to bring home a championship — beating the Yankees in epic fashion in the 2001 World Series. Sure, they might not carry the same national weight today, but they remain a staple in the state, especially for bettors. With a long MLB season, players will have ample opportunities to wager on D-backs games.

Betting on Arizona College Teams

Two colleges soak up all the betting attention in the state — the Arizona Wildcats and Arizona State Sun Devils. Historically, the Wildcats have the better sports teams though (though the Sun Devils might party more, but that doesn’t matter here). Both teams are bitter rivals and any meetings between the two are big betting attractions.

Arizona Betting Revenue Statistics

Sports betting was a resounding success in Arizona from day one. On its opening weekend, the state ranked fourth in the nation for transaction volume with more than 270,000 new accounts created. Within just three months, total wagers surpassed the $1 billion mark. That number is up to $18 billion by now.

It’s been much of the same since those early days. During 2023, Arizona took in more than $6.57 billion in wagering handle. That was an 8% increase from the year before. So the trend is very obviously on the up and up.

Other Types Of Betting In Arizona

Once upon a time, Arizona bettors would need to drive north to Las Vegas to get their gambling fix. But that’s hardly the case anymore since the state offers most forms of betting these days. Here’s what’s allowed to be garter in outside of sports:

Tribal Casinos: There are a ton of options in this category. Casinos on tribal land offer traditional games like slots, blackjack, poker, and roulette.

Horse Race Betting: You can legally bet on horse races both online and in-person at venues like Turf Paradise.

Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS): DFS is legal in Arizona, allowing users to enter contests based on the performance of athletes in real-life sports. Platforms like DraftKings, FanDuel, or PrizePicks are available for this.

Lottery: The Arizona Lottery offers games like Powerball, Mega Millions, and various scratch-offs, both in-person and online.

Sports Betting Rules In Each State

Looking to place bets outside of Arizona? We've got you covered. Pick a state, and we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about betting there legally. Just click one of the below links:

Responsible Gaming In Arizona

We’ve spent this whole page advocating for betting. However, we’d be foolish to also not warn about the potential dangers of betting — IF one is not in control. And yes, control is the keyword here. Without it, betting can quickly spiral into financial stress, anxiety, and other negative consequences.

The thrill of placing a bet should always remain just that — a fun, exciting activity. But once it starts to feel like a way to fix financial problems or chase losses, it’s no longer about fun. That’s when it’s crucial to take a step back, reflect, and regain control. Betting responsibly means setting limits, being aware of your habits, and knowing when to walk away.

If you ever find yourself struggling, it’s important to recognize that there’s no shame in asking for help. Arizona offers plenty of resources to guide you if betting becomes more than just a game. Here’s a few in case it ever gets to that point for you or someone you know:

Arizona Division of Problem Gambling (https://problemgambling.az.gov/)

A state-run organization providing support, counseling, and resources to individuals struggling with gambling addiction. Their helpline is available 24/7 at 1-800-NEXT-STEP (1-800-639-8783).

Gamblers Anonymous Arizona (http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/)

A peer-led support group offering meetings throughout Arizona for those looking to recover from problem gambling. Meetings provide a safe and confidential space to share experiences and seek support.

Arizona Council on Compulsive Gambling, Inc. (http://www.azccg.org/)

The Arizona Council on Compulsive Gambling, Inc. (ACCG) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting individuals and families affected by problem gambling.

National resources:

Gamble Aware (https://www.gambleaware.org/)

A non-profit organization providing resources and support for individuals struggling with gambling addiction.

International Center for Responsible Gaming (https://www.icrg.org/)

The International Center for Responsible Gaming (CRG) is a research institution dedicated to promoting safe gambling practices and addressing gambling-related issues.

24/7 Gambling Support Line (https://www.ncpgambling.org/help-treatment/about-the-national-problem-gambling-helpline/)

A round-the-clock helpline offering immediate assistance and guidance for those experiencing gambling-related problems.