Online CasinosArizona

Although Arizona is home to a number of high-quality land-based casinos, online casinos are illegal in Arizona. In this article, we will cover a range of topics to do with the state’s gambling history and future, including discussing when online casinos Arizona may come to the market.
  • Expert-reviewed Arizona gambling regulations
  • The current Arizona gambling laws
  • The future of Arizona online casino gambling
  • 0 Legal Online Casinos
  • 24 Legal Land Based Casinos
  • 10 Legal Social Casinos
  • 7 Legal Bingo / Lottery Games
  • Responsible Gaming
  • Arizona Department of Gaming

Laws About Arizona Online Casinos

According to the Arizona Department of Gaming, all forms of gambling are outlawed unless stated otherwise. As the Arizona Revised Statutes defines gambling as the act of risking something of value for the opportunity to obtain a benefit from a contest of chance, this includes both land-based and online casino gambling.

There are a few caveats to this rule, such as if the gambling is for social or approved charitable reasons. In any case, there has been recent progress on the matter that indicates that the < a href=”#future”>future of gambling in AZ may be bright. Here, you can follow any law changes regarding Arizona online casinos.

Online Gambling Legality in Arizona

Since September 2021, Arizonans have been able to enjoy legal online gambling in Arizona in the form of sports betting and daily fantasy sports (DFS). The launch came after the state legislature legalized these activities in 2019. Up to 22 online sports betting licenses have been granted, with 10 rewarded to the state’s tribal groups.

Additionally, locals are able to legally place bets on horse races at one government-approved site. Aside from these activities, locals can’t play online poker or buy lottery tickets. For the time being, there are no laws being considered to expand online casino gambling any further.

An alternative to a real money online casino Arizona are the social casinos, which are not considered illegal, as the currency used is not real and cannot be withrawn.


Arizona’s Gambling History

Arizona has had a long history with gambling considering its status as an early frontier state. However, thanks to its conservative and religious constituency, all forms of gambling were outlawed in 1912. It wasn’t until 1980 that the state lottery was established to raise revenues for state programs.

The biggest shift to local attitudes happened in 1988 when Native Americans were granted permission to operate casinos on their lands. As Arizona is home to one of the largest Native American populations in the USA, this created a huge land-based casino industry that thrives to this date. The Arizona gambling industry is regulated by the Arizona Department of Gaming.


Important Events in US Gambling History

Although US states are able to declare certain gambling activities legal, this hasn’t always been the case. Historically, the federal government has interfered on gambling matters, especially when it comes to online casinos. Gradually this has changed, and several states now approve of online gambling. Below are the US states with legal online casinos and licenses:

The Federal Wire Act of 1961

In 1961, The Federal Wire Act was introduced in the hopes of combating the pocketbooks of organized crime organizations. The law initially outlawed inter-state sports betting but has since been interpreted to mean that all interstate online gambling is illegal. This guided Arizona’s online gambling laws it passed its own laws legalizing sports betting in 2019.


Online Poker’s Black Friday

The Black Friday event of 2011 refers to when the US Department of Justice shut down three of the largest online poker sites in the country. The sites were found to be accepting US players despite the fact that online gambling was outlawed by federal law in 2006.

The move marked the end of the 2000s online poker boom and thousands of players were left without reliable income overnight. This includes players from Arizona, who are still without a neighboring state with legal online poker. Fortunately, if Arizona online casinos become a reality, they will be able to offer online poker.


Popular Online Casino Games in Legal US States

If the five states in the USA with legal online casino gambling are to go by, an expanded online casino market could draw in plenty of activity in Arizona. Already, roughly $2 billion is gambled annually in Arizona’s tribal casinos, with about $80 million of these revenues going to state coffers.

As local players have proved to gravitate towards everything from slots to table games, we have no doubt that there would be a number of popular games at online casinos in Arizona. In the upcoming section, we have explored which are likely to be the most popular games in states where online casinos are legal:

Blackjack

Arizona’s gambling laws allow for tribal casinos to host land-based variants of blackjack. However, until the law changes, there are no legal online blackjack options to try in AZ. We predict that this could be one of the most popular table games in the state to play if Arizona online casinos are authorized.

At online casinos in states that permit online blackjack, the classic card game comes in numerous variants. Some casinos offer live dealer versions, while others allow for side bets and multiple hands. That said, Arizona has laws limiting bet sizes at tribal casinos so this would need to be followed by online operators.

Roulette

Roulette is also allowed at Arizona’s tribal casinos. Just like blackjack, the state legislature limited the upper limits that could be made on bets, so legal online casinos Arizona may also have to offer games with small betting limits. Fortunately, there are many games that offer small bets.

States such as Pennsylvania and West Virginia permit all forms of table games at their online casinos, so it makes sense that it would be offered too if online roulette in Arizona was legalized. You could play everything from American to European Roulette and even live dealer versions.

Slots

There are more than 10,000 slot machines across Arizona’s tribal casino gaming floors, and they far outnumber any other form of gambling offered at these sites. It should go without saying, then, that slots are the most popular casino gambling game in the state and appeal to all types of players.

One of the best things about online casinos is that they frequently offer hundreds of unique slot titles. These games come in many themes and playing styles and offer far more variations than what you’ll find at most land-based casinos, with popular titles including Starburst and Buffalo Blitz. We’re certain that online slots in Arizona would be equally popular.

Online Poker Options

Arizona considers all forms of poker to be games of chance and it is illegal unless held in a social environment. Of course, poker-loving locals can also attend one of the more than two dozen tribal casinos to participate in cash games and tournaments, and many regularly do.

Due to the lack of online casinos Arizona, there are currently no online poker options. In states that do offer poker online, players can either play video poker variants against computers or compete against other players in online poker rooms. Online poker in Arizona could come in the form of Texas Hold’em, Omaha, or any other variant.

Land-Based Casinos in Arizona

There are roughly 30 land-based racetracks and casinos in Arizona. In total, the state hosts more than 15,000 slots and nearly 400 table games at these sites, all of which are located on Native American lands. This makes the state one of the largest in the country for tribal gaming.

Some of the largest land-based gambling groups such as Harrah’s are affiliated with a number of these casinos, ensuring that locals have access to high-quality casinos across the state. Arizonans are also able to place wagers on off-track betting parlours and state lottery retailers are widely available throughout AZ.

Arizona Land-Based Casinos Overview
Fred Williams Author and Casino Expert
Casino Del Sol Resort 🍒 1,300 slot machines, 🃏 22 table games
Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino 🍒 1,135 slot machines, 🃏 25 table games
Desert Diamond Casino Tucson 🍒 1,090 slot machines, 🃏 24 table games

Pros and Cons of Land-Based and Online Casinos

If online gambling Arizona becomes a reality, gamblers may have a tough time deciding which option is better: land-based or online casinos. We believe that there are perks and disadvantages to each. Land-based casinos often offer a more luxurious and immersive experience, including entertainment and hotel facilities.

When it comes to gaming, online casinos tend to offer a wider selection of slots and game developers. There are always table games available, and table game buy-ins start at a much lower rate. However, high-rollers are usually better catered to at land-based sites and the land-based experience is more social.


The Future of Online Casinos in Arizona

If you’re waiting for the best Arizona online casinos to set up, don’t hold your breath. There is currently no expanded gambling legalization being considered by lawmakers, and few representatives have expressed any wish to do so. However, as we’ll discuss in the following section, the prospect isn’t entirely without hope.


The Future of Gambling in Arizona

Now that online sports betting and DFS has launched in Arizona, we expect that everyone will be keeping a close watch on how well the industry performs. Mobile sports betting operators are set to pay 10% of revenues in tax, and if successful, we imagine that online casinos Arizona could be eyed for the next cash-cow.

In order for casino online gambling Arizona to become a reality, the state would need to amend its current legislation and its tribal compacts. The law would also likely require tribes to collaborate with major gambling groups to establish their online platforms. This was done for sports betting legalization, so this is not out of the realm of possibility.


Conclusion: No Legal Arizona Online Casinos

As we have discussed, Arizona has an interesting history with gambling. While most gambling activities were outlawed for the majority of the 20th century, its acceptance of tribal gaming has proven that there is plenty of local support for the industry. Now that online sports betting is legalized, we do think anything can happen.

With legal online casinos, Arizona could offer a great selection of fair, high-quality slots and table games, live dealer games and much more. Unfortunately, Arizona is far away from other legal online casino states, though a visit to New Jersey or Pennsylvania is well worth the trip to check it out.

In 2021, Arizonans were finally allowed to make online wagers on sports betting and DFS. Hopefully it won’t be much longer until online casinos are a reality.
Fred Williams Author and Casino Expert

FAQs About Online Gambling Arizona

If you still have questions about the online casino market in Arizona, keep reading. In this upcoming section, we’ve answered commonly asked questions about online gambling in Arizona and the likelihood of online casinos opening in the future.

🤔 Are online casinos legal in Arizona?
According to current Arizona laws, online casinos are illegal in Arizona. Instead, locals can only play slots and table games at land-based tribal casinos. It is unclear whether this law will change any time soon.
🔎 How do I spot a fake Arizona online gambling site?
Any site that offers you the ability to gamble on online casino games in Arizona is fake and should not be trusted. Sites must be approved by local regulators before they can offer gambling to Arizona gamblers, and as this is illegal in the state, this approval is impossible. Of course, this doesn’t include sites that offer authorized online gambling options.
🏈 Is online sports betting also illegal in Arizona?
No, sports betting is legal in Arizona. Players are able to register with one of several approved bookmakers to set their wagers. However, these sites must be partnered with land-based casinos, so be sure to keep an eye out for the logos of AZ casinos on the page when you’re signing up.
🎰 Are social casino sites legal in Arizona?
Yes, social casinos are legal in Arizona. Here, you can play a number of casino games such as bingo, blackjack, and even poker. Just keep in mind that these are not real money casinos and you will not be able to win any money from your gameplay.