Arizona Online Gambling and Top Casinos in 2024

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Gambling in Arizona

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At least one form of gambling has been legal in Arizona since 1945.

Tribal casinos were authorized in 1988, beginning a partnership between administrators and tribes.

Over the years, the state has legalized many forms of online wagering, including sports betting and horse racing.

In-state online casinos and poker rooms are yet to be regulated, but that does not prohibit AZ residents from playing at offshore sites.

In this guide, you’ll discover where you can legally gamble in The Grand Canyon State and the regulations about it.

Summary of Arizona Gambling Laws

Arizona offers numerous land-based and online options for gamblers. Here’s a quick rundown of what’s available in The Grand Canyon State.

GamblingArizona
Is Online Gambling Legal?Yes
Playing at Online CasinosOffshore Only
Legal Age Online21
Land-Based CasinosYes
Legal Age Land-Based21
Online Sports BettingYes
Charitable GamblingYes
State LotteryYes
Social GamingYes

Arizona has many forms of legal gambling, including tribal-regulated casinos.

Here’s how each type breaks down under AZ law.

GamblingLegal Status
Casino GamblingLand-based casino games are only legal in tribal reservations.

There are currently 25 facilities across the state.
PokerPoker is legal in tribal and social casinos. Home games are also allowed.
Horse Racing BettingHorse racing is legal at three race tracks and two county fairs.

Also, there are 60 off-track betting locations (OTB) where it’s legal to bet on events approved by the Department of Gaming.
Dog Racing BettingGreyhound racing is only legal at OTB locations throughout Arizona.

The state outlawed live greyhound racing in 2016.
LotteryThe Lottery is legal in Arizona and offers scratch tickets and quick-draw games.

Online sales are not available.
Daily Fantasy SportsDFS is legal in The Grand Canyon State.

The Department of Gaming regulates it and provides a catalog of approved events.
Sports BettingLand-based and online sports betting is legal in AZ, with the first regulated site opening in September 2021.
Charitable GamingRaffles, pull tabs, bingo, and Horse Racing Charity Days are the sole legal forms of charitable gambling in Arizona.
Social GamingSocial gambling is legal as long as players are 21 or older and the organizer does not profit from hosting the game.
Online GamblingSports betting, daily fantasy sports, and horse racing are all legal under state law.

Playing in online casinos is not defined in the statutes, so players can still join offshore sites.

Best Online Casinos for AZ Players in 2024

As mentioned above, Arizona does not offer state-regulated online casinos, but you can play at sites licensed in foreign jurisdictions.

Here are some of the top options available to Arizonans.

Where to Gamble in Arizona

Whether you’re looking to have a good time with a couple of blackjack hands, place a bet online on the Cardinals or Diamondbacks, or even play a few rounds of bingo, there are plenty of options in AZ.

Let’s take a look at where you can gamble in The Grand Canyon State.

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Land-Based Casinos in Arizona

Every federally recognized tribe in Arizona has signed a compact with the state government allowing casino games.

The most recent changes to the state compacts came in 2021 when legislators added Class III gambling.

This expansion allows tribal facilities to offer craps, roulette, baccarat, and other games in addition to traditional games like slots and blackjack.

There are currently 25 venues operating throughout the state.

Here are the exact locations:

CasinoAddressRegion
Apache Gold Casino Resort777 Geronimo Springs Blvd, San Carlos, AZ 85550San Carlos Apache
Apache Sky Casino777 Apache Sky Blvd, Winkelman, AZ 85192Central
Blue Water Resort & Casino11300 Resort Dr, Parker, AZ 85344West Coast
Bucky’s Casino1500 AZ-69, Prescott, AZ 86301Quad Cities
Casino Arizona524 N 92nd St, Scottdale, AZ 85256Phoenix Metropolitan
Casino Del Sol5655 W Valencia Rd, Tucson, AZ 85757Sonoran Desert
Cliff Castle Casino Hotel555 W. Middle Verde Rd, Camp Verde, AZ 86322Verde River Valley
Cocopah Casino15318 S Avenue B, Somerton, AZ 85350Yuma Valley
Desert Diamond Casino & Hotel – Tusscon7350 S. Nogales Hwy, Tuscon, AZ 85756Sonoran Desert
Desert Diamond Casinos & Entertainment – Sahuarita1100 W Pima Mine Rd, Sahuarita, AZ 85629Greater Tucson
Desert Diamond Casino -West Valley9431 W Northern Ave, Glendale, AZ 85305West Valley
Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino15406 N Maripoca Rd, Maricopa, AZ 85139Sonoran Desert
Hon Dah Casino777 AZ-260, Pinetop AZ, 85935Navajo Country
Lone Butte Casino1077 S Kyrene Rd, Chandler, AZ 85226South Central
Mazatzal CasinoHighway 87, Mile Marker 251, Payson, AZ 85541Mogolion Rim
Paradise Casino450 Quechan Dr, Yuma, AZ 85364Sonoran Desert
Santan Mountain Casino7101 South Gilbert Rd, Chandler, AZ 85249South Central
Spirit Mountain Casino8555 AZ-95, Mohave Valley, AZ 86440Mohave Country
Talking Stick Resort9800 Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, AZ 85256Phoenix Metropolitan
Twin Arrows Casino22181 Resort Blvd, Flagstaff, AZ 86004Northern
Vee Quiva Hotel & Casino15091 South Komatke Lane, Laveen Village, AZ 85339South Mountain
We-Ko-Pa Casino10438 WeKoPa Way, Fort McDowell, AZ 85264Sonoran Desert
Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd, Chandler, AZ 85226South Central
Yavapai Casino1505 AZ-69, Prescott, AZ 86303Quad Cities
Green icon showing outline of a racing horse's head with bridle and reins

Horse & Dog Tracks

Turf Paradise, Arizona Downs, and Rillito Park Race Track offer live horse racing and betting year-round in The Grand Canyon State.

Additionally, you can bet on horses is at the Cochise County and Santa Cruz State Fairs.

Online bets are available through Advanced Deposit Wagering, and there are also 60 OTB locations throughout AZ that allow pari-mutuel betting.

Arizona no longer offers live greyhound racing, with the government banning it in 2016.

However, you can bet on out-of-state greyhound races at OTB locations.

a green football, soccer ball, and basketball

Online Sports Betting

As mentioned above, online sports betting became legal in the state in 2021.

Arizona Department of Gaming regulates sportsbooks, and every operator must partner with a tribal casino or a professional sports team.

Presently, there are 17 regulated sports betting sites.

Bets on college games are allowed, but doing so on high school sports is illegal.

green bingo card icon

Bingo Halls and Charitable Gambling

Bingo, pull tabs, raffles, and charitable horse racing are all legal in Arizona.

The most prevalent type of charitable gambling is bingo. There are over 80 halls throughout the state.

Pull tabs are operated through the lottery, and you can buy tickets at restaurants, bars, and some philanthropic institutions.

Organizations must meet certain standards to hold legal raffles in The Grand Canyon State. Find the list of requirements at the Arizona Department of Gaming.

Green House Icon

Social Gaming at Home

Social gaming is a clearly defined exemption to Arizona laws.

Home gambling is legal in AZ, provided that all participants are over 21 and the hosts do not profit from operating the game.

However, the laws permit operators to play in the games as they have the same chances of winning or losing as anyone else.

ficha de póker con una pica en el centro

Poker Rooms and Clubs

Live poker is legal in tribal casinos. Cash games and tournaments are also permitted.

Online poker is still a gray area for Arizona gamblers.

There are no state-regulated online rooms, but no laws explicitly prohibit the activity, so players can still legally play at out-of-state sites.

No one has ever been prosecuted for gambling in offshore sites from AZ.

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Casino Cruises

Arizona is a landlocked state, so they do not offer cruises. The closest state with cruises offering gambling is California.

Real Money Online Casino Games for Arizona

Offshore online casinos offer Arizonans a fantastic selection of real money titles. They have a wider library of options and lower stakes than tribal casinos.

Check out some of the types of games you’ll find.

icon cherry slot symbol

Online Slots

Our recommended Arizona casinos offer 24/7 access to exciting online slots from several game providers.

These titles have from classic one-arm bandit-style slots to modern mechanics like Megaways, cascading reels, and more.

Offshore sites offer massive fixed and progressive jackpots, with some games awarding millions to lucky winners.

Slot machines are easily the most popular game in tribal casinos. However, online casinos offer a more convenient way to play.

three poker cards icon

Online Poker

Out-of-state poker rooms allow players to work on their game and have instant access to several variants.

You can play Texas Hold’em, Pot-Limit Omaha, Omaha Hi-Lo, Stud poker, and Short Deck Hold’em games.

Some online poker sites offer tournaments with massive prize pools that rival brick-and-mortar events.

You can also win your way into large multi-table live events like the World Poker Tour.

icon blackjack stand green

Blackjack

Most offshore licensed online casinos offer Arizonans a wide variety of blackjack games.

In addition to standard blackjack titles, you can find variants like Double Exposure Blackjack, Vegas Blackjack, Pontoon, Spanish 21, and more.

Online casinos regulated outside of AZ are perfect for those looking to learn the strategy.

These sites offer lower minimum bets and more favorable player rules than tribal casinos.

icon live dealer green

Live Dealer Games

If you prefer the interaction you get at tribal facilities, consider live dealer games.

These are streamed live from a real casino floor to your screen and allow real time interaction between players and dealers.

You’ll find many of the same titles as you would in land-based casinos, including versions of blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and poker variants like Caribbean Hold’em.

Some offshore sites offer show-style live games like Deal or No Deal Live, Crazy Time, and Music Wheel.

Other Available Games at Online Casinos in Arizona

Online casinos licensed outside of The Grand Canyon State offer a full-service library of casino games to Arizonans.

Here’s a look at some other titles you’ll find.

Top Bonuses at Gambling Sites for Arizona Players

Casino bonuses are what separate the contenders from the pretenders. We’ve scoured the internet looking for the best online casino bonuses for Arizonans. 

Check out these fantastic offers from top reputable gambling sites.

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150 Free spins are awarded over three days on Mythic Wolf, Golden Gorilla, and Five Times Wins.

There’s a cap of $100 on free spin winnings and a limit of 10x your deposit on bonus winnings.

Arizona Online Gambling Laws

Since 1988 when tribal casinos were legalized, the state has authorized Class III gambling, OTB locations, online horse race wagering, and sports betting.

The Department of Gaming is in charge of regulating most gaming in the state.

Here’s a glimpse of the specific legislation.

icono verde con cartas, un dado y una ficha

Is Online Gambling Legal in Arizona?

Some forms of online gambling are legal in Arizona.

Advance deposit wagering (ADW), sports betting, and daily fantasy sports are permitted and regulated.

However, Internet casinos and poker rooms fall into a legal gray area.

While opening an online casino based in AZ is illegal, officials do not criminalize the cat of playing at out-of-state sites.

a bag of cash with an X in the center

Games of Chance and Skill

Arizona gambling statutes cover all forms of contests where something is wagered for a benefit.

This includes a “game or contest of chance or skill or a future contingent event.

This effectively eliminated the “luck vs. skill” argument used by some to justify some forms of gambling, like online poker.

However, the law does exempt amusement devices, such as crane games.

an open book with a check mark on one page and an x on the other

Profiting from Gambling

According to Section 13-3304 of the Arizona laws, benefiting from a gambling operation is a Class 1 misdemeanor.

However, state law does allow law enforcement to seize all gambling-related devices.

Also, violators are subject to forfeiture, which includes all money or property determined to result from the illegal gambling operation.

Green Megaphone Icon

Illegal Gambling Promotion

The most severe criminal charge is connected to the promotion of illegal gambling.

Anyone who manages, directs, supervises, or gives advice to running an unlawful gambling operation is subject to a Class 5 felony as stated in section 13-1303 of the AZ statutes.

Arizona Online Gambling vs. Neighboring States

You may be surprised at how AZ gambling laws compare to those of its neighbors.

Let’s see how they stack up.

US StatePlaying at Online CasinosState Regulated CasinosSocial CasinosOnline Sports BettingLotteryFantasy SportsCharitable Gaming
ArizonaOffshore OnlyTribal OnlyLegalLegalLegalLegalLegal
CaliforniaOffshore OnlyNot LegalLegalOffshore OnlyLegalGrey AreaLegal
New MexicoOffshore OnlyTribal OnlyLegalNot LegalLegalGrey AreaLegal
NevadaOffshore OnlyNot LegalLegalLegalNot LegalNot LegalLegal
UtahNot LegalNot LegalNot LegalNot LegalNot LegalNot LegalNot Legal

Compared to its neighboring states, Arizona is more progressive in gaming across the board.

The only state that comes close is Nevada, which is expected since they are the gambling capital of the United States.

New Mexico comes in a close third only because they have yet to legalize online sports betting.

California and its tribes have been battling for years over online gambling, which is part of the reason they continue to lag behind.

Finally, Utah has stubbornly remained anti-gambling and has even passed state laws that guarantee they will stay like that for years to come.

Tips to Play at AZ Online Casinos Safely

While there are no state-regulated online casinos in The Grand Canyon State, you can still play at sites regulated outside. 

Below are some tips to help you stay safe when gambling in AZ:

icon safety green

Avoid Unlicensed Casinos

Major regulators certify reputable online gambling sites.

Licensing ensures the operator meets industry standards for data protection, security, and honest gaming.

If a casino is not licensed, do not play there.

green binoculars

Review Gaming Providers

You can tell a lot about a casino based on the games they offer and the providers they partner with.

Top game makers like BetSoft, BGaming, and Pragmatic Play hold gaming licenses globally.

Sites that provide quality software will generally offer a good experience to players.

ficha de póker con una pica en el centro

Practice Bankroll Management

Before playing at any casino, set a plan. Determine how much you’re willing to spend and put limits.

Consider using responsible gambling tools that allow you to place restrictions on your play automatically.

Practicing bankroll management will help keep you gambling longer.

Idea Light Bulb with Question Mark

Research Feedback

Besides researching casino features, take some time to look for player feedback, especially from other Arizonans.

Look for patterns, both positive and negative.

There will always be outliers, but if multiple people complain about a site over time, it may be best to avoid it.

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Beware of Casino and Bonus Terms

Take a few minutes to review bonuses and general terms for the casinos. Look for anything that seems unusual or predatory.

This helps you avoid breaking the rules or signing up at a casino with lousy requirements.

Pros & Cons of Gambling in AZ

Arizona has proven to be one of the more progressive western states for gambling

Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of wagering in the state:

Pros

  • 25 tribal casinos and over 60 OTB facilities are available.
  • Retail, DFS, and online sports betting are legal.
  • Charitable bingo, pull tabs, and raffles are permitted.
  • Arizonans can gamble without fear of prosecution at out-of-state online casinos.

Cons

  • The state does not offer regulated online casinos or poker rooms.
  • Online lottery ticket sales are not allowed.
  • There is no legal cover to players against fraud at unregulated sites.

Future of Online Gambling in Arizona: Our Prediction

Arizona has proven to be an example of how state and tribal governments can collaborate to facilitate legal gambling.

The next natural step would be to legalize online casinos.

However, it took five years of negotiations for the state and tribes to agree on sports betting, so don’t expect this to be a fast process.

We predict a similar timeframe will be necessary to regulate online casinos. Realistically, we set a timeframe somewhere between 2027 and 2030

In the meantime, Arizonans can still gamble at offshore regulated sites. 

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Answers to Our Readers’ FAQs

Do you have doubts about online gambling in Arizona? You’re not alone. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions we’ve received.

James Guill

Author

James Guill is a former professional poker player who writes fro GambleOnline.co about poker, sports, casinos, gaming legislation and the online gambling industry in general. His past experience includes working with IveyPoker, PokerNews, PokerJunkie, Bwin, and the Ongame Network. From 2006-2009 he participated in multiple tournaments including the 37th and 38th World Series of Poker (WSOP). James lives in Virginia and he has a side business where he picks and sells vintage and antique items.

James’s Articles

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