Online Gambling License in Arizona

The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) is responsible for regulating unarmed combat sports, event wagering, fantasy sports, racing, and pari-mutuel/simulcast wagering in Arizona. It enforces laws against illegal gaming and supports education and treatment for problem gambling, offering a 24-hour helpline.

ADG oversees tribal casinos under the Arizona Tribal-State Gaming Compacts, with 16 tribes running 23 casinos. These casinos offer Class III games like blackjack and poker, while two Class II facilities are regulated by tribes under federal law.

Although live dog racing is banned, horse racing is legal, with off-track betting allowed at certain locations. Fantasy sports were legalized in 2021, requiring participants to be 21 years old. Six companies, including DraftKings and FanDuel, operate in the state, and operators pay a 5% tax on revenue.

Sports betting became legal in 2021, regulated by the ADG. Bets can be placed on various sports, including Arizona’s professional teams.

The ADG ensures compliance with the tribal-state Compact, including licensing operators and managing certifications for gaming device manufacturers. Fees are required for initial certification and renewals.

It collaborates with law enforcement to look into gaming violations and upholds laws prohibiting illegal and unauthorized gaming. Moreover, ADG offers and supports treatment and education for individuals and families affected by problem gambling. It has a division for problem gambling with a 24-hour, confidential helpline, 1-800-NEXT-STEP.

Types of Gambling Regulated by the ADG

The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) regulates several types of gambling, including:

Tribal casinos

The 22 federally recognized Arizona tribes are parties to the Arizona Tribal-State Gaming Compacts, which regulate gaming in Arizona. There are currently sixteen tribes running twenty-three casinos. The other six do not own casinos but have the right to rent slot machines to other tribes.

Arizona tribes run 25 Class III gaming establishments co-regulated by the tribal gaming office. Each existing gaming establishment can have up to 1,400 gaming machines, providing Vegas-style gaming activities such as blackjack, keno, jackpot, poker, and house-banked poker.

Finally, 2 Class II facilities in Arizona are regulated solely by the tribe that operates the facility with oversight from the National Indian Gaming Commission under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

Horse and dog racing

A law banning live dog racing in Arizona was signed into law by Governor Doug Ducey in 2016. It goes without saying that Arizona does not allow legal dog racing. Even though Arizona is home to a few operational horse racing tracks, it is illegal for them to accept bets on-site.

Currently, state legislators permit track owners to operate seven off-track betting locations. This allows them to accept bets on horse and dog races elsewhere.

According to the law, off-track betting cannot be provided unless actual live racing occurs. Additionally, Arizona has a racing circuit that is open all year long. One of the longest racing meets in the nation is held at Turf Paradise in Phoenix, Arizona. It usually starts in late October and lasts until the first week of May.

Fantasy sports contests

Arizona legalized fantasy sports in 2021. It is home to two fantasy pick’em sports apps: PrizePicks and Underdog Fantasy. Both include fantasy football games where participants guess the anticipated stat totals of athletes for various metrics, like passing yards, rebounds, and points scored.

The laws governing fantasy sports in Arizona mandate that operators submit licensing applications, pay a 5% tax on revenue and abide by all rules established by the Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG).

To participate in Arizona fantasy sports, a participant must be at least 21 years old, according to state regulations. The Arizona Department of Gaming approved six companies to operate daily fantasy sports in Arizona. They include DraftKings, FanDuel, FFPC, Yahoo, Fantasy Sports Shark, and Underdog Sports.

Event wagering (sports betting)

On April 15, 2021, Governor Doug Ducey signed HB 2772 into law, making sports betting legal in Arizona for both retail and online platforms. The Arizona Department of Gaming now creates rules and serves as the main regulator for sports betting.

Sports betting is permissible for those who are at least 21 years old. A vast array of sports and clubs, including professional teams in the state like the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, and Phoenix Suns, are available for wagering.

ADG’s Regulatory Framework

The state and the tribes share regulatory supervision authority over tribal gambling enterprises. Section 6 of the tribal-state Compact requires tribes to regulate its provisions, while Section 7 outlines how the state will monitor them.

The Department has developed various processes to help ensure compliance with the Compact. This includes verifying that tribes appropriately contribute monies to the state. They are also in charge of licensing operators and providing certifications.

To start the certification procedure, an interested party or entity must first obtain a sponsorship letter from the tribal gaming office in charge of the casino or gaming facility.

To apply for a license, the applicant must be approved both by the tribal gaming office and the department after a strict investigation. Manufacturers and distributors of gaming devices must make a certification fee payment of $5,000 with the submission of the application. Renewals happen every two years for $1,000.

FAQs about The Arizona Department of Gaming