Arizona Casinos and Online Gambling: Pros, Cons, and Ratings

Latest Updates for Arizona Casinos

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Can I Gamble Online in Arizona?

Yes, there are several types of legal online gambling in Arizona. Pari-mutuel betting on racehorses and dogs has been a staple of Arizona life since before World War II. Then, in the late 1980s, the U.S. Congress authorized Native American tribes to operate gaming facilities on reservation lands, and Arizona joined other states in the Tribal casino boom of the 1990s. The most recent chapter of Arizona gambling has been the legalization of sports betting and online fantasy sports in 2021.

Although the greyhounds stopped running in 2018, gamblers in Arizona can enjoy pari-mutuel wagering on horses at Turf Paradise, Arizona Downs and through off-track betting locations around the state. Visitors and locals can also participate in the Arizona lottery system that includes scratch-off tickets and participation in the two biggest multi-state drawings, Mega Millions and Powerball.

There are more than two-dozen land-based casinos in operation that range in size from slots parlors and local poker rooms to full Las Vegas-style gaming resorts with slots, blackjack and other table games. The 2021 law not only legalizes in-person and mobile sports betting, but also legalizes daily fantasy games and paves the way for an eventual expansion of table games offered in Arizona's licensed casinos.

Potential Arizona online casinos, however, are not part of the current expansion. This could change, but for the time being, only sports bettors will be able to place online bets.

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Is It Legal to Gamble Online in Arizona?

At this time, online sports betting is the only form of online gambling in Arizona. Betting on daily fantasy sports online is also legal. You cannot legally gamble at online casinos. Whether this will change depends on Arizona gambling laws and legislation passed in the state. Right now, Arizona tribes are interested in legalizing online casinos in the state and discussions are being had, but there is still a long way to go before online casinos are legal in AZ.

What Legal Gambling Options in Arizona Are Available Now?

• Land-Based Casinos There are more than 20 land-based casinos in operation. Slots players, or gamblers looking for live poker games and tournaments or blackjack-type gambling games, have multiple options.
• Online Casinos and Poker The recent bill that expanded gaming in Arizona did not include a provision for this type of gaming.
• Lottery Arizona has a state lottery with jackpot games and scratch-off tickets. The Grand Canyon State also participates in Mega Millions and Powerball.
• Racing If your wagers tend toward the equine, Arizona has two major horse racing venues for you: Turf Paradise for Quarter Horses and Harness Racing, and Arizona Downs for Thoroughbreds. You also can wager at restaurants, bars and other locations that serve as off-track-betting sites.
• Sportsbooks The new Arizona sportsbook law allows for 20 licenses to be issued — 10 for tribal casinos and 10 more for Arizona's major sporting venues — including those associated with major sports. Bet on the NFL, college football, NBA, golf, MLB, soccer, NHL, NASCAR and more. Bettors can place bets in a brick-and-mortar sportsbook, online or from an app.
• Fantasy Sports Arizona's new laws finally made daily fantasy sports explicitly legal in the state. DraftKings Arizona and FanDuel Arizona are leaders in this space.
• Bingo There was a farmer had a dog ... and it seems they both moved to Arizona. Bingo is a popular pastime in the state, with many resorts featuring multi-hundred room.
• Social Gambling Social casinos and sweepstakes casinos are perfectly legal in Arizona, as long as there is no monetary exchange between you and the operator. The Arizona Department of Gaming has said there is no legislation specifically defining or targeting "sweepstakes", but that any model that uses dual currencies and paid "coin" packages can still be treated as illegal gambling if the paid route effectively buys entries or advantages. The ADG has sent cease-and-desist orders to several sweepstakes-style casino and gambling sites, so it wouldn't be surprising to see legislation brought forward that specifically targets these types of sites.

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Online Casino Laws Arizona

You can play slots or table games for free at online casinos based in other states. However, the Arizona online casino list is still decidedly light. Casino gaming has been legal since the 1980s and the first tribal casinos appeared a few years later. However, lawmakers have seen fit to only legalize sportsbooks in Arizona. 

• Arizona’s tribes have legal compacts allowing them to provide slots and table games.
• Sports betting is made legal in 2020 and mobile and online sites officially opened on Sept. 9, 2021.
• Tribal casino gaming is relaxed in 2021 but there are yet to be any bills surrounding online casinos.

Are There Casinos in Arizona?

There are around 25 casinos in the state, with a number of them offering retail sportsbooks in Arizona. All casinos are tribal, which means they are owned and operated by an established Arizona Native American tribe. You can take your pick of video slots, electronic gaming terminals, or table games such as roulette and blackjack.

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List of the Best Land-Based Casinos in Arizona

Most of Arizona’s tribes either operate a casino or have the power to do so. But are they well-positioned to launch AZ online casino apps in the future? It’s true that the tribal casinos have a long experience of running land-based casinos in the state. By the end of 2022, most casinos will have some kind of online sports betting up and running.

It would seem logical that land-based operators will have little trouble setting up AZ online casinos as laws change. For now, gamblers will have to wait a little longer for the best Arizona online casinos to launch. However, it will be interesting to see how good the first regulated sportsbook apps evolve.

• Casino Arizona and Talking Stick Resort Casino Arizona and Talking Stick Resort are two of the best casinos in Arizona. They are both operated by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community and offer a mix of Class II and Class III gaming. Combined, the two boast more than 1,000 slots, including classic games and statewide progressive jackpots.
• Cliff Castle Casino Hotel Cliff Castle is one of two casinos in Arizona owned and operated by the Yavapai Apache Nation. The casino floor spreads 650+ slot machines, including a blend of nostalgic games and state-of-the-art video slots. You also can try cutting-edge electronic tables such as Digital Craps.
• Bucky’s Casino Situated in the vast Prescott Center, Bucky’s Casino is operated by the Yavapai Prescott Indian Tribe. At Bucky’s, you can take a shot at more than 500 slots with a range of stakes, try table games such as American Roulette or enjoy eateries and stores in Frontier Village.
• Casino Del Sol Resort Billed as Tucson’s premier gaming casino, Casino del Sol boasts one of the biggest slot selections in Arizona. There are more than 1,300 video slots on show, plus progressives, penny slots and nickel machines. You also can hit the high-limit lounge with a selection of video slots and $1,200 VIP blackjack tables.
• Desert Diamond Casino & Hotel There are four casinos under the Desert Diamond brand, but Tucson boasts the biggest game selection of them all. You can try more than 1,100 slot machines, as well as some of the biggest progressives in the state. Watch for monthly jackpots and new games added every month.

Who Regulates Online Casinos in AZ?

All gambling in Arizona is overseen by the Arizona Department of Gaming. The ADG is responsible for helping regulate Class III tribal casinos, along with the tribes themselves. However, at an online slots casino, Arizona players will be able to try games regulated purely by the ADG. The ADG likely will be responsible for issuing gaming licenses and ensuring that Arizona online casinos have a robust business model in place. Players will be protected, and the games will be properly audited.

In addition, the Arizona Department of Gaming would ensure that online casinos in Arizona offer players the right tools to get manage their gambling. Players would be able to set deposit and stop-loss limits and have complete control over the length of their gaming sessions.

You'd also request a complete self-exclusion from any of the online casinos in Arizona. Our AZ online casino reviews will carry a comprehensive report on which gambling sites are looking after their players. We'll know who has trained customer support agents, and which real cash online casino AZ sites are respecting their players.

Offshore Gambling Sites vs. Legal Online Casinos

Looking for real cash casino games? The only safe, completely legal option is visiting one of the 20+ physical casinos in Arizona. Sweepstakes casinos can operate in a gray area, as they aren't defined by law according to state legislation. 

Because there are no true legal options for real money online casinos in Arizona, some gamblers may be enticed to visit offshore gambling sites. We do not recommend using these sites for several reasons:

• Not regulated or licensed in the United States
• Player funds may not be properly segregated from operating costs
• No legal recourse for appeal or complaints
• No guarantee that a bonus will be honored
• No guarantee you receive your funds when requesting a withdrawal
• Games can be impossible to win with low odds and no oversight

What Does the Future Hold for Arizona Casinos Online?

Will Arizona online casinos finally arrive in the Grand Canyon State? Many U.S. states are taking small steps toward legalized online gambling, and Arizona has finally legalized online sports betting. That’s a huge milestone for regulated internet gaming. So, while you wait for the first Arizona online casinos, try out social casinos or give sweepstakes slots a try. You can also find hundreds of demo play casino slots online if you’re over 21. Be sure to stay up to date with the latest Arizona gambling news by bookmarking this site.

BetArizona.com is an independent sports betting comparison website with affiliate links. That means if you click on one of our links that directs to an operator and you make a deposit, we’ll receive commission payment at no extra cost to you. Our operator reviews and recommendations for Arizona sportsbooks and more are impartial as our editorial standards are commercially independent and follow a professional methodology.

Author

Calli Varner

@CalliDoesSports

Calli Varner

Calli is lifelong resident of Arizona and has been an avid sports fan since she can remember. After earning her Bachelor’s degrees from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University, she combined her passion for journalism and sports. Calli has covered the NFL, NBA, MLB, NCAAF, college sports, and sports betting for several media outlets.