AZ Online Sports Betting

Market selection

Any online sportsbook needs to have comprehensive market coverage to earn a recommendation from our in-house team of expert reviewers. Our top picks feature various betting options for both mainstream and niche sports. You’ll find a particularly deep offering on Arizona-based pro teams, including franchises from major sports leagues, college hoops, and college football.

Bonuses, Odds Boosts, and Promotions

All AZ books offer promotions to achieve and maintain a competitive edge over their main rivals. As part of our selection process, we compare bonus offers of multiple operators and sift out the most generous operators. Ideally, the sportsbook should offer a huge intro promo and a range of rotating deals — daily odds boosts, parlay boosts, reduced juice deals, free bets, and more.

The bonuses offered by our top-rated sportsbooks are easy to clear and accompanied by reasonable T&C, namely low wagering requirements and often with no odds/market restrictions.

Competitive Odds and Lines

Line/odds shopping is an essential aspect of profitable online sports wagering as it allows bettors to maximize returns on their winning bets. We already did the legwork for you and tracked down the Arizona sportsbooks that consistently provide the industry’s most competitive odds and lines.

Mobile Apps

While Mobile Casinos is not yet available – Mobile sports betting has taken off to such an extent that every online sportsbook in Arizona now offers standalone apps for iOS and Android operating systems. That said, we only pick sportsbooks that have well-optimized and highly-functional mobile apps.

Additional Features

Every AZ online book offers unique features to differentiate itself from the pack, including live streaming, cash out, bet builders, custom parlays, and more. All of our top Arizona sportsbooks excel in this regard, offering a full suite of handy features that will take your experience to another level.

Support & Banking

Customer support should diagnose and solve any possible problems with the sportsbook quickly. To that end, bettors should have numerous contact channels at their disposal, including live chat, email, and a toll-free hotline.

It’s equally important that the site offers a wide range of payment options with flexible limits and fast processing times on payouts. That way, you can move funds to and from your account hassle-free.

Brief History of Gambling in Arizona

Gambling in Arizona has a long history, dating back to 1939, when lawmakers legalized dog racing. The Arizona gambling scene did not experience any significant changes until November 1980, when the Grand Canyon State approved the lottery, following the passage of the statewide public initiative (Proposition 200). 

Fast forward to 1988, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act was enacted by the U.S. Congress. This has set up a framework for regulating Indian gaming across the country. Tribal casinos appeared in Arizona but weren’t immediately allowed to kick off their operations. In 1992, the tribes got the green light to start offering slots within their premises after signing compacts with the state. Since then, land-based casino gambling has increased in Arizona, with more than 20 gambling venues operating within the state.

In 2016, Gov Doug Ducey signed off two bills that effectively outlawed greyhound racing in the state amid the rising public concerns about the dogs’ welfare.

Sports Betting in Arizona: Timeline

The game-changing moment for legal sports betting in the U.S. happened when the Supreme Court lifted the PASPA ban in May 2018. The overturn of PASPA gave each individual state the right to introduce legislation that would authorize sports betting. Arizona was quick to jump on the bandwagon and pursue legal sports betting. 

The lawmakers had to compromise with the tribes, which had a monopoly on gaming in the state. They reached a settlement whereby pro sports teams and the tribes would evenly split 20 online sports betting licenses among themselves. 

Here are the key events that led to the legalization of sports betting in Arizona: 

• 2019: Sen. Sonny Borrelli introduces SB 1158 in the Arizona state legislature. This bill would have legalized sports betting at stadiums, bars, and casinos, but it got rejected by the Senate’s committee, mainly due to the resistance from the Tribes.
• 2020: Sen. Sonny Borrelli and Rep. Pierce submit SB 1525, which is basically a modified version of SB 1158. The measure didn’t get past two readings.  
• February 9, 2021: SB 1797 and HB 2772 were presented to the legislature for consideration. Both bills would allow for statewide retail and online sports betting if approved. 
• March 2021: The House Commerce Committee gave thumbs up to HB 2772. The Senate was the next in line to decide on the bill it wanted to proceed with. 
• April 12, 2021: With both bills on the table, the Senate opted for the House version and approved it after a 23-6 vote. It then got shipped off to Gov Doug Ducey’s desk for final signature. 
• April 15, 2021: The Governor signed HB 2772 into law, authorizing keno, DFS, and sports betting (online and retail) in Arizona, and also released an updated tribal compact. 

September 9, 2021: Seven sportsbooks went live in Arizona. The launch date coincided with the 2021 NFL season opener.

Sports Betting in Arizona: License and Tax Information

The state carved out a total of 20 sports betting licenses. The license holders may operate up to two online betting skins, according to draft rules. One online platform is included with the permit, while the other requires additional approval from the ADG (the licensee must submit a request to the commission before launching the second skin). 

The permit also allows for brick-and-mortar betting. Eligible teams are permitted one sportsbook on-site and another betting shop at a location nearby. 

The 20 available licenses are evenly distributed between pro sports teams and native tribes. 

The Arizona Department of Gaming was appointed the main regulatory body for all sports betting activities, including retail and online. 

When it comes to taxes and fees, here’s the rundown: 

• The tax rate is set at 8% for retail wagers and 10% for online bets.
• The ADG has imposed a $100,000 application fee, $750,000 license fee, and $150,000 annual renewal fee.

Players must report winnings from sports betting when submitting their tax reports to the IRS. Gambling winnings are currently subject to a 24% federal tax rate plus a 2.59-4.5% state tax. 

Finally, ten licenses for ‘limited event wagering operators’ became available. These are retail-only permits for betting shops at racing venues. This means that operators must partner with one of the 20 entities mentioned above (tribes and/or pro sports teams). However, these licenses carry significantly lower fees — a $25,000 fee and $5,000 for application and annual renewal, respectively.

How to Get Started in an Arizona online sportsbook

Getting started at AZ betting sites is a walk in the park. First up, you need to pick a sportsbook that suits your taste — you’ll find several suggestions on this page. 

When you arrive at your chosen betting site and open the registration form, you’ll need to provide some basic information about your ID and whereabouts, including:  

• Full name 
• Login credentials (username, password, and email) 
• Date of birth 
• Last four digits of your Social Security Number 
• Address 
• Cell number 
• Bonus code (if applicable) 

Then, tick the T&C boxes, and it’s game time. Naturally, you’ll need to top up your account before getting in on the action. The funding process is intuitive, with the deposit button transparently displayed in your account menu. 

On the off chance the sportsbook cannot verify the information you provided during registration, you’ll need to submit additional proof of ID/address, namely a driver’s license, passport, and/or a bank statement or utility bill (not older than six months).

Eligibility and geolocation

The legal gambling age at Arizona sportsbooks (both online and retail) is set at 21(the same age restriction as in most states). 

Geolocation requirements apply to all Arizona bettors, meaning you must be located inside the state’s lines when submitting your wager. The books will use geolocation trackers to pinpoint your exact location.

If you intend to bet via PC or laptop, you’ll have to download a geolocation plugin. On-the-go- bettors are in the clear as mobile devices already have a built-in GPS chip, and you won’t have to download anything except the native apps, and that’s optional.

Arizona Sports Betting Partnerships with Professional Teams

Arizona has a rich sports scene with representatives in all four major leagues and the WNBA. All teams are based within the Phoenix metropolitan area and are eligible for a sports betting license. 

Most high-profile sports organizations have already paired up with an AZ sports betting platform. Here are the details: 

• Arizona Cardinals and BetMGM: On Aug 9, 2021, BetMGM teamed up with the esteemed NFL franchise the Arizona Cardinals and the Gila River Tribe. Although the law mandates sportsbooks to partner with either a pro team or tribe, BetMGM has done both, thus further expanding its footprint in Arizona. As per the deal, the gambling powerhouse was allowed to set up shops at Cardinal’s State Farm Stadium and three Gila River Tribe gaming facilities — Vee Quiva, Lone Butte, and Wild Horse Pass. Check out our BetMGM Casino Review for more details.
• Phoenix Suns and FanDuel: The two joined forces in April 2021 in a deal that saw FanDuel become the Suns’ DFS partner and official sportsbook. Under the terms, the operator was permitted to open a retail sportsbook at Footprint Center, the home of the NBA franchise.
• TPC Scottsdale + PGA Tour and DraftKings: In another blockbuster deal, DraftKings gained market access in Arizona and the right to open a sportsbook on-site at TPC Scottsdale. This golf course hosts the annual Waste Management Phoenix Open. 
• Arizona Diamondbacks + Harrah’s Ak-Chin and Caesars: The MLB team agreed on a 10-year deal with Caesars, allowing the gambling enterprise to offer its online betting products to Arizona residents and open a retail sportsbook at Chase Field, the Diamondbacks’ stadium. Caesars is also a sports betting partner of the Ak-Chin Tribe; more specifically, the Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino.
• Phoenix Mercury and Bally’s: The first-ever partnership between a WNBA team and a sportsbook was signed in June 2021. The deal saw Bally’s become the exclusive betting partner for 15 years, giving the corporation the ability to launch a mobile sportsbook and a brick-and-mortar betting shop near the Footprint Center. 
• Phoenix Raceway and Barstool: Barstool and its parent company Penn National Gaming agreed with NASCAR and the Phoenix Raceway track in July 2021. Plans for establishing a betting shop at the track are in the pipeline, while the sportsbook has already launched a sports betting app in Arizona. 
• Arizona Rattlers and BetRivers: In August 2021, RSI announced a sports betting partnership with the IFL’s Arizona Rattlers, which gave the company a path into the state for its BetRivers sportsbook. 
• Arizona Coyotes and SaharaBets: In January 2022, the NFL team partnered up with Meruelo Gaming, the company that also belongs to the owner of the Coyotes, Alex Meruelo. The deal gave SaharaBets the go-ahead to launch in Arizona. 

The remaining two slots for professional sports organizations are yet to be allocated.

What Types of Bets Can I Make in Arizona?

Arizona sportsbooks feature a full suite of betting options, although the exact wagering menu varies from one operator to another. The books usually go all out during marquee events like the NBA Finals, Stanley Cup, or the World Series and boost their offerings, adding bets that aren’t normally available. 

Here are the most common types of bets you’ll find at AZ betting sites:  

• Moneylines: With this simple wager, the bettor merely has to pick the contest winner. The negative moneyline odds are attached to the favorite side and signify how much you bet to win $100. The positive number is assigned to the underdog team (player), and it shows how much of a profit you’ll make for a $100 winning wager on that side. The bigger the discrepancy in odds between the two sides on the moneyline, the more lopsided the game the books predict. 
• Point spread: This wager revolves around a margin of victory in a given sporting event. The ‘spread’ balances the scales between two unevenly matched teams. To win a bet on the favorites, that side needs to win by more points than the spread indicates. Conversely, a bet on the underdogs would win if they win the game outright or stay within the spread range. 
• Totals: Also referred to as ‘over/under,’ a bet on the combined score of both teams. You have to pick whether the actual total will go over or under the sportsbook’s estimate. The AZ sportsbooks will usually offer identical odds on both sides of the threshold (the same payout for ‘over’ and ‘under’). 
• Futures: These are long-term wagers which are decided down the road and cover the entire series, championships, and tournaments. Popular options include championship/conference/division winners and individual awards — MVP, Rookie of the Year, Most Improved Player, and more. The most appealing aspect of futures bets is favorable odds; you can win big even on a small-sized wager. The trade-off comes in that they are difficult to hit. 
• Props: Short for proposition bets, it is an exotic wager on miscellaneous aspects of the game. These wagers usually focus on specific statistical milestones and are based on an individual player’s performance or a team as a whole. 
• Combo bets: Parlays, round robins, and teasers are the three core multi bets offered at Arizona sportsbooks. With all three of these bets, you combine multiple picks on the same slip together for a bigger payout. The potential profit increases with each selection (leg) added. Teasers allow bettors to shift the lines in their favor in exchange for a reduced payout. Round Robins are constructed from several mini-parlays and don’t require bettors to hit all selections. 

Live bets: These bets are made on events that have already started. The lines and odds will fluctuate in response to what’s going on in the game. At most AZ sportsbooks, you’ll be able to access the in-play lobby via the homepage menus on the left. Most of the above-discussed wagers are available for live betting, except futures.

What Bets Are Off-Limits?

Unlike states such as New Jersey, Arizona allows betting on local college teams. This is great news for the domestic Arizona State Sun Devils and University of Arizona Wildcats fans. There’s a catch, though — the legislation forbids college props bets on individual players, like over/under for points/rebounds/assists in a given Wildcats game. 

When it comes to other exclusions, it’s worth mentioning that esports betting is deemed illegal by state law; the same goes for placing bets on political affairs.

Responsible Gambling in Arizona

Arizona sportsbooks are fully committed to responsible gambling and provide educational resources and proactive tools to mitigate problem gambling. There’s a dedicated RG section on all sites where players will find tools to set limits, cool-off periods, and self-exclusion.