Is Sports Betting Legal in Arizona?
Arizona joined the ever-expanding list of US states to allow legal sports betting in 2021, with a law passed that enabled sportsbooks to accept online and in-person bets on most sports. The move came in the wake of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act being overturned in 2018. This paved the way for states to legalize and regulate gambling on sports, which had previously been heavily restricted.
In April 2021, AZ Governor Doug Ducey signed HB2772 into law, enabling the Arizona Department of Gaming to begin awarding licenses for sports betting. The new bill allowed a compromise to be reached between Arizona tribes and local sports teams, with licenses split between them, and it wasn’t long before the first sportsbooks arrived.
Timeline of AZ Betting
- January 14, 2021 – Governor Doug Ducey addresses concerns about the budget and illegal gambling with indications that he intends to support a legal sports betting bill.
- March 4, 2021 – The HB2772 bill, which aims to legalize sports betting, is approved by the Arizona House, and later by the Senate too.
- April 15, 2021 – HB2772 is signed into law by Gov Doug Ducey, and the US Department of the Interior approves the changes to the tribal compact.
- July 7, 2021 – The Arizona Department of Gaming beings accepting license applications after the period of public comment on sports betting ends.
- September 9, 2021 – Sports betting in Arizona officially goes live, with legal sportsbooks available online and at retail locations.
Arizona Sports Betting at a Glance
| Arizona retail sports betting legal status | Legal and live |
| Arizona online sports betting legal status | Legal and live |
| Arizona online sports betting launch date | September 9 2021 |
| Arizona sports betting regulator | Arizona Department of Gaming |
| Number of sportsbook licenses available | 20 |
| Total bets placed in first month | $291 million |
| Sportsbook tax rate | 10% |
Top AZ Sportsbooks
There are now up to twenty sportsbook licenses available in AZ, meaning you have plenty of options to choose from when it comes to signing up. Of all the sites we’ve tested, these are some of our favorites based on their best features:
- FanDuel – Best for mobile betting
- Caesars – Best welcome offer
- BetMGM – Best live streams
- DraftKings – Best for new bettors
- BetRivers – Best for regular rewards
- PointsBet – Best for betting markets
- Bet365 – Best sports variety
- Betway – Best odds on lots of events
Choosing a Sportsbook in Arizona
You can bet in Arizona at online and retail sportsbooks. We think online sportsbooks offer the best experience, as they’re easier, more convenient, and provide great bonuses and promotions. If you want to get started, you’ll need to choose a site to join. Here are some of the most important things to consider:
Reviews
The simplest and most effective way to choose a quality sportsbook is to simply check out our reviews. Our expert review team signs up to every licensed Arizona sportsbook and test them out personally. You can use our data and research on AZ sportsbooks to find the site most suitable for your personal needs, and you can always count on our reviews to be completely honest and unbiased.
Our reviews are also updated regularly, so you can find the latest information on Arizona sports betting promos and the best new sites to join. Rather than test each sportsbook out yourself, our reviews give you a quick and straightforward way to discover the best options.
Bonuses
Bonuses are one of the best parts of joining a new sportsbook, with all Arizona betting sites currently giving users the chance to claim rewards when they sign up. If you want to improve your betting experience, bonuses can go a long way, increasing your bankroll and giving you a way to get more value out of your sports bets.
Before signing up to a sportsbook, we recommend checking out the available promotions and reading through the terms and conditions. The best bonuses are easy to claim, and Arizona sportsbooks include offers such as:
- Risk-free bets
- Matched deposit bonuses
- Bet credits
- Loyalty rewards
- No deposit bonuses
Odds and Lines
Aside from bonuses, the odds and lines available at your betting site will have the biggest impact on your betting experience. When you place a bet, the odds of your bet will affect how much profit you make if you’re successful. Higher odds mean more profits, and better lines mean a greater chance of winning.
Although our data show odds between Arizona sportsbooks are typically fairly similar, there is a lot of variation, especially on some events and markets. Choosing a sportsbook that gives you the best odds on the sports you prefer to bet on will mean more profit for you in the long term, so it’s important to look at this data before you join.
Sports and Markets
It’s important not to overlook the sports and markets that your sportsbook offers before you join. All AZ betting sites we’ve tested allow you to bet on major US sports leagues, but the best sites offer lots of other sports and competitions from around the world too. According to our research, most AZ sportsbooks offer odds on:
- NFL
- NBA
- MLB
- NHL
- College Sports
- Tennis
- Premier League Soccer
- Champions League Soccer
- MMA
More variety gives you more betting opportunities and a greater chance of finding value, and the same is true for betting markets. While you might have a particular market you prefer to bet on, having more options is always a good thing. Generally speaking, AZ sportsbooks offer lots of markets, though the availability depends on the popularity of the event. Common markets include:
- Moneyline
- Point spread
- Point total
- Player props
- Game props
- Futures
- Parlays
- Same game parlays
Usability
While bonuses, odds, and markets are important, you need your sportsbook to be easy to use. The best betting sites allow you to sign up and start placing bets within a few minutes with minimal complicated requirements. All legal AZ sportsbooks will require you to prove your ID and location, but the sign up process should still be fast and smooth.
After signing up, using the site should also be easy, with menus that make finding your favorite events straightforward. In addition, the best betting sites are fully compatible with mobile devices, letting you sign up and bet through your mobile browser. According to our research, most AZ sportsbooks also offer their own betting app you can download.
Payments
Placing bets should be simple, and so should making deposits and withdrawals. If you want to start betting, you’re going to need to add funds to your account, which should be as easy as choosing your payment method and entering your details. The best sites accept a wide range of payment options and allow you to deposit instantly with no fees.
The withdrawal process should also be easy and with no delays, ensuring you get your money quickly. We recommend checking the payments page of your chosen sportsbook before you sign up, or take a look at the data we provide in our reviews.
Customer Support
Customer support is there to help you if you have any questions or issues while betting. All good AZ sportsbooks include a help page with frequently asked questions and also make it easy to get in touch with the support team if you have further questions. Common customer support options include:
- FAQ pages
- Live chat
- Email support
- Phone support
- Social media pages
How to Join an Arizona Sportsbook
Joining an AZ sportsbook is really straightforward. All you need to do is follow these simple steps:
- Choose one of our recommended AZ sportsbooks or use our reviews to pick a site you like
- Select the sign up option and enter your full details
- Agree to the site’s terms and conditions to complete the sign up process
- Verify your identity and prove you’re within the state borders to open your account
- Make a deposit using your preferred payment method and claim your bonus
- Choose a sporting event and place your first bet
AZ Sportsbook Deposits Explained
Once you’ve signed up to your chosen Arizona betting site, you’ll need to have funds in your account to start placing bets. Generally, you’ll be able to choose between available payment methods and then enter the amount you’d like to deposit. Before you do so, make sure you’ve entered at least the minimum amount.
Popular AZ sportsbook deposit methods include:
- Online banking
- Debit/credit cards
- Wire transfer
- ACH/eCheck
- PayPal
- Paynearme
How to Claim Arizona Betting Promos
You can claim any of the AZ betting promos here on our site. These offers make betting more fun and will hopefully bring you some extra value too. Before you claim , it’s important to read through the terms and understand how they work. All sportsbook promos come with terms and conditions, such as the ones we’ve highlighted below:
| Terms and Conditions | Example | Explanation |
| Wagering requirement/rollover | 25x | Complete the wagering to withdraw your bonus |
| Promo code | BONUS10 | Enter the promo code when making a deposit to claim your bonus |
| Minimum deposit | $20 | Deposit at least this amount to claim the bonus |
| Minimum bet | $10 | Make a bet of at least this amount to claim the bonus |
| Minimum odds | -200 | Make a bet at these odds or greater to claim the bonus |
Arizona Sportsbook Payouts Guide
If you have enough funds in your account, you can request a withdrawal and receive the money for you to spend however you want. Whether you’ve just landed a big winning parlay or you simply want to get back some of the money you deposited, requesting a payout is normally very simple. You just need to follow these steps:
- Choose your payment method from the available options
- Enter the amount you want to withdraw, making sure it’s at least the minimum
- Confirm the payout and wait for the sportsbook to process your request
In most cases, you’ll need to use the same payment method that you used to make your deposit. It’s worth noting that payout times depend on the type of payment you use, as well as the sportsbook itself. Once the betting site has processed your payout, you can typically expect the following waiting times:
| Payment Method | Withdrawal Time |
| Debit card | 1-5 days |
| PayPal | 30 minutes to 1 day |
| Bank transfer | 1-7 days |
Apps & Mobile Betting in Arizona
You’re not restricted to when and where you can bet in Arizona. Provided you’re within the state borders, you’ll be able to sign up, make deposits and place bets wherever you go. All AZ betting sites are fully compatible with mobile devices, meaning you can access your sportsbook account from your smartphone or tablet.
Of all the AZ sportsbooks we’ve tested, they’ve all been easy to use from your smartphone, offering the same betting experience that you’d get on a desktop device. In addition, there are mobile apps you can download to make betting on the go even more convenient. You can access the same markets, features, and bonuses on the app, and it’s much easier and smoother to use.
Arizona’s Most Popular Sports to Bet On
Arizona is crazy about sports, with a huge density of extremely passionate fans living all across the state. It features a team in every major US sports league, and Arizona also has a very successful college sports program. If you want to bet on AZ sports teams, you have plenty of options.
NFL
There are more football fans in Arizona than any other sport, and it’s by far the most popular sport to bet on too. The state is home to the Arizona Cardinals, currently competing in the NFC West. Unfortunately for AZ football fans, the Cardinals haven’t had much luck in terms of winning the Super Bowl, but they did reach the playoffs in 2021 for the first time in six seasons.
NBA
NBA is almost as big in Arizona as football, with a huge number of passionate followers of the world’s best basketball league. Most fans follow the Phoenix Suns, which are based in the state capital. The Suns are a strong team, having the fifth-best all-time winning percentage in the NBA. They’ve never won the Championship, but they were recently division champions in 2022.
MLB
The MLB might not be as big as it once was in the US, but it’s still followed by a huge number of fans who fill out the ballparks throughout the season. While the MLB is incredibly old, the Arizona Diamondbacks are one of the newest teams in the league, having been established in 1998. They had success early on, winning the World Series in 2001, but since then, Diamondback fans haven’t had as much to cheer about.
NHL
While Arizona might be the last place you’d expect to find an ice rink, the state is home to a growing number of fervent hockey fans. AZ fans mostly follow the Arizona Coyotes, a team that has unfortunately had a difficult time, with bankruptcy in 2009 and issues with their arena. The team is currently the oldest NHL franchise to have never appeared in the Stanley Cup Finals.
MLS
Soccer is extremely popular in Arizona, with the state often hosting soccer games featuring the men’s national team. While AZ doesn’t have an MLS team, it is home to Phoenix Rising FC, a soccer team competing in the USL Championship, the Division II league of the MLS. However, there could be plans to move a larger MLS franchise to the city soon as the league looks to capitalize on the fans.
College Sports
College football and basketball are also huge throughout AZ, with fans following the success of the Division I teams, including the Wildcats, Sun Devils, Antelopes, and Lumberjacks. You can bet on all college sports in Arizona, including games involving teams based in the state. However, you won’t be able to place prop bets on these games.
Why Sign Up to Multiple Arizona Sportsbooks
There are up to twenty different sportsbooks available for you to join, and there’s nothing stopping you from creating an account with each one. While it’s normal to have a favorite site, there are many advantages to joining multiple sportsbooks.
More Bonuses
Most of the AZ sports betting sites we’ve tested offer bonuses, including welcome offers and regular promotions. Welcome bonuses are by far the most lucrative, but you can only claim them once per site. As a result, it makes sense to join multiple sportsbooks, as that way, you can benefit from multiple bonuses.
Best Odds and Lines
Better odds and lines mean a greater chance of your bets winning and more profits when they do. You can compare odds by checking our sportsbook reviews, but unless you already have an account set up it can be difficult to take advantage of favorable lines before they move. If you want to consistently place your bets at the best odds, make sure you have multiple sportsbooks in use.
More Variety
Some sportsbooks offer different features, including live streams, special markets, detailed statistics, and more. By signing up to multiple sites, you can discover all these features and try them out for yourself, deciding which ones you like best. This gives you a better idea of what’s available and helps you get more out of your betting experience.
Arizona Betting FAQ
Is it legal to bet on sports in Arizona?
Sports betting is completely legal in Arizona, provided you’re at least 21 years old and are using a licensed sportsbook. The state can license up to twenty different sports betting operators, and both online and in-person betting is available on a wide range of sports.
How do I sign up to a sportsbook in AZ?
Signing up is easy no matter which sportsbook you choose. First, make sure your site is available in AZ, then enter your full details and confirm your ID and location. After this, you just need to add funds to our account, and you can start betting.
Can I claim promos at Arizona sportsbooks?
Almost all Arizona sportsbooks offer promotions, including welcome offers for new users and regular bonuses that anyone can claim. You can find the best AZ betting promos right here, with full details on how to use them. Before you try to claim and use a bonus, make sure you read through all of the terms and conditions carefully.
Can I place bets using my mobile in Arizona?
All AZ sportsbooks are fully compatible with mobile devices, which means you can easily bet while on the go. No matter what kind of mobile device you have, you should be able to load up your favorite sportsbook and check out the available odds.
Sources
Author
Tom Edlin is a senior author and contributor to SportsbookPromo.com. He's been writing and reporting on the US sports betting industry for years and has crafted hundreds of in-depth reviews and guides.
