Arizona

Arizona bettors saw sports betting become legal in 2021, and right now, 13 mobile operators are available in the state, along with numerious other retail betting options.

Arizona is home to plenty of pro sports teams and hosts one of the more exciting events on the PGA Tour. Through the state’s sports betting law, all of these teams and events can be bet on. Not only can in-state bettors wager on their favorite local pro organizations, but they also have the freedom to legally bet on in-state colleges. The only restriction with betting on college sports that AZ bettors have is they cannot wager on individual player props.

The Grand Canyon State allows residents and tourists to bet on horse racing and use daily fantasy sports apps. There are a few in-person races and countless off-track betting facilities throughout the state, or horse racing fans can use online racebooks.

Online sports betting in The Grand Canyon State

If asked to pick a saying that would best describe the process of legalizing sports betting in Arizona, the easy answer would be, “If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again.” Arizona’s first “try” at legalizing sports betting came in 2019 when Sen. Sonny Borrelli and Rep. Steve Pierce introduced their own respective sports betting bills during the state’s legislative session.

Neither of those bills made any real headway that year, which forced Borrelli and Pierce to try again during the 2020 legislative session. Success would not be found that year either, as both bills would eventually die. Governor Doug Ducey took matters into his own hands in 2021 by renegotiating gaming compacts with the local Native American tribes.

These new gaming compacts gave the topic the jumpstart it needed, leading to HB2772 being signed into law in April 2021. By signing this bill, Gov. Ducey welcomed online and retail sports betting to the Grand Canyon State. The law gives the Arizona Department of Gaming clearance to hand out 20 licenses, and each provider that receives a license can partner with two online operators.

Even with the revolving door occurring in AZ due to multiple shops ceasing operations, the big-name operators have a strong presence in the state. These operators include Bet365, Caesars, BetMGM, FanDuel, and BetRivers. Some lesser-known or up-and-coming apps include Hard Rock Sportsbook and Desert Diamond Sports.

As of August 2023, the Arizona Department of Gaming has granted all ten licenses for local gaming tribes. This means two licenses are still available for pro sports organizations. The Phoenix Rising FC has expressed interest in one of those licenses and was one of the few organizations to apply during the latest application window.

All legal AZ sports betting apps in 2025 (from newest to oldest):

Recently closed online sportsbooks

Sports betting & gambling legislation in AZ

According to HB2772, which legalized sports betting in Arizona both online and in retail forms, bettors must be at least 21 years old to place a legal wager. Sports betting in AZ isn’t limited to residents; however, anyone attempting to place a legal bet in the state must be within state lines. These rules are enforced by the Arizona Department of Gaming.

One of the nicest aspects of Arizona’s sports betting law is remote registration. While mobile operators need to partner with retail facilities to gain access to the state, bettors do not need to be physically located at those facilities to create an account or make a bet on the partner sportsbook app.

If you win with your sports bets or in any other form of gambling in Arizona, your winnings will be taxable. Arizona's income tax rate ranges from 2.59% to 4.50%, depending on your income level. The higher the income, the more taxes you pay for gambling winnings. Also, the federal tax applies if the winning amount exceeds $5,000.

Speaking of other forms of gambling, even though online casinos are still illegal in Arizona, the locals can find 24 tribal casinos scattered throughout the state’s lines.

Burro crossing races in Oatman: Wild donkey detour betting

In the small but mighty mining town of Oatman, Arizona, wild burros rule the roads, and they are no strangers to bringing traffic to a standstill. Tourists gather to watch these furry locals wander through Main Street like they own the place, often bringing daily life to a standstill. But what if, while waiting for things to move again, bettors could wager on this beloved spectacle?

That brings us to Burro Crossing Races, a novelty betting market where wagers could be placed on how long it takes a burro to clear the street or which burro gets to the other side faster in a head-to-head battle. With live-streaming being a possibility and high tourist foot traffic, this could be a unique, low-stakes market for Arizona’s sportsbooks to consider, as it could lead to a small influx in tax revenue from betting while also shining a light on this local calling card.

Tumbleweed Forecast Pools: Turning the Southwest's Weirdest Plant into a Community Wagering Phenomenon

Arizona could turn one of its most iconic nuisances, tumbleweeds, into a possibly profitable, localized prop betting market. Some people may only know what tumbleweeds are through cartoons, but each year, residents of AZ prepare for the moment when highways and neighborhoods are suddenly overrun by rolling weeds. By converting this annual annoyance into a “Tumbleweed Forecast Pool,” licensed sportsbooks could offer novelty bets on when and where the first major tumbleweed blockage will occur or which town will report the largest pileup.

With minimal risk and high engagement, such hyper-local markets could draw thousands of casual bettors, especially during slow sports seasons. A well-promoted regional marketing campaign could add a good amount of seasonal handle alongside increased tourism and media buzz. Beyond that, a portion of the profits could be directed to cleanup programs, merging quirky humor, civic pride, and economic benefit.

Most recent updates from the AZ sports betting scene

• April 14, 2025: After opening the season at (+1300) to win NBA Coach of the Year, the Phoenix Suns have fired Mike Budenholzer after the team failed to reach the playoffs.

• March 24, 2025: The Arizona Wildcats have advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. They are now (+750) to reach the Final Four.

• March 10, 2025: The Big 12 Conference Tournament is set, and the Arizona Wildcats are (+850) to win the title.

• February 24, 2025: Heading into NFL Combine week, the Arizona Cardinals are (+7000) to win the Super Bowl and (+3500) to win the NFC.

• February 10, 2025: Spring Training is about to get underway, and the Arizona Diamondbacks are (-125) to make the playoffs and (+650) to win the NL West.

• February 3, 2025: After winning their rivalry game over Arizona State, the Arizona Wildcats are (+500) to win the Big 12 Regular Season title and (+850) to reach the Final Four.

• January 30, 2025: The Arizona State Sun Devils will need to garner some momentum in a hurry, as DraftKings has them at (+475) to make the NCAA Tournament.

• January 22, 2025: The Suns have traded draft picks with the Utah Jazz as they look to make a trade potentially for Jimmy Butler. Phoenix is currently (-125) make the playoffs.

• January 6, 2025: The Phoenix Suns have lost four straight games and will be taking Bradley Beal out of the starting lineup. Phoenix is now (+5000) to win the NBA Finals and (+650) to win their division.

In-person sports betting sites and locations

Currently, there are 17 retail betting facilities spread across Arizona. These facilities include tribal casinos, pro sports arenas or stadiums, and racetracks. Of AZ's 20 sports betting licenses, ten are for pro teams or organizations, and the other ten are for Native American tribes.

Some tribes that did not receive licenses despite having a gaming compact from the state have pursued legal action against AZ. This means if a ruling goes in their favor or lawmakers adjust the current sports betting bill, more retail sports betting facilities could arise in AZ over time.

• Wild Horse Pass Casino (BetMGM), 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd, Chandler

• Lone Butte Casino (BetMGM), 1077 S Kyrene Rd, Chandler

• Vee Quiva (BetMGM), 15091 S Komatke Ln, Laveen Village

• Santan Mountain (BetMGM), 7101 S Gilbert Rd, Chandler

• State Farm Stadium (BetMGM), 9591 W Sportsman Pk N, Glendale

• Arizona Downs Racetrack (Caesars), 10501 E, AZ-89A, Prescott Valley

• Chase Field (Caesars), 401 E Jefferson St, Phoenix

• Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino (Caesars), 15406 N Maricopa Rd, Maricopa

• Paradise Casino (Unibet), 450 Quechan Dr, Yuma

• Turf Paradise (Unibet), 1501 W Bell Rd, Phoenix

• Desert Diamond Casino - Tucson, 7350 S Nogales Hwy, Tucson

• Desert Diamond Casino - Sahuarita, 1100 W Pima Mine Rd, Sahuarita

• Desert Diamond Casino - West Valley, 9431 W Northern Ave, Glendale

• We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort (Betfred), 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell

• TPC Scottsdale (DraftKings), 17020 North Hayden Road, Scottsdale

• Footprint Center (FanDuel), 201 E Jefferson St, Phoenix

• Casino Del Sol (SolSports), 5655 W Valencia Rd, Tucson

• Mazatzal Hotel & Casino (TwinSpires), Highway 87, Mile Marker 251, Payson

• Twin Arrows (Hard Rock), 22181 Resort Boulevard, Flagstaff

Gambling with a view: The fantasy of a Grand Canyon Casino Resort

The Grand Canyon is one of the most jaw-dropping natural wonders in the world, attracting millions of visitors annually. But what if it also became a luxury gambling destination? While Arizona has a thriving casino industry through tribal gaming, the idea of a high-end casino resort near the Grand Canyon sparks both excitement and controversy.

On one hand, a Grand Canyon casino resort could create a unique experience where visitors enjoy poker games with canyon views and slot machines surrounded by red rock landscapes. A development like this could bring in massive tourism revenue, add to the already impressive sports betting revenue the state sees, and provide jobs to local communities.

However, federal regulations and Native American land rights make this idea a legal and ethical nightmare. The Grand Canyon is protected under the National Park Service, meaning large-scale commercial development is unlikely, especially for something like a casino, since many Native American tribes consider the canyon sacred land.

A casino near the Grand Canyon remains a pipe dream for bettors, but the good news is that there are over 15 retail betting locations in the state, so while the views may not be the same, a couple of winning bets could lead to enough gas money for a trip to the canyon.

Prickly Pear Taste Test Wagers Could Sweeten Arizona’s Betting Scene

At Arizona’s numerous food and beverage festivals, one local ingredient consistently steals the spotlight: the vibrant, tart-sweet prickly pear. From cocktails and lemonades to candies and salsas, vendors showcase their best and most creative take on this desert staple. Prickly pear-flavored items are a quick way to an Arizona natives heart, but they could also be a quick way to add money to their wallets. 

Betting prickly pear flavor taste tests could add a local betting twist to tasting festivals across the state. Attendees would sample different prickly pear products and vote for their favorites, while bettors place bets on which vendor or product style, such as drink or desert, receives the most votes.

With a clear winner determined by either a vote tally or a panel of judges, this unique betting opportunity could engage locals, support small businesses, and create a new revenue stream for Arizona’s already impressive betting ecosystem.

Sports betting in neighboring states

Two of Arizona’s neighboring states share a similar gambling layout in that everything is legal. At the same time, the remaining three states that border AZ do not have legal mobile betting, and out of the three, only New Mexico has legal retail sports betting.

To read more about why Utah, New Mexico, and California don’t have legalized online sports betting, you can click on them in the box below.

Sports betting revenue impact on Arizona’s economy

Since launching sports betting in 2021, Arizona has generated over $1.7 billion in sports betting revenue, becoming the ninth state ever to surpass the billion-dollar mark in that statistic in late 2023. With a framework that includes more than 15 mobile betting apps and retail locations, it's no surprise that Arizona consistently reports high betting volume. Arizona's total sports betting handle is projected to reach the $2 billion mark by early 2025, while total tax revenue exceeded $100 million in late 2024.

Arizona's licensing structure is similar to that of many other states with legal sports betting. The state has 20 sports betting licenses, each of which allows the partnership with two online skins. The initial fee for each license is $750,000, and the yearly renewal fee is $150,000.

For taxes, Arizona has two separate tax rates for operators regarding online and retail wagers. All online wagers are subject to a 10% tax rate, while retail wagers are subject to an 8% tax rate. Both rates are slightly below average compared to other states with sports betting legislation.

In 2024, the Grand Canyon State averaged around $600 million in betting handle and $5.7 million in sportsbook revenue each month. In November 2024, the state set a new sports betting revenue record, as sportsbook operators generated a total revenue of $84.1 million, over $6.5 million more than the previous record ($77.4 million) set just month prior.

Arizona sports betting record months:

• Sports betting handle: November 2024 ($897,635,847)

• Revenue: November 2024 ($84,105,254)

• Tax income: November 2024 ($5,731,498)

Latest AZ sports betting revenue report breakdown (December 2024)

• Total betting handle: $849,316,636

  • Mobile betting handle: $844,262,701

  • Retail betting handle: $5,053,935

• Winnings paid to players: $798,227,311

  • Hold: 6.02%

• Gross revenue: $49,338,308

  • Deductions (free bets & promotional betting credits): $23,527,469

  • Adjusted revenue: $25,765,837

• Tax revenue for the state: $2,580,184

Reported by the Arizona Department of Gaming.

The most popular sportsbook apps in the state in December 2024:

1. Fanduel (Handle: $275.0m, Revenue: $20.7m)

2. DraftKings (Handle: $272.7m, Revenue: $16.3m)

3. BetMGM (Handle: $111.9m, Revenue: $3.8m)

4. Caesars Sportsbook (Handle: $47.1m, Revenue: $2.0m)

5. Fanatics Sportsbook (Handle: $43.2m, Revenue: $2.0m)

6. Bet365 (Handle: $40.1m, Revenue: $1.8m)

7. ESPN Bet (Handle: $22.9m, Revenue: $683,095)

8. Hard Rock Bet (Handle: $13.9m, Revenue: $799,204)

9. Betrivers (Handle: $6.6m, Revenue: $632,469)

10. Desert Diamond (Handle: $5.0m, Revenue: $77,985)

11. Bally Bet (Handle: $3.6m, Revenue: $479,585)

12. Sporttrade (Handle: $1.6m, Revenue: $0)

13. Golden Nugget (Handle: $486,674, Revenue: $0)

Arizona online sports betting market shares - Entire 2024 year

Recent revenue report data - Compared to the previous year (YoY)

AZ sports betting revenue in 2025

A full breakdown of Arizona's monthly 2025 sports betting handle, revenue, and state tax income received from the operators can be found in the table below. With it comes the percentage figures (in brackets) showing how these numbers have changed compared to the previous month.

2024 revenue data

Yearly revenue totals

How betting revenue from Arizona sportsbooks could fund drought and water conservation programs 

Arizona is at the epicenter of the American Southwest’s unfortunate ongoing drought crisis, with water conservation becoming one of the state’s most significant challenges. As legal sports betting continues to flourish, generating hundreds of millions in annual handle for the state, policymakers could explore using a portion of tax revenue obtained from sportsbooks to fund critical environmental initiatives.

By allocating just 5–10% of annual betting tax income, which has increased each since sports betting was legalized, Arizona could support programs focused on sustainable irrigation, water recycling, and infrastructure upgrades. Not only would this align the gambling industry with socially responsible goals, but it could also further increase public support for any future betting legislation.

Tying sportsbook profits to water conservation presents a win-win opportunity: fueling a growing and successful market while helping to protect Arizona’s future water supply.