Gambling in Arizona

Arizona has a rich gambling heritage. From once being a part of Mexico and a home to 22 different Native American tribes, Arizona residents enjoy of wealth of gambling opportunities including casinos and dedicated poker rooms on Tribal lands, a state lottery, and social poker leagues.

Outside of the Native American Tribal Casinos, gambling opportunities are rather limited in Arizona in comparison with other states like NJ, and online options are practically non-existent in the Grand Canyon State until the introduction of both online and land-based retail sports wagering was finalized in September 2021.

Presented in the true Las Vegas style, Arizona casinos offer great entertainment and non-stop 24/7/365 gambling, based exclusively on Native American Tribal Casinos. Tribal gambling exploded in Arizona during the 1990s, and has resulted in Arizona now being home to more than two dozen casinos offering a range of casino games that rival their Las Vegas Casino counterparts.

Arizona has a total of 23 casinos in which you’ll find more than 18 200 slots and gaming machines. A total of 390 table games exist within those Arizona casinos. According to our research, the minimum bet we’ve unearthed at casinos in Arizona is $0.01 and the maximum bet is a generous $1000.

Under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988, Tribal Casinos began in Arizona that year by offering bingo, off track betting and lottery type games. Slots were introduced in the early 1990’s only to be shut down shortly thereafter. A protracted legal battle ensued until the Tribal Casinos prevailed and full casino services have been permitted in Arizona since 1994.

Arizona’s many visitors and tourists, and residents of Arizona do not have access to play at fully legal online casinos as online players from Delaware, New Jersey and neighboring Nevada do.

Online casino laws in Arizona do not exist and there are no discussions currently occurring in the State’s Legislature on the topic. As in many states, online casino laws are not explicitly mentioned in Arizona’s gambling laws. The clear understanding and central assumption is that online gambling is illegal under Arizona law, and that the style of New Jersey online gambling sites are not permitted.

In Arizona, obey all guidelines that online casinos are illegal (until further notice). It is best to avoid using online casinos (US-based or Offshore) within Arizona state limits until online gambling has the green light from Arizona State Legislators.

Players looking for legal online betting options in Arizona should note that re-legalized Horse Racing Betting sites are all open to accept online players from within the state as are online sportsbooks.

Social poker games are permitted in Arizona and social poker has been interpreted to cover bar leagues without cash prizes or entry fees. ‘Home’ Poker games are covered by the social games’ exemption from Arizona gambling laws.

In Arizona, you will find more than 170 live poker tables, covering access to 7 Card Stud, No Limit Texas Hold’em, Limit Hold’em, High Five Poker, Texas Hold’em, Omaha Hi-Lo, Crazy Pineapple, Omaha No-limit Hold’em and Four Card Poker.

Poker Rooms

There are dedicated poker rooms in the Arizona State area at Tribal casinos that are offering poker. Player vs Player poker options are available and there are many dedicated card rooms on Tribal territory at which to play for real money in the Grand Canyon State.

Online Poker Laws

Online poker is unavailable in Arizona at this time. See section above on ‘Online Casinos in Arizona’.

1912 – Arizona achieves statehood and most gambling is banned immediately. The exception was social and home gambling, which is still legal until this day.

1935 – Horse Racing Betting legalized in Arizona.

1980 – Arizona State Lottery begins and access to inter-state lotteries opened up in 2010.

1988 – The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act passed U.S. Congress and had immediate and lasting impact in Arizona. Tribal Casinos began to offer casino gaming (including table games) in the Native American territories of Arizona.

1990 – Slots added to many Tribal Casinos.

1994 – Total number of tribes with casinos climbs to 16.

2003 – Following a review of Tribal Casinos, 21 Tribes approved to operate casinos.

2015 – Following a period of prohibition, online Horse Racing Betting re-legalized in Arizona.

April 2021 – State Governor Doug Ducey signed into Arizona State Law HB 2772 legalizing online and bricks-and-mortar sports betting in the state which officially began in September.

Visit our Arizona Online Sports Betting page for More information on the states Sports Betting Laws