When will sports betting be legal in Arizona?
Sports betting is not legal in Arizona, but a bill was in the works early 2020.
While a sports betting bill went through the House Rules Committee in March 2020, it had to move quickly through the House Floor before it could go further. Unfortunately, the Coronavirus pandemic put a damper on plans and will likely extend the process another year.
The 2020 bill is a revamped version of what was introduced in 2019 and immediately shot down. The new bill would allow sports wagering at retail locations, but not through mobile and online operators. While there's a chance it passes through in 2020, amendments still have to be made before passing it into law, which means late 2021 is the best bet for a launch date.
Horse racing betting is legal in Arizona, but it's also one of the few states where Daily Fantasy Sports are prohibited. Unlike most states, fantasy sports are considered gambling as opposed to games of skill, which is why they are illegal in Arizona.
The issue is that the wording on fantasy sports is included in a compact with the tribes, which is something legislators don't want to mess with. Until that changes, fantasy sports will remain illegal in the state and unfortunately, the latest sports betting bill doesn't include fantasy sports, something prior versions did.