Arizona Sends Cease-And-Desist Order To Bovada in Sports Betting Case
Christopher Boan - Dec 6, 2024
Arizona sports betting is legal and live with 13 sportsbooks to choose from. Check out all the best AZ betting sites available below today.
Below are some of the best Arizona sports betting sites reviewed by our experts.
On April 12th, 2021, the state Senate passed the betting bill HB 2772, and both retail and online sports betting became legal in Arizona.
📅 Is Arizona Sports Betting Legal? | Yes, launched in September 2021 |
⭐️ Total Legal Sportsbooks in AZ: | 13 (as of December 20, 2024) |
🔞 Sports Gambling Age: | 21 years old |
🎰 Are Online Casinos Legal? | No, online casino gambling isn't legal in Arizona |
﹪ AZ Sports Betting Tax Rate: | 10% in 2024 |
🟢 Latest Arizona Betting News: | AZ Sends Bovada Cease and Desist |
🏛️ Gambling Regulator in Arizona: | Arizona Department of Gaming |
📞 Gambling Help Line: | 1-800-NEXT-STEP |
After Gov. Doug Ducey signed the bill legalizing sports betting in Arizona, sports gambling needed only to have appropriate regulations set up. The Arizona Department of Gaming is in charge of sports betting legislation.
The Arizona Department of Gaming:
Here is a timeline of the path to legal sports gambling in Arizona.
We know all of the sports betting news in Arizona and the latest betting trends. From covering your favorite Arizona team to legislation updates to sports betting tax revenue, we bring you all the news you need to know about Arizona sports betting.
We reviewed the current 13 Arizona sportsbooks and picked the best based on various features. Below we noted something we believe is a strength for each, ranging from the best sportsbook for new bettors to which operator has the best promo in the market.
⭐ Bally Bet Arizona | Competitive Odds |
⭐ bet365 Arizona | Best for Live Betting |
⭐ BetMGM Sportsbook Arizona | Top Overall Sportsbook |
⭐ BetRivers Arizona | Best Ongoing Promotions |
⭐ Caesars Sportsbook Arizona | Best for Loyalty Perks |
⭐ Desert Diamond Arizona | Good User Experience |
⭐ DraftKings Sportsbook Arizona | Best for Betting Variety |
⭐ ESPN BET Arizona | Best for Recurring User Bonuses |
⭐ Fanatics Sportsbook Arizona | Best for Shoppers |
⭐ FanDuel Sportsbook Arizona | Top Mobile App |
⭐ Golden Nugget Arizona | Best for Brick-and-Mortar Casino Users |
⭐ Hard Rock Bet Arizona | Most Unique Promo |
⭐ Sporttrade Arizona | Best Betting Exchange |
✅ App Rankings Last Verified | December 20, 2024 |
You can use this list to help prioritize which sportsbook you want to download, depending on your priorities, AZ sportsbook promos available for each operator, and more. You can find full reviews on each betting site by clicking on the names of the operators in this table.
You can feel confident when signing up for any of these sportsbooks, as each had to be approved by the Arizona Department of Gaming. Even after launching, all Arizona sports betting sites are continually monitored by the ADG.
And with the exception of Desert Diamond Sportsbook, all of the sportsbooks in Arizona are also available in other states. Each sportsbook had to go through a process similar to that of the ADG's, adding another layer of trust and security.
What makes each of them worth your while? We will break down each brand and highlight why you should open an account.
Because there are so many Arizona betting apps available to sports bettors, it's important to know what sets each apart. We'll break down the top Arizona betting sites that you can start using right now along with their latest betting promo that has been verified by our team of industry analysts.
BetMGM AZ, the Arizona Cardinals official betting partner, has been a leading name in legal gambling since the 1970s. With the BetMGM sportsbook, you can expect one of the best overall mobile experiences thanks to its ease of use, strong promo, and variety of betting options.
Heading to Glendale to catch a Cardinals game in person? You can place bets on-site at the world-class BetMGM retail sportsbook at State Farm Stadium which opened its doors during the 2022 NFL season.
⭐️ Top Feature: | Live Betting |
📲 Mobile App: | Both Android & Apple |
📌 Retail Location: | State Farm Stadium |
As the official Arizona Diamondbacks betting partner, Caesars Sportsbook AZ leads the way if you're looking for a strong loyalty program. The reward program is hardly the only reason to download the Caesars app, however. A sleek, user-friendly interface combined with daily odds boost markets that are unparalleled are just a few additional reasons why Caesars Arizona has become one of the most used sportsbooks in the state.
⭐️ Top Feature: | Reward Program |
📲 Mobile App: | Both Android & Apple |
📌 Retail Location: | Chase Field |
Fanatics Sportsbook recently launched in Arizona, meaning bettors can get it on the FanCash rewards program action. Fanatics users can earn FanCash through sports betting and use points for discounts on eligible merchandise.
⭐️ Top Feature: | FanCash Rewards |
📲 Mobile App: | Both Android & Apple |
📌 Retail Location: | N/A |
One of the newer sportsbooks in the state is bet365 AZ. One of the most recognizable brands in the gambling space, bet365 enters what's already a busy sports betting market in Arizona becoming what'll be one of the go-to options in the state.
⭐️ Top Feature: | Live Betting |
📲 Mobile App: | Both Android & Apple |
📌 Retail Location: | N/A |
Desert Diamond Sports is one of the most prominent names in Arizona when it comes to gambling and sports betting. With a great mobile app and multiple retail locations located throughout Phoenix surrounding areas, Desert Diamond is here to stay.
⭐️ Top Feature: | Arizona Focused Markets |
📲 Mobile App: | Both Android & Apple |
📌 Retail Location: | Multiple |
DraftKings AZ is without a doubt one of the premier sites in the Arizona sports betting market. It has partnered with the PGA TOUR to bring you an outstanding betting experience across all sports.
DraftKings particularly excels when it comes to prop markets and live betting options where you'll find a nearly unmatched number of markets and betting options.
⭐️ Top Feature: | DFS |
📲 Mobile App: | Both Android & Apple |
📌 Retail Location: | DraftKings Sportsbook at TPC Scottsdale |
FanDuel AZ, takes the crown for us as the best overall app in AZ. The platform is beautifully designed and navigating it is a walk in the park, making it a fantastic choice for bettors of all experience levels. Although the betting options at FanDuel rival that of any competitor, you never feel overwhelmed when browsing the app.
⭐️ Top Feature: | Mobile App Experience |
📲 Mobile App: | Both Android & Apple |
📌 Retail Sportsbook: | Footprint Center |
The newest sportsbook goes to Hard Rock Bet AZ. Launched in the fall of 2023, the brand many have come to love gives you a friendly mystery wheel bet when you're a new user and your first bet loses. Since it's new you'll want to read more on the new brand in the state with our latest review.
⭐️ Top Feature: | Flex Parlays |
📲 Mobile App: | Both Android & Apple |
📌 Retail Sportsbook: | Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort |
One of the most unique online sports betting sites is Sporttrade Arizona, where you buy and sell sports betting contracts, similar to trading stocks. This betting exchange is the newest sportsbook in Arizona.
⭐️ Top Feature: | Betting Exchange |
📲 Mobile App: | Both Android & Apple |
📌 Retail Location: | N/A |
BetRivers AZ is on par with the big names no matter how you slice it. Despite not being instantly recognized, this operator makes a great case for being your go-to betting app.
Where BetRivers really shines is with ongoing promotions. You will find something daily between odds boosts and betting bonuses which are available for multiple sports.
⭐️ Top Feature: | Odds Boosts |
📲 Mobile App: | Both Android & Apple |
📌 Retail Sportsbook: | N/A |
The ESPN BET Arizona sportsbook launched in 2023 and has been a great success thus far. Taking over the Barstool Sportsbook license, ESPN BET is sure to continue being one of the most popular sportsbooks on the Arizona sports betting market.
⭐️ Top Feature: | Parlay+ |
📲 Mobile App: | Both Android & Apple |
📌 Retail Location: | N/A |
The newest and latest online sportsbooks to get licensed in Arizona include Sporttrade, bet365, ESPN BET and Hard Rock Bet. With several licenses still available, Arizona sports betting will continue to grow as the state looks to offer options like Betr and more.
⭐ Sporttrade Arizona | Launched August 12, 2024 |
⭐ bet365 Arizona | Launched February 5, 2024 |
⭐ ESPN BET Arizona | Launched November 14, 2023 |
⭐ Hard Rock Bet Arizona | Re-Launched September 2023 |
As a developing state market, legal sports betting operators are offering Arizona sports fans big-money promotions to encourage them to try out their sites. Start betting with the AZ betting sites that are best for you.
If you are interested in how to gamble on sites that are legal in Arizona such as the Desert Diamond AZ Sportsbook, we want to help you get started. We showcase the best Arizona online sports betting sites and provide you with a sportsbook review for each. When you are ready to register for your first Arizona Sportsbook account, all you need to do is follow these simple steps:
These steps are generic; each operator follows them, but possibly with specific adjustments. For more information – and tips on sports betting – visit how to bet on sports in Arizona.
With so many operators trying to get a slice of the Arizona online sports betting industry, virtually all sportsbooks in Arizona offer promotions and bonus offers to attract your business.
If you're new to gambling at sportsbooks, be sure to pay attention to what is being offered and take advantage of the best Arizona sports betting promo codes. Below are some of the main types of promotions and offers available with all the new sports gambling sites in Arizona.
While there are no sports restrictions included in Arizona's sports betting bill, AZ sports fans cannot place prop bets on college events. Other than that, the only limitation comes down to what each AZ sportsbook offers. This is another example of why we recommend signing up for multiple sportsbooks, especially if you want to place bets on sports that are less popular.
Here's a list of sports and teams you will find across all Arizona betting sites:
NFL betting in Arizona is as popular as it is in the rest of the United States, and it is no different when it comes to sports betting. This can be a great league for Arizona sports bettors, especially given the Arizona Cardinals' partnership with BetMGM.
The NBA is a fantastic league for legal sports betting, especially since the Phoenix Suns signed their deal with FanDuel Sportsbook, placing a retail sportsbook at Footprint Center.
With the Arizona Diamondbacks in town, betting on the MLB in Arizona is an exciting opportunity especially with the Caesars retail sportsbook at Chase Field.
All Arizona sportsbooks offer NHL bets. With its high-octane play, professional hockey can be a great sport to bet, and bettors often might find softer odds on the NHL than other professional leagues because it's not quite as popular.
Betting on NCAA football, basketball and other sports is legal in Arizona, and most AZ betting operators will offer sports bets on Arizona college sports teams.
With two races including the NASCAR Championship race held at Phoenix Raceway every year, Arizona sports bettors have great opportunities to check out the top motorsport in the country.
Thanks to a bustling sports scene, Arizona has quickly become one of the top betting states across the US. These are the most popular teams to bet on in Arizona:
The Arizona Cardinals have been a fixture of professional sports in Arizona since they moved to the state in 1988, and they've been playing in Glendale since 2006. As of last year, thanks to a licensing partnership, State Farm Stadium stadium is home to a BetMGM retail sportsbook.
The Phoenix Suns have a licensing partnership with FanDuel AZ, which operates an online betting site and a retail sportsbook inside Footprint Center. Here, you can bet on the Suns Championship Odds at their own home!
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a fan favorite in Arizona. Sports betting aficionados and baseball fans alike should look forward to lots of exciting MLB betting opportunities in Arizona.
The Phoenix Mercury are a standout WNBA franchise with a rich history and bright future. The Mercury will also have plenty to offer the world of AZ sports betting, particularly thanks to their recent licensing partnership with Bally Bet.
An Indoor Football League force, an organization with a three-decade-long track record of success, the Arizona Rattlers are a source of sports pride in the state.
The premier Arizona college teams – the Arizona Wildcats and Arizona State Sun Devils – are going to be major players in the world of online sports betting in Arizona. Because legalized sports betting in AZ included college sporting events, all the best Arizona sportsbooks should offer plenty of sports bets and promo offers on Wildcats and Sun Devils games.
According to the Arizona Department of Gaming, to legally offer sports betting online in Arizona, online sportsbooks have to partner with someone with a license. When partnering with one of the professional sports teams, sportsbooks typically can offer both retail sports betting locations where the team plays, as well as online betting sites and apps in Arizona.
Here are the sportsbooks that have partnered with a professional sports team in Arizona:
⭐️ BetMGM AZ | 🏈 Arizona Cardinals |
⭐️ Caesars Sportsbook AZ | ⚾️ Arizona Diamondbacks |
⭐️ FanDuel AZ | 🏀 Phoenix Suns |
⭐️ BetRivers AZ | 🏈 Arizona Rattlers |
⭐️ Bally Bet AZ | 🏀 Phoenix Mercury |
You're not confined to individual or traditional sporting events if you are in the Grand Canyon State, as there also are two other long-standing wagering options in play, two more that seem ripe for wagering and one video game dynamo that are legal in Arizona.
Good news for Daily Fantasy Sports fans. Under Arizona sports betting laws, Daily Fantasy Sports is also legal and live in Arizona. FanDuel Sportsbook AZ was one of the first to be licensed in the state, and it also has been granted the right to legally offer Daily Fantasy Sports to Arizona residents. DraftKings – another major Daily Fantasy Sports player – has also been approved to offer legal sports betting and its extremely popular Daily Fantasy Sports platform.
Betting on horse racing is legal in Arizona, and it's now regulated by the Division of Racing under the Arizona Department of Gaming. You're allowed to bet in-person at racetracks and at certain off-track betting locations, but advance-deposit (a.k.a online) betting is strictly regulated. One sportsbook, TVG, offers betting on horse racing, and its service is limited to desktop computers, so no apps.
While the infrastructure isn't quite in place for AZ bettors to bet on elections, politicos should keep an eye out, because Arizona sports betting sites could offer bets on elections in the future. If this goes through, Arizona bettors with an interest in politics will be able to place wagers on the outcomes of state and federal elections, just as they would a sporting event.
Like betting on electoral outcomes, the time hasn't come just yet for AZ sports betting sites to offer wagers on pop culture ceremonies. Because there are a lot of moving parts in the industry, you never know. The day could come that Arizona betting laws change to accommodate this kind of wagering.
It's easier to decide that you want to wager than it is to decide the exact bet you want to place. Here are some of the most popular ways to get into the action:
In Arizona, as in just about any jurisdiction that has chosen to legalize sports betting, there are a couple of prohibited bets. For instance, Arizona bettors are not allowed to place prop bets on college athletics because the players are not professionals and there are concerns that the possibility of betting on their individual performances could risk influencing their actions in-game. Moreover, betting on high school athletics is fully prohibited.
There are a lot of things to keep in mind when choosing the best Arizona online sportsbook. No two AZ sports betting operators are going to be exactly alike. The user interfaces will be different, the types of bets they offer might vary and the promos and odds could also be unique.
Because of the variance between sportsbooks in Arizona, it's a good idea for those interested in Arizona sports betting to keep a combination of factors in mind when choosing an online sports betting account. Here are some of the major points we think you should take into account when getting started sports betting in AZ.
Choosing a sportsbook can be tricky. With so many options out there, and with all of them competing for your business, determining which one is actually the best can seem impossible. A lot of the time you might be better signing up with multiple sportsbooks, not just one. Sports betting is a new market, so multiple Arizona online betting sites are rushing in and offering promos and bonuses to try to stake their claim and build a customer base in the state.
With so many promos and incentives being given, there's no reason you shouldn't take multiple offers and make accounts with different sportsbooks. Here are a few reasons it might be a good idea to sign up for multiple online betting sites AZ.
In Arizona, when you're betting with a regulated operator that's affiliated with either a professional sports franchise or one of the state's licensed tribal casinos, you should have easy access to secure, reliable payment methods for depositing and withdrawing. You should be able to pay online with your credit cards, use online banking (bank rules permitting) and even an online wallet.
You also should be able to deposit in-person at any retail sports betting outfit, meaning you should have plenty of options. Given the extensive regulatory framework in place, you should also be able to bet safely and securely, with no doubts about where your money is going. So when it comes time to withdraw after a win, you should have no problems getting your money out of your sportsbook and into your pocket.
When comparing Arizona to other states, Arizona sports betting has been set up quickly and impressively, and the market is in an advanced stage of development. Arizona Bettors have great access to almost all major sportsbooks (and some local ones) and signing up is easy whether in person or online.
AZ sportsbooks tend to offer a mobile app available both for iOS and Android. The market is a little more tightly regulated than in some other states, because of Arizona's strict licensing program (only 20 licenses granted in total) so not every sportsbook will be able to enter the market, but Arizona bettors still should have a broad choice of legal operators and a compelling set of promotional offers headed their way.
Because almost all Arizona sports betting operators offer in-person and online options, it can be useful to think through the difference between retail sports betting and AZ online sports betting. Retail sports betting is taxed at a lower rate (8% in AZ) and can be a fun way to spice up the experience of going to a sporting event, but if you're not already planning on being there, it might be inconvenient to travel to a brick and mortar sportsbook.
Online betting tends to be more convenient and easier, because you can do it more or less instantly and on-demand. On the other hand, Arizona online betting is taxed at a higher rate (10%) than retail sports betting. In general, online and in-app betting will be the average bettor's go-to method, whereas retail betting will offer a good option when it happens to be convenient.
The legalization of sports betting in Arizona stands to pump a lot of money into the state treasury. The state is able to levy a tax on around 40% of the gross earnings made in the state – so in the the first six months of legal sports betting in Arizona, the state made just under $8 million in taxes, and this number is expected to grow as legal gambling gets more popular.
Because Arizona gambling revenues are taxable, once translated into public funds, the government can fund anything from education to infrastructure projects for Arizona residents. This is a major incentive for states to legalize sports betting.
The tax rate on sports betting in Arizona varies depending on the kind of bet. Retail sports betting, such in-arena betting with one of the commercial sportsbooks, or other bets on horse racing, is taxed at 8% of the wager. On the other hand, Arizona sports betting law dictates that online and mobile wagers are taxed at 10%. To determine how much you owe while gambling, we provide an Arizona gambling tax calculator.
This rate is fairly standard and more or less matches up with states such as Ohio and Colorado. There are of course outliers. Some states like New York tax much more aggressively than Arizona, while Nevada, Iowa and others tax gambling at a slightly lower rate.
BetArizona.com is an independent sports betting comparison website with affiliate links. What that means is if you click on one of our links that directs to an operator and you make a deposit, we’ll receive commission payment at no extra cost to you. Our operator reviews and recommendations for Arizona sportsbooks and more are impartial as our editorial standards are commercially independent and follow a professional methodology.
Arizona sports betting includes NFL, college Sports, NBA, MLB, NHL, UFC, MMA, NASCAR, and golf, to name a few sports you can bet on. There are 13 online Arizona sportsbooks that offer a wide variety of betting markets for you to choose from including in game betting.
There are currently 13 legal online sportsbooks in Arizona. Arizona's sports betting legislation allows for up to 20 mobile sportsbook licenses so there could be a few more additions to the state's betting industry. The top online sportsbooks include Caesars, BetMGM, FanDuel, DraftKings, Fanatics, BetRivers, Desert Diamond Sportsbook, and more.
Yes, sports betting in Arizona has been legal and live since September 2021. There are currently 13 Arizona betting apps that have been vetted and approved by the Arizona Department of Gaming. If you want to place your bets in person, retail sportsbooks are also legal and there are several locations throughout the state.
Gambling is addictive, and it's important to be safe when playing. Always remember that nothing is ever guaranteed. Never bet more than you're willing to lose, and if you need to, use your sportsbook's responsible gambling features to set limits on how much you deposit, lose, or how much time you spend on your sportsbook.
If you or someone you know needs immediate help, visit problemgambling.az.gov, call (800) 639-8783 or text NEXT-STEP to 53342.
Author
Julian Miller is a student, BetArizona betting analyst and avid sports fan. He is committed to providing up-to-date information on all things sports betting in Arizona.
Cited by leading media organizations, such as: