So you live in Arizona and have the urge to place a bet or two online. Before you go searching the web for just any old gambling site, you need to know the legal options available to you as an Arizona resident. The good news is, there are ways to gamble online that won't get you into trouble. You just have to know where to look and what's allowed. Can you bet online in Arizona? In this article, I'll walk you through the legal gambling sites and options for Arizona bettors so you can enjoy the thrill of the game without worrying about legal consequences. Whether you're into poker, casino games, sports betting, or lottery, I've got you covered. By the time you're done reading, you'll be placing bets with confidence at regulated and licensed sites. Let's get started!
The Current State of Online Gambling Laws in Arizona
Online gambling is currently illegal in Arizona, but some options are available if you know where to look. Can you bet online in Arizona without breaking the law?
According to Arizona law, gambling online or over the phone is prohibited. This includes casino games, poker, sports betting, and lottery. However, the state hasn't taken action against offshore gambling sites or players. As long as you gamble on reputable sites licensed outside the U.S., you should be in the clear. Can you bet online in Arizona without legal repercussions? While online gambling is officially prohibited, the enforcement of these laws is primarily focused on operators rather than individual bettors. So, if you choose to bet online, it's important to do so on trusted offshore platforms to minimize any potential risks.
Some popular offshore sites that accept players from Arizona are:
- Bovada: One of the largest sportsbooks and casinos, offering sports betting, poker, casino games and horses.
- BetOnline: Highly rated sportsbook and casino that's been operating since 1991. They have poker, casino games and live dealers in addition to sports.
- Ignition Casino: Part of the PaiWangLuo Network, Ignition is a major poker site and casino. They frequently run promotions and tournaments for players.
To get started, you simply need to be at least 21, have a valid ID to verify your age, and deposit money using a credit card, Bitcoin or wire transfer. Many sites offer a nice welcome bonus when you make your first deposit.
While not explicitly allowed, online gambling appears to operate in a sort of gray area for Arizona residents. As long as you choose reputable sites and stay within legal limits, you should feel comfortable taking a chance on the action from the comfort of your home. But as with any gambling, bet responsibly!
Offshore Online Casinos Available to AZ Residents
If you're an Arizona resident looking to place some bets online, you're in luck. Although Arizona hasn’t legalized online gambling statewide, some offshore online casinos still accept players from AZ.
Major Sites Open to Arizonans
Some of the biggest online casinos open to AZ players are:
- Bovada - They offer sports betting, poker, casino games and racebook. Bovada has been in business since the 1990s and has a solid reputation.
- BetOnline - BetOnline provides online sports betting, casino games, and poker. They frequently run promotions and bonuses for new players.
- Wild Casino - Wild Casino focuses on casino games and slots. They have over 300 games to choose from, including many from reputable providers like Betsoft and Nucleus Gaming.
- SportsBetting.ag - As the name suggests, SportsBetting.ag specializes in sports betting. They offer wagering on all major US sports and many international sports. They also have an online casino and poker room.
The key is to only play at reputable sites that have been operating for many years, hold proper licensing, and are third-party audited. While online gambling isn’t officially regulated in AZ, there are still some reliable options if you do your research.
The main downside to offshore casinos is that your money isn’t as secure or guaranteed as with a licensed US site. However, many AZ players have used these sites for years without issue by following some common-sense rules. As long as you gamble responsibly, offshore casinos can provide safe and entertaining options.
Legal AZ Daily Fantasy Sports Sites
Daily fantasy sports (DFS) sites offer legal online sports betting in Arizona. On these platforms, you draft a virtual team of real professional athletes and compete against other users based on real-world stats and scoring. The top DFS sites available to AZ residents are:
DraftKings
DraftKings is one of the largest DFS sites. They offer contests for most major sports like NFL football, NBA basketball, NHL hockey and MLB baseball. To get started, create an account, deposit funds and join a contest. Pick your sport, contest type (guaranteed prize pools or head-to-heads) and entry fee. Then draft your team under the salary cap and follow along to see how your players perform. With good picks, you can win cash prizes.
FanDuel
FanDuel is DraftKings’ biggest competitor. They also provide DFS contests for all the most popular sports. FanDuel’s app and website are simple to use. Once you've signed up, browse upcoming contests, choose one that fits your interests and risk tolerance, draft your team and cheer them on. FanDuel offers beginner contests with lower entry fees so you can learn the ropes without breaking the bank.
Yahoo DFS
Yahoo DFS focuses on the major US sports like football, basketball, hockey and baseball. They have a nice range of contest options from free beginner games up to high-stakes. The Yahoo DFS platform is straightforward to use on both mobile and web. They frequently run promotions offering bonus cash back, contest tickets or other perks. Yahoo also has useful tools to help research players and optimize your lineups.
By using reputable and legal DFS sites, sports fans in Arizona can enjoy betting on their favorite teams and players without worry. Do your research, start with low-cost contests to learn, and soon you'll be competing to win cash from the sports you love.
Charitable Bingo and Raffles for Arizona Residents
Arizona residents have a few legal options for gambling that don’t require traveling out of state. Charitable bingo and raffles are permitted in Arizona and are a popular way for non-profit organizations to raise funds.
Charitable Bingo
Non-profit organizations like churches, schools, and charities can host bingo games in Arizona. These events allow players to win cash or other prizes by getting a straight line (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally) on their bingo card before other players. To participate, you must be at least 18 years old. Some venues may have additional age requirements.
Most bingo halls in Arizona offer electronic bingo cards or daubers (ink-filled markers used to mark numbers on paper bingo cards) for players to rent or buy. You can often find bingo games going on throughout the week at halls across the state. Some even offer special promotions, prizes or jackpots. Do some searching online for “bingo” along with your city name to find events and halls near you.
Charitable Raffles
Raffles are another popular fundraising option for non-profits in Arizona. Tickets are sold for a chance to win a prize, often something valuable like electronics, vacation packages, or vehicles. The winning tickets are drawn at random. Like bingo, you must be 18 or older to participate in most raffles.
Some raffles are small, held at local events, schools or places of worship. Others are quite large, with expensive prizes and tickets sold across the entire state. Larger raffles may allow you to buy tickets online or by mail in addition to in-person. Either way, the proceeds go to support the hosting charity or organization.
While bingo and raffles are really the only lawful ways for Arizona residents to gamble in-state, at least the money goes to good causes. And who knows, you might just get lucky and win a great prize! Keep your eyes and ears open for events near you and consider buying a few tickets to support groups in your local community.
Social Casino Gaming Options in Arizona
Arizona has strict laws against most forms of gambling, but social casino gaming is perfectly legal. Social casinos allow you to play popular casino games for free using virtual currency. You can't win real money, but you also can't lose any either. These social casinos are a great option if you just want to enjoy playing the games.
Slotomania
One of the most popular social casinos is Slotomania. They offer over 200 slots games, including many familiar titles like Cleopatra, Da Vinci Diamonds, and Wheel of Fortune. You get free coins to start and can earn more through regular gameplay or in-app purchases. Play on your phone, tablet or computer - your progress and virtual wallet sync across devices so you can pick up wherever you left off.
Big Fish Casino
Big Fish Casino features slots, poker, blackjack, and roulette. They frequently add new games to keep things interesting. You'll get plenty of free chips to get started and can earn more through a daily spin, accomplishing quests, and timed challenges. Big Fish Casino has an active community and social element. You can join a club, chat with other players, give gifts, and compete on leaderboards.
Zynga Poker
If poker is your game, check out Zynga Poker. They offer free Texas hold 'em poker games as well as Omaha. You can play at your own pace - fast fold, sit-n-go, or multi-table tournaments. Buy-ins and payouts are handled with virtual chips and coins. Zynga Poker works on phones, tablets and Facebook so you can enjoy some casual poker gaming whenever the mood strikes.
While you can't gamble for real money in Arizona yet, social casinos let you experience many popular games at no cost. Give one or more of these options a try if you're looking for entertainment without the risk of losing anything valuable. Who knows, by the time real online gambling comes to Arizona, you'll already be a pro!
Conclusion
You see, despite the strict gambling laws in Arizona there are still ways to get your fix if you know where to look. As long as you're of legal age, you have options to place bets on sports, play poker, slots, and more without breaking the law or risking trouble. The key is sticking with reputable offshore sites that accept players from Arizona. Do your research, find sites with solid security and a good reputation, create an account, make a deposit and you'll be placing bets in no time. While it may not be the same as strolling into your favorite Vegas casino, with so many convenient and entertaining options at your fingertips, you'll still be able to enjoy the thrill of the game from the comfort of your own home.
So you live in Arizona and have an itch to place a few bets, but don't want to drive all the way to Vegas or break the law. Don't worry, you've got options. Believe it or not, there are legal ways for you to gamble online right from the comfort of your own home in Arizona. While the state isn't exactly New Jersey when it comes to gambling laws, there are still opportunities if you know where to look. From online sportsbooks to poker sites, bingo halls to lottery retailers, you can get your thrill without getting in trouble. The key is sticking to regulated and licensed sites, and of course, only betting what you can afford to lose. Ready to roll the dice? Here are the legal ways you can gamble online in Arizona.