Legal Arizona Poker Laws
Welcome to the Arizona poker Laws page, your comprehensive guide to understanding the regulations and legal framework surrounding online poker in Arizona. Whether you’re a seasoned poker enthusiast or someone new to the game, this resource will provide you with valuable insights into the laws, licensing, and player protections that govern poker activities within the state.
In Arizona, poker has long been a popular pastime enjoyed by players of all skill levels, and the state has taken significant steps to ensure the integrity of the game while safeguarding players and operators alike. Our goal here is to present you with a clear and concise overview of the relevant statutes and regulations that apply to poker, both in brick-and-mortar establishments and in the realm of online poker.
In this guide to AZ poker and gambling laws, we’ll talk about legal issues, online poker sites in Arizona and provide some analysis of the future for all types of betting in the Grand Canyon State and whether or not you can play online poker for real money in AZ.
In Arizona, you can play poker online, and it’s legal to play online poker for real money, as there are no specific laws prohibiting it in the state.
Top Sites for Online Poker in Arizona
Is Gambling Legal in Arizona?
| Type/Code | Summary |
|---|---|
| State Code Section(s) | 13.3301-3312; 5.101-131; 5.401-604 |
| Definition of Gambling | Gambling: One act of risking or giving something of value for the opportunity to obtain a benefit from a game or contest of chance or skill or a future contingent event but does not include bona fide business transactions. |
| Definition of Exception to Gambling Laws | Exception to gambling laws: Skill and not chance is clearly the predominant factor in the game and the odds of winning the game based upon chance cannot be altered, provided the game complies with any licensing or regulatory requirements by the jurisdiction in which it is operated, no benefit for a single win is given to the player or players other than a merchandise prize which has a wholesale fair market value of less than ten dollars or coupons which are redeemable only at the place of play and only for a merchandise prize which has a fair market value of less than ten dollars and, regardless of the number of wins, no aggregate of coupons may be redeemed for a merchandise prize with a wholesale fair market value of greater than five hundred fifty dollars. |
| Online Poker/Gambling | Arizona lawmakers have not considered online poker or gambling legislation, primarily due to the opposition of such internet games by the majority of tribes. |
| Live Poker | Live poker is permitted in Indian-run casinos, via cash games and tournaments. |
| Casinos | Full-fledged casinos are permitted on Indian reservations with slot machines and table games, including poker. |
| Sports Betting | Arizona legalized sports betting in 2021. Sportsbook app operators must partner with federally-recognized tribes, with up to 10 tribes entered into appropriate gaming compacts to do so. |
| DFS | The 2021 sports betting law also legalized daily fantasy sports contests for Arizonans. |
| Other Forms of Gambling | Lottery, bingo, amusement gambling, charitable casino nights, raffles, horse and harness racing, dog racing only if not on the same day as horse racing activities. |
Arizona and Online Poker
Poker players in Arizona played cards in back rooms and home games long before casinos offered poker rooms. They also played online as soon as the first sites emerged in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The game is nothing new for Arizonans, but the way they play has changed through the years. The laws regarding gambling have not kept up with the passion of players for the game.
AZ gambling law is almost exclusively focused on individuals or organizations that operate or promote illegal gambling. As a result, players face comparatively little risk when engaging in illegal gambling simply as a participant. With that said, Arizona law – like most gambling law – is quite vague and obviously subject to interpretation.
Let’s highlight a few parts of Arizona code that could be relevant to online poker players:
What constitutes gambling in Arizona? From the state code: “Gambling” or “gamble” means one act of risking or giving something of value for the opportunity to obtain a benefit from a game or contest of chance or skill or a future contingent event” (Section 13-3301)
Players could have some exposure to the charge of
“benefiting from gambling” (class 1 misdemeanor): “Except for amusement or regulated gambling, a person commits benefiting from gambling if he knowingly obtains any benefit from gambling” (Section 13-3304).
There’s also the distant potential that some activity related to playing online poker could be considered “promotion of gambling,” a felony charge. Section 13-3303 covers one who
“Furnishes advice or assistance for the conduct, organization, management, direction, supervision or financing of gambling”.
Arizona does not have a law that specifically outlaws playing poker online, but poker would seem to clearly fall under the definition of “gambling” enshrined in Arizona law.
With legal issues, it is imperative that you educate yourself. If you have any doubts or questions, or if you are planning on drawing substantial revenue from online gambling, your next step should be to contact a legal professional with a background in gambling or internet gaming. We are only trying to provide you with a starting point for your larger research regarding online gambling in Arizona.
Is It Legal To Play Online Poker in Arizona?
Online poker players who reside in Arizona shouldn’t encounter too many restrictions when it comes to choosing an online poker room. All of the major US-facing online poker rooms accept players from AZ. Getting to play poker online is simply a matter of choosing which room you think will best meet your needs. The story is different in other states – like Washington – but when it comes to Arizona and online poker, players should find relatively few bumps in the road.
Will Arizona Try to Regulate Online Poker?
Native American tribes fought hard for their rights to own and operate gambling establishments. That is a part of the reason that most of them remain wary of online gambling, even online poker. They will not approve of any changes to the law that might impinge upon their land-based gambling revenue.
Studies have shown that igaming revenue does not cannibalize land-based casino revenue. States that have legalized online poker and casino games have also proven that instead of hurting land-based income, igaming complements traditional casino gambling. Casino and online gaming operators collaborate using cross-promotions and proven marketing to boost overall revenue with igaming.
Even so, the technology can appear complicated and overwhelming. And tribes often dismiss any chances of hurting their gambling benefits with technology that is – in their eyes – unnecessary.
Lawmakers know this and have been hesitant to push for any type of igaming for Arizona. This has included online poker, in spite of its typical consideration as a skill game.
Arizonan poker players must use local live rooms or offshore online platforms.
Arizona Gambling Facts & Figures
Gambling was a part of Arizona history prior to statehood, but the casinos were shuttered in an effort to win entrance into the union. In the century that followed, Arizona swayed back and forth on the issue of gambling expansion, with some forms winning acceptance (such as charitable gambling and the lottery) and others meeting sustained resistance (such as commercial casinos). Tribal gambling exploded in Arizona during the 1990s, and ignited an extensive legal battle that spanned much of the next decade. The result is two dozen gaming facilities located throughout Arizona, all designated as Class III operations with “Las Vegas-style” gaming activities, such as slot machines, table games like blackjack, keno, and house-banked poker.
Regulated Gambling Choices in Arizona
The most notable regulated gambling option in Arizona is the plethora of casinos and gambling establishments throughout the state. There are 16 federally-recognized tribes that operate a total of 24 Class III gaming facilities. Those are regulated by the Arizona Department of Gaming and the Tribal Gaming Office of each tribe. There are then two Class II facilities with fewer gambling options, and the National Indian Gaming Commission oversees them.
The casino games allowed to operate are:
- Class II games: bingo and gaming devices (slot machines)
- Class III games: Las Vegas-style casino games, such as gaming devices (slot machines), keno, table games like blackjack, jackpot poker (video poker), and house-banked poker.
Gamblers will find horse racing at tracks that operate throughout the year, not just during traditional racing seasons. The most popular track is Turf Paradise in Phoenix, but there are also popular races running at Arizona Downs in Prescott Valley, and Rillito Park Race Track in Tucson. There are also live races at county fairs in Douglas and Sonoita once per year.
But gamblers don’t need to go to the tracks to bet on racing. There are OTBs (off-track betting locations) across Arizona, located in licensed bars and restaurants. As of early 2023, there were 60 OTB locations in operation.
Sports Betting
State lawmakers had been trying to legalize sports betting for several years before approvals came in 2021. Then-Governor Doug Ducey worked with tribal leaders to renegotiate gambling compacts to support sports betting. Ducey then signed legislation in April 2021 to allow for up to 20 sports betting licenses to be issued in Arizona, all of which would be overseen by the Arizona Department of Gaming. Most of the tribes could work with sports betting operators to launch retail betting, and racetracks could partner with sports teams for their own retail sportsbooks.
The first sportsbooks launched in September 2021. That year ended with operators showing more than $161M in revenue. Just into 2023, the Arizona sports betting industry showed more than $691M in revenue to date, generated from more than $8.3B in handle. That has meant more than $37.7M already paid to the state in taxes.
Bettors in Arizona can also legally participate in daily fantasy sports (DFS) contests as a result of the 2021 law.
Arizona Gambling Resources
Gaming Summary
Prepared by the UNLV Center for Gaming Research, this brief provides an excellent overview of the commercial gambling industry in the state of Arizona. Those interested in the facts and figures (and the economics) of gambling in Arizona will find a solid starting poker here.
Gambling Rules at ASU
Students at Arizona State University should review this document, which covers both state law and university policy regarding gambling. Remember, state law is only one part of the picture – your school, workplace and other environments may have additional rules and regulations regarding gambling.
Gila River Casinos
The Gila River Indian Community operates some of the largest casinos in the state of Arizona, and is an excellent starting point for gamblers looking to plan a trip to the state. You can get more information about the tribe and the casinos they operate from this central resource.
Arizona and Poker
Arizona has always been a prime location for poker games, whether in saloons, the back rooms of bars, or in tribal casino poker rooms. It doesn’t hurt that the state is located in close proximity to poker hotbeds like Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Online poker has played a role in the rise of poker players from Arizona as well.
This is one of the few states that has produced multiple millionaires from the world of poker – and that is only considering live poker tournament earnings.
Jake Balsiger is the top tournament earner in Arizona to date, primarily one massive score. In 2012, he made the WSOP Main Event final table and finished third for nearly $3.8M, which immediately catapulted him to the top of the charts. A year and a half later, he finished third in the Aussie Millions Main Event for $568K, followed by a third the next year in the Arizona State Poker Championship Main Event. Put together, he has cashed for more than $5M as of June 2023.
Per the Hendon Mob, the full top 10 list as of June 2023 is:
- Jacob Balsiger $5,044,842
- Nick Pupillo $4,648,271
- Mike Wattel $3,399,385
- Ryan Hughes $3,081,972
- Ryan Leng $2,980,073
- Jim Bechtel $2,875,812
- John Dibella $2,835,626
- Kevin O’Donnell $2,558,606
- Joshua Remitio $2,437,375
- Tom Schneider $2,436,235
All Poker and Gambling Laws by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Arizona in the News
Gila River Gaming Enterprises Might Buy Naming Rights to University of Phoenix Stadium
A casino company might soon hold naming rights to an NFL stadium. Gila River Gaming Enterprises, which owns four casinos
Las Vegas Sports Gambler Charged with Insider Trading Is Associates with Golfer Phil Mickelson
Phil Mickelson, the 5-time major winner on the PGA Tour, agreed to pay back nearly $1 million in profits from
Suspect in Christmas Eve Arizona Casino Shooting Arrested in Phoenix
A man alleged to have shot and killed a retired California police officer in the parking lot of an Arizona
Helpful Gambling Resources and Links
- Arizona Revised Statutes
- UNLV Center for Gaming Research: Arizona Gaming Summary
- Arizona Department of Gaming
- Arizona Government: Division of Problem Gambling
- Arizona Council on Problem Gambling Inc.
- National Council on Problem Gambling (Arizona)
- Official State Website
- Laws/Code of Arizona
- Arizona Legal Guide
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