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Arizona legalized sports betting in April 2021 through House Bill 2772, launching retail and mobile betting on September 9, 2021. The state’s regulatory framework balances tribal sovereignty with commercial sports betting, creating a unique dual-licensing structure that splits 20 available event wagering licenses equally between Arizona’s federally recognized tribes and professional sports franchises.
The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) oversees event wagering, fantasy sports contests, horse racing, and boxing and mixed martial arts in the state. Unlike many states with gaming commissions, Arizona’s regulatory structure places enforcement authority directly under the Department of Gaming.
Currently, no Arizona Gaming Commission exists in Arizona; the ADG serves as the primary regulator and enforcement body for tribal gaming, event wagering, racing, and unarmed combat sports.
Arizona’s responsible gambling regulations reflect a preventive public health approach. The 2021 tribal-state gaming compact amendments and HB 2772 mandate self-exclusion programs, problem gambling helplines, advertising restrictions, and funding mechanisms for treatment services. The state requires operators to develop and maintain programs to mitigate problem gambling and curtail compulsive gambling, including mandatory responsible gaming messaging across all marketing channels.
What distinguishes Arizona’s regulatory framework is its integration with tribal gaming operations.
The state’s 22 federally recognized tribes operate 26 Class III gaming casinos, with 16 tribes currently operating facilities. An additional two Class II facilities operate under tribal and National Indian Gaming Commission oversight.
Tribal-state gaming compacts mandate tribal regulation of compact provisions while the state monitors compliance. This cooperative federalism model extends to sports betting, where tribal operators hold half of all event wagering licenses and maintain sovereign immunity while voluntarily adopting responsible gambling standards.
The state currently licenses online sportsbooks through partnerships with tribal operators and professional sports franchises, including the Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Suns, Arizona Cardinals, Phoenix Raceway, and TPC Scottsdale. The Arizona Coyotes, formerly a license partner, relocated to Utah in April 2024 and now operate as the Utah Mammoth.
Requirement Category | Key Obligations |
Regulatory Authority | Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) |
Self-Exclusion Programs | Two separate programs: Casino and Event Wagering & Fantasy Sports (EWFS). Enrollment via in-person, mail with notarization, or remote notary. Contact: 602-771-4263 |
Problem Gambling Helpline | 1-800-NEXT-STEP (1-800-639-8783). Text "NEXTSTEP" to 53342. 24/7, free, confidential |
Age Requirement | 21+ for all gambling activities |
Advertising Requirements | Must include responsible gambling messaging and helpline. Cannot target minors or promote irresponsible gambling. Prohibited in college/university media |
College Sports Restrictions | Wagering permitted on all college sports, including in-state teams. All college player prop bets are prohibited statewide, regardless of team or event. |
Operator Licenses | $100,000 application + $750,000 license fee. 20 licenses total (10 tribal, 10 sports franchise). $150,000 annual renewal |
Arizona operates two distinct Voluntary Self-Exclusion (VSE) programs: one for casino gaming and another for Event Wagering and Fantasy Sports (EWFS). These programs are separate, allowing individuals to self-exclude from either or both forms of gambling depending on their needs.
The casino self-exclusion program prohibits individuals from entering any Class III Tribal Gaming Facility in Arizona, including 26 tribal casinos across the state operated by 16 tribes. The restriction extends beyond gaming floors to include use of any services or privileges on casino property, such as restaurants, concerts, hotels, and conferences.
The EWFS self-exclusion program prohibits participants from placing wagers or purchasing fantasy sports contest entries at any licensed facility or on any internet/mobile platform in Arizona.
This includes all 15+ (as of January 2026) currently operational online sportsbooks and retail locations operated under Arizona’s 20 event wagering licenses. Unlike casino self-exclusion, EWFS exclusion is portable across all licensed operators and automatically applies to both retail and mobile platforms.
Enrollment requires completion of a self-exclusion form with notarization. Arizona offers multiple enrollment pathways: in-person submission at the Arizona Department of Gaming, mail submission with notarized signature, or remote notary via video conference.
The ADG added a remote notary option to reduce barriers for individuals unable to visit notaries in person. Remote notary requires a reliable internet connection, webcam, microphone, and government-issued photo identification (driver’s license, state ID, passport, or military ID).
When the properly executed self-exclusion form and photograph are received, the ADG typically processes the application the same day. Tribes have direct access to the database system for casino exclusions.
Participants are not notified when the exclusion is received or when it goes into effect. The exclusion list is confidential and shared only with licensed operators, approved vendors, and law enforcement when conducting official investigations.
During the exclusion period, self-excluded individuals are prohibited from collecting any winnings or recovering any losses resulting from gambling violations. All winnings obtained during the exclusion period are forfeited.
For casino VSE, tribal gaming facilities may donate forfeited winnings to charitable organizations or the state’s problem gambling fund. For EWFS VSE, if an individual has a pending wager when they enroll, the wager is canceled and funds returned. However, any winnings from wagers placed during the exclusion period are forfeited and donated to the Division of Problem Gambling.
Event wagering operators must check the most recent self-excluded persons list provided by the ADG before creating any player account. Operators receive updated lists weekly and must immediately revoke accounts and remove self-excluded persons from all mailing lists. The list must be treated as confidential and may only be shared with vendors approved by the ADG for compliance purposes, appropriate law enforcement agencies conducting official investigations, or as ordered by a court.
Tribal gaming facilities use facial recognition technology and security monitoring to identify self-excluded individuals who enter casino properties. If identified on the gaming floor, the person is escorted off the property and may face trespassing charges. Event wagering operators use identity verification at account creation and login to prevent self-excluded individuals from accessing platforms.
Only the person seeking voluntary self-exclusion may include their name on the self-exclusion list. Family members, friends, or concerned parties cannot enroll someone else without that person’s consent and participation in the application process. Names are removed only when the self-exclusion duration ends. There is no process to alter or rescind the self-exclusion early.
For questions regarding self-exclusion, individuals can call 602-771-4263 and ask to speak to someone about self-exclusions, or email vse@azgaming.gov.
Beyond state-administered self-exclusion, Arizona residents may explore third-party programs. The Everi STeP program allows individuals to exclude themselves from using ATMs at over 1,000 gambling locations nationwide.
Gamblock software prevents access to internet gambling sites on personal devices. These programs are not affiliated with the ADG or Division of Problem Gambling, and forms must be submitted directly to the program providers, not to state agencies.
The Arizona Department of Gaming’s Division of Problem Gambling (DPG) provides comprehensive supportive resources to individuals experiencing gambling problems and affected family members, friends, or coworkers. The DPG maintains a network of statewide treatment providers who specialize in problem gambling counseling and therapy.
The Arizona Problem Gambling Helpline (1-800-NEXT-STEP or 1-800-639-8783) operates 24/7 and provides free, confidential support in multiple languages. Callers can text “NEXTSTEP” to 53342 for immediate assistance.
The helpline connects individuals with available resources, including counseling services, financial advisors specializing in gambling-related debt, and support group referrals. All calls are confidential and anonymous callers are not required to provide identifying information.
Individuals can take an anonymous Problem Gambling Self-Screening Quiz on the DPG website to help determine whether they may have a gambling problem. The quiz uses research-based screening questions to assess gambling behavior and provides immediate feedback. Results indicate whether an individual should consider seeking professional help.
The DPG maintains a current list of treatment providers throughout Arizona at gaming.az.gov. Treatment options include individual counseling, group therapy, and family counseling tailored to gambling addiction. Many providers accept health insurance, and some offer services on a sliding scale based on income. The DPG also provides referrals to financial counseling for individuals dealing with gambling-related debt.
Tribal gaming facilities operating under tribal-state gaming compacts are required to establish procedures for advising people about the state’s self-exclusion list and must add self-excluded persons from the state list to their own tribal exclusion lists. Many tribal casinos integrate GameSense-style responsible gaming programs, offering on-site information centers and educational materials about gambling risks and available support services.
Event wagering operators, commercial sports license holders, and limited event wagering operators must develop and maintain programs to mitigate problem gambling and curtail compulsive gambling. These programs may be developed in conjunction with the ADG and must meet regulatory standards for effectiveness. Operators are required to establish procedures for advising persons who inquire about self-exclusion and must offer self-exclusion application forms provided by the department when requested.
Arizona regulations require prominent display of problem gambling resources in both physical locations and digital platforms. Tribal gaming operators must place signs at the entrance and exit of all gaming facilities stating that help is available for problem gamblers and providing, at minimum, the statewide toll-free crisis hotline telephone number established by the Arizona State Lottery Commission.
Event wagering facility operators must display responsible gaming messaging at retail locations, including the Arizona Problem Gambling Helpline number, text message option, and website information. These disclosures must be visible to patrons before they place wagers.
All mobile and online wagering platforms must display responsible gambling messaging prominently. When creating a player account, operators must provide the following responsible gambling message: “[Licensee’s name] encourages you to gamble responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, assistance is available by calling or texting 1-800-522-4700, chatting online via ncpgambling.org/help-treatment/chat/ or visiting the National Council on Problem Gambling Services.”
Licensees may modify this message to include the Arizona-specific helpline (1-800-NEXT-STEP) or other problem gambling hotline numbers and websites approved by the Commission. If the helpline number or website address changes, the Commission may administratively approve alternative contact information.
Mobile sports betting platforms must display the helpline number and website every time a user opens the app. This requirement ensures that responsible gambling resources remain visible to users each time they engage with the platform, reinforcing awareness of available support.
Arizona Administrative Code § 19-4-110 establishes comprehensive restrictions on advertising, marketing, and promotion of event wagering. All advertising must comply with truth-in-advertising principles and cannot be deceptive or misleading.
Advertising, marketing, and promoting of event wagering must not target or otherwise be of a kind that specifically appeals to persons under 21 years of age. This prohibition extends to placement on media channels primarily consumed by minors, use of language or imagery appealing to underage audiences, and endorsements by individuals under 21.
All advertisements for event wagering—including television, radio, internet, and printed media—must include responsible gambling messaging stating that help is available if a person has a problem with gambling. Advertisements must display the statewide toll-free helpline telephone number, text message option, and website information established by the ADG.
Advertising cannot promote irresponsible or excessive participation in event wagering. Operators may not suggest that social, financial, or personal success is guaranteed by wagering. Marketing materials cannot imply that gambling is a solution to financial problems or a reliable income source.
Event wagering may not be promoted or advertised in college or university-owned news assets. This restriction applies to student newspapers, university radio stations, athletic department publications, and official university websites. The prohibition protects college communities from gambling marketing and aligns with restrictions on wagering involving in-state collegiate teams.
Operators must include age restriction language (“21+,” “For 21+,” or equivalent) on standalone sports betting logos displayed at professional sports venues, including State Farm Stadium, Chase Field, and Mortgage Matchup Center (formerly Footprint Center).
The ADG has established a Responsible Gaming Framework advising strategies for responsible advertising delivery. While Arizona does not impose an outright advertising ban, regulatory expectations emphasize responsible marketing practices, including limiting ad frequency, avoiding saturation during youth-oriented programming, and ensuring marketing materials do not normalize excessive gambling.
Arizona’s responsible gambling framework balances tribal sovereignty, commercial sports betting interests, and public health protections through a cooperative regulatory structure. The state mandates comprehensive self-exclusion programs for both casino gaming and event wagering, requires prominent helpline disclosure across all platforms, and prohibits advertising that targets minors or promotes irresponsible gambling.
The dual regulatory system—with tribes maintaining primary authority over gaming on tribal lands and the ADG overseeing event wagering statewide—creates a unique compliance environment. Operators must navigate both state regulations and tribal compact provisions, ensuring responsible gambling protections apply consistently across all licensed venues and platforms.
Arizona’s preventive approach includes mandatory operator programs to mitigate problem gambling, confidential treatment resources through the Division of Problem Gambling, and enforcement mechanisms including winnings forfeiture and debt setoff programs. The state’s 24/7 helpline, statewide treatment provider network, and accessible self-exclusion options reflect a commitment to supporting individuals affected by gambling harm while maintaining a robust legal gambling market.
Arizona sets high standards for responsible gambling compliance. See how Comm100 automates player protection, supports regulatory requirements, and delivers human-like support at scale.
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