While Arizona gambling law prohibits online casinos for real money, this doesn’t stop players in the Copper State from playing casino-style games at the best sweepstakes and social casinos in the US. These sites allow you to spin the reels, play table games, and win prizes without gambling a dollar!
In this guide, we’ll take you through gambling in Arizona, including recommending the best social casinos in the state. We’ll highlight the best games for AZ players, along with generous welcome bonuses for new players at AZ sweepstakes casinos. This guide will also give you key information about the history of online gambling in Arizona, current Arizona gambling law, tips playing safely, and the best land-based casinos in the Grand Canyon State.
Arizona offers some legal gambling options but is strict compared to some other US states. Tribal casinos, online sports betting, the state lottery, and off-track betting (OTB) on horse racing and greyhound racing are offered legally in the Copper State. However, online casinos and online poker for real money are not.
At the best online casinos in Arizona, you can access a wide range of exciting games without having to spend a dime. From the fast-paced thrill of slots and progressive jackpots to the strategic gameplay of blackjack and poker, there’s something for everyone at AZ sweepstake casinos. You can also enjoy roulette, baccarat, and live dealer games for a more immersive online casino experience. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a beginner, Arizona’s online casinos cater to all tastes and skill levels.
RTP indicates how much a slot will likely pay back over time. For example, if the RTP is 96% and you spend $100, the slot will likely pay back $96 over time. Of course, fair games are random on every spin so that you could win more or less than this amount. It’s just an average estimated by millions of simulated spins.
While Arizona gambling is legal, it is currently restricted to land-based casinos on tribal land and online sports betting. Online casino games for real money are illegal, but you can still play casino-style games without spending a dollar at social and sweepstakes casinos in the state.
In 1988, Congress passed the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), allowing tribal gaming to promote economic development for federally recognized tribes. IGRA allowed tribes to sign gaming compacts with states to allow Class III gaming on tribal land, allowing tribes to provide slot machines and blackjack.
Arizona did not originally sign a compact with the state’s 22 federally recognized tribes, leading to the state conducting raids on tribes that offered slot machines throughout the early 90s. Governor Fife Symington introduced legal gambling to the Copper State in 1992, granting sixteen tribes compacts. This was extended in 2002 with Proposition 202 and today includes all 22 tribes.
In 2021, Governor Doug Ducey legalized sports betting through HB 2772 on April 15, 2021. The state’s first online sportsbook launched in September 2021. It is regulated by the Arizona Department of Gaming, which was founded in 1995 to ensure the enforcement of gambling regulations, including sports betting and land-based Class III gambling.
Under US sweepstakes law, Arizona casinos are required to verify the identity of players despite not offering real money online casino games. The AZ casino verification process requires you to provide some personal information before exchanging your virtual coins for real-life prizes. Still, at most online casinos in the Copper State, this process is straightforward. To get started, follow the steps below.
To play at Arizona online casinos, you cannot wager real money but instead can purchase virtual coins to enjoy casino-style games and win prizes. Below, we’ve provided a step-by-step guide to fund your account and start playing.
AZ social casinos will accept a range of trusted payment methods, enabling you to boost your bankroll by purchasing coins to play casino-style games. Common payment methods include bank cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers. However, many sweeps sites offer prize redemptions via gift cards.
The legal gambling age in Arizona is 21 years old, but players cannot currently legally play online casino games for real money. The only legal casino games available in the Copper State are at AZ sweepstakes casinos, which allow members aged 18 or older to register. As you cannot win real money at these sites, they are not subject to the same restrictions as online casinos in other states and land-based casinos in Arizona.
To play at Arizona online sweepstakes casinos, you’ll need to verify that you are over the required gambling age at sweepstake casinos of 18 or older. To do this, you’ll need to provide some proof of age, such as a copy of your photo ID. The verification process normally takes a few days to complete, and you’ll usually be able to purchase coins but will be restricted from claiming prizes.
All casinos in Arizona, including any future online casinos in the Copper State, are regulated by the Arizona Department of Gaming. The department was formed in 1995 during the first wave of tribal compacts that led to the widespread growth of land-based casinos in AZ. Today, it regulates land-based casinos with tribal authorities, awards licenses for online sports betting sites, and ensures player safety in operators.
Mobile online casinos in Arizona offer a convenient way for players to enjoy casino-style games wherever they want to play. While we know that while real-money online casinos are not legal in the Copper State, social and sweepstake casino apps are available for players in AZ. These apps are optimized for smartphones and tablets, allowing players to spin the reels and play table games using virtual coins on the go.
If you’re looking to play casino-style games on your Android device, you’re in luck. There are some great sweepstakes casino options for players looking to spin the reels and play table games on their Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus, or other Android smartphones. Check out our best-rated Arizona social casino apps for Android below, which you can download from the Google Play Store.
Similarly, there are lots of Arizona social casino apps available for players using iOS mobile devices. These apps are available via the Apple App Store and optimized for iPhones and iPads, offering an intuitive iOS social casino experience. Below, we’ve listed some of the best-rated Arizona sweepstake casino apps for Apple devices.
Online gambling in Arizona has seen a number of significant developments, from the launch of tribal gaming in 1992 to the launch of online sports betting in 2021. Below, we’ve listed the major milestones in the history of online gambling laws in the Grand Canyon State.
Governor Fife Symington signs the first tribal-state compact to permit Class III gaming on tribal reservations, legalizing land-based casino games in The Copper State.
The Arizona Department of Gaming is established, providing a regulator for gambling operations in the state.
The US Supreme Court repeals the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), allowing states to legalize and regulate sports betting.
Senator Sonny Borrelli, Leo Biasiucci, and Mark Finchem introduce SB 1158 to the Arizona State Senate to legalize sports betting at liquor retailers, but the bill fails to pass the committee stage.
Senators Borrelli and Steve Pierce introduce SB1525 to permit tribal casinos to offer sports betting at liquor locations, but the bill once again fails.
Representative Jeff Weninger introduces HB2772 to legalize online and retail sports betting through tribal casinos and sports franchises. It also proposes the legalization of daily fantasy sports (DFS). The bill passes both houses of the Arizona Legislature.
HB2772 is signed into law by Governor Doug Ducey, legalizing sports betting and DFS in the Grand Canyon State.
The Arizona Department of Gaming releases sportsbook regulations and opens a two-week application window for licenses.
Sports betting launches in Arizona on the opening day of the 2021 NFL Season.
In Arizona, legal online gambling is limited to online sports betting, sweepstakes, and social casinos. The Arizona Department of Gaming regulates online sportsbooks, and since Arizona sweepstakes casinos do not allow you to gamble with real money, they are not required to hold real-money gambling licenses.
Offshore casino sites, however, offer real-money games but are not regulated by US or State law. They are not licensed and do not have to comply with the range of regulations and stipulations set by a regulatory body like the Arizona Department of Gaming to keep players safe. This includes responsible gaming, data security, and fair games.
Gambling at offshore sites, therefore, is not considered safe as these sites lack accountability and leave players with no protection if they are the victim of fraud, disputes, and unfair games. Should online casinos become legal in the Grand Canyon State, only gambling at licensed and regulated sites will ensure that you are protected when spinning the reels and playing table games.
In the meantime, you can enjoy casino-style games at Arizona social casinos. As these sites do not offer gambling for real money and use coins to spin the reels and play table games like blackjack and baccarat, they are safe and trusted and do not need to hold gambling licenses.
Arizona hosts 26 land-based tribal casinos with Class III gaming options, which range from slots and electronic table games to poker, blackjack, craps, keno, and baccarat. These casinos are operated by federally recognized tribes under compacts with the state, such as the San Carlos Apache, Gila River Indian Community, and Pascua Yaqui Tribe.
The Copper State got its first land-based casinos in 1992 after Governor Symington signed the first tribal-state compact. Land-based casinos are regulated by the Arizona Department of Gaming, which was established in 1995 to regulate gambling in the state. Below, we’ve listed each of the land-based casinos in AZ.
Harrah’s Ak-Chin Hotel and Casino, which opened on December 27, 1994, is owned by the Ak-Chin Indian Community and operated by Caesars Entertainment. It is located in the Sonoran Desert near Phoenix. Following a $20 million expansion in 2011, the property now features over 500 guest rooms, a resort pool, and a variety of dining options. Guests can enjoy more than 1,135 slots, a Caesars retail sportsbook, live entertainment, a spa, and access to the Southern Dunes Golf Club nearby.
Talking Stick Resort, located on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Reservation near Scottsdale, Arizona, opened on April 15, 2010. The resort replaced the original Casino Arizona at the site, which opened in 1999. The 240,000-square-foot site features a 98,000-square-foot casino with over 1,300 slot machines, 496 guest rooms, 21 meeting rooms, and numerous entertainment spaces. Owned by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, the resort also boasts a Grand Ballroom, a spa, and an outdoor pool area hosting concerts.
Paradise Casino is a tribal casino situated on the Fort Yuma Indian Reservation near Yuma, Arizona, operated by the Quechan Tribe. Opened in 1996, it initially featured 475 slot machines and has since expanded its offerings to include modern amenities like its Sportsbook Lounge, where guests can enjoy HDTVs and comfortable seating while placing bets. Renovated in 2011, the casino now boasts 500 slot machines, expanded gaming areas, live entertainment at its major venue, Sharky’s Lounge, and diverse dining options, including The Cove and Paradise Kaa’fe.
While you cannot gamble for real money in Arizona, you can play at social casinos. These sites offer casino-style games, like slots, table games, and even some live dealer games, for virtual coins, which can be exchanged for prizes.
Absolutely – Arizona casino players can spin the reels and even play table games without spending a dollar at social and sweepstakes casinos. Real-money online casino games, however, are illegal in the State of Arizona.
Some of the best online casinos in Arizona include RealPrize Casino, Hello Millions Casino, High 5 Casino, WOW Vegas, and Stake.us Casino. These sweeps sites offer a range of great casino-style games that are available for you to play without spending a dollar.
Yes, the social casinos listed on this page are safe and offer free-to-play casino games that give you the thrill of spinning the reels without spending real money. Each online casino in Arizona listed on this page is reviewed extensively by us to ensure it is safe and trusted.
Of course, you can claim bonuses at Arizona casinos, including the ones recommended on this page. These social casino bonuses give you extra coins and free spins at games.