Arizona Sports Betting Bill Passes House, Moves To Senate

An Arizona sports betting bill has passed through the House by a vote of 48-12.
Under the terms of the bill, Arizona sportsbooks would be allowed at tribal sportsbooks, professional sports stadiums and online.

PHOENIX, Az. – Arizona sports betting is one step closer to becoming a reality as the state’s House of Representatives passed a sports betting bill by an overwhelming majority.

Sports betting legislation passes the Arizona House with over 2/3rds support! #AZleg pic.twitter.com/zv3Ea2TP7u

— Andrew Diss (@AndrewDissNV) March 4, 2021

HB 2772, a bill sponsored by Rep. Jeff Weninger passed through the House by a total margin of 48-12. The bill would legalize sportsbooks at professional sports venues, tribal casinos, and allow tribal casinos to offer online sports betting statewide.

The bill still has to pass through the state Senate before being sent to the governor’s desk to be signed into law.

Steps Remaining For Legal Arizona Sports Betting

Weninger’s bill isn’t the only Arizona sports betting bill active in the state legislature this session.

Senate Bill 1794 is currently sitting on the Senate floor waiting for a vote of its own. The big difference, however, is the fact that the Senate bill was tacked onto a bill that would also legalize historical horse racing machines.

This could cause problems for the Senate bill moving forward. HHR machines can be compared to slot machines which would likely cause strong tribal opposition to the bill.

However, now that HB 2772 is in the Senate, it will have a chance to be passed without the addition of HHR machines. The House bill will need to pass through the appropriate committees and the Senate floor similar to the process taken in the House.

The Arizona legislature adjourns on April 24, giving it plenty of time to be heard and passed in the 2021 legislative session.

Details Of The House Bill

Legal sports betting would be widely available if HB 2772 continues to see the favorable trajectory it’s seen in the House.

There are seven professional sports venues and 24 tribal casinos that would all be able to apply for a sports betting license if given the chance. Tribal sportsbooks would also be eligible to offer online sports betting outside of their tribal lands.

One such tribe has already taken steps to offer an online sportsbook. Kindred partnered with the Quechan Tribe of Arizona in order to launch their Unibet platform pending legislative and regulatory approval.

The bill would also make Arizona one of the next states with daily fantasy sports. Arizona is currently one of just six states who don’t allow their residents to use fantasy sports sites.

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Hasan Nabulsi

– In his career, Hasan has worked both local and state government positions—including the Attorney General’s Office in Florida. On top of being familiar with the legislative process, he has also been researching and writing on the legality of sports betting across the US. Outside of work you’ll most likely find him producing or playing music, playing sports, or working on creative writing projects. You’ll also catch him at Doak Campbell Stadium cheering on the Noles.