Legal Online Poker Arizona

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May 01, 2013 2021 Update: Is Online Poker Legal in Arizona There are still no bills to legalize online poker in Arizona. But they did recently hold an online poker tournament. In light of the coronavirus pandemic, Neighbors Helping Neighbors held an online charity poker tournament to benefit a local food bank in Arizona. Arizona Online Poker Law When trying to gauge the legality or illegality of online poker in Arizona, we must turn to the Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 13, Criminal Code, because this is where all the legal language explaining what's considered a crime is contained. The part that tackles gambling is Chapter 33, Gambling.

What better way is there in 2021 to get away from the scorching desert heat in Arizona than by playing a game of Texas Hold’em Internet poker or live real money poker? Thankfully, players from Arizona have a multitude of legal live poker betting options, primarily through its range of tribal casinos. On the down side, the state’s gambling laws essentially prohibit Internet gambling websites. That, and Arizona is one of only five states that dissuade players in AZ from gambling real cash on fantasy sports.

Yes, Arizona’s lawful gambling stance appears to be at odds with itself, evident by former Arizona Senator Jon Kyl’s decision to back a Federal Internet gambling bill a mere six years after supporting the UIGEA. So, whether or not Arizona throws its sand covered hat into the real money Internet poker and gambling arena in 2021 or at a later stage remains a big question mark – a mystery that may not be deciphered anytime soon and leaves residents of The Grand Canyon state staring into an abyss of legit Texas Hold’em uncertainty.

We’ve found real money US poker sites that accept Arizona gamblers. Creating an account couldn’t be easier, and it’s free.

Arizona Lawmaker Looks To Legalize Fantasy Sports Wagering

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In February 2014, Senator Adam Driggs (R-Phoenix, AZ) introduced a bill calling for the legalization of real cash fantasy sports wagering [1]. Arguing that hundreds of thousands of Arizonans already participate in the widely popular game, Driggs believes that it’s kind of inconsistent to discriminate against them by not offering a lawful gambling option to the people of Arizona for 2021.

Apparently, other members of legislature share Driggs’ sentiments, as SB 1468 received no opposition from the Senate’s Committee on Commerce, Energy and Military. The bill is slated to be brought before the Senate floor shortly and it could pave the way for legal poker.

Legal Online Poker Arizona

Arizona’s residents, along with inhabitants of Arkansas,Louisiana, Iowa and Tennessee, are currently prohibited from participating in real-money fantasy sports betting on websites such as DraftKings, FanDuel and Yahoo Sports.

The UIGEA of 2006 [2] introduced a clause exempting fantasy sports real cash gambling, in so long as providers adhered to certain guidelines. Yet, states with a clause relating to games of chance technically violate the parameters of the Act.

Should SB 1468 pass, fantasy sports would be deemed a game of skill and hopefully that could clear the way for real money poker Internet betting.

Can Players From Arizona Play Online Poker?

Yes. While not all US-facing 2015 real cash poker websites accept players from the Grand Canyon state, AZ’s poker gambling brethren shouldn’t experience any trouble signing up via one of our top, most recommended,international Internet poker websites for 2021 on our homepage.

Not since the pre-Black Friday days that doomed lawful real money poker websites has creating an account, making a deposit and finding an Internet poker game been so easy. So why drive through the desert heat, when the best poker betting action is only a mouse click away?

Is Online Poker Legal In Arizona?

Arizona’s general legal gambling statues are moderate in nature as they stand now in 2021. Well, mostly.
The state takes a firm stance against online poker websites, one it would have to amend should legislators ever consider legalizing Internet gambling within the state. For now, it appears that all forms of unregulated real money Internet betting are against the law, although it is unclear how widely enforced AZ State’s anti-real cash gambling provisions actually are in 2021.

As always, it’s best to talk to a lawyer or other professional versed in lawful Internet poker gambling law before making a presumption regarding the legality of online poker. For now, let’s take a look at AZ’s real money betting law’s finer points, kicking things off with how the state of Arizona defines the act of gambling:

“Gambling 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.

Notice the usage of the term skill. Arizona makes no allowances for skill games, rendering the argument as to whether winning real cash during betting on poker play requires more skill or luck irrelevant.

A player who knowingly obtains any benefit from gambling is guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor. Illicit online gambling and land-based betting operators face more severe charges. Anyone who conducts, organizes, manages, directs, supervises or finances real cash poker gambling or betting of any other kind in Arizona is guilty of a class 5 felony.

The law makes exceptions for regulated, legal gambling, amusement gambling and most notably social gambling, such as playing real money poker with friends. Social gambling is defined as:

Gambling that is not conducted as a business and that involves players who compete on equal terms with each other in a gamble. This includes real money poker games like Texas Hold’em. If no player receives, or becomes entitled to receive, any benefit, directly or indirectly, other than the player’s winnings from the gambling, then the act constitutes social gambling, in so long as the player in AZ is at least 21 years of age and no player enjoys an advantage over any other player in the gamble under the conditions of rules of the game or contest. Section 13-3301(7).

In other words, Arizonans are free to hold home poker games, in so long as a house fee or rake isn’t being charged on the real cash poker gambling.

In regards to Internet gambling and poker betting websites specifically, the law states that Indian tribes and state committees are banned from opening or conducting Internet betting operations. That being said, the law does not explicitly prohibit real cash poker players in AZ from playing at poker websites online in 2021, although the definition of gambling could easily be interpreted to imply that lawful Internet poker can’t exist.

There are no accounts of Texas Hold’em real money players in Arizona being charged for playing and betting on poker websites online. To read the AZ state’s full code [3], please refer to the “References” section. Tip: search for the term gambling.

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The Facts

The History Of Gambling In Arizona

1912

1912

Arizona became a state and one of their first laws was to ban all forms of gambling where the house makes a profit, which is an incredible law in comparison to the present day. This law did not apply to any form of social gambling (e.g. home games).

1980

1980

Legislature approves a State lottery, proving to be one of the most popular gambling forms for people throughout the state of Arizona.

1987

1987

Indian gaming was introduced to the state after pushing through the “Cabazon Court Case”

1990

1990

A number of tribes in Arizona installed slots on their land, which caused a backlash with the governor of the state and ultimately led to legal challenges. The tribes were under the impression that regulation of other gambling formats implied that permission for slots to be installed was granted. These legal complications would last for 10 years.

1993

1993

After years of tension, ‘compacts’ were signed by the tribes and agreements were met with the state.

1994Online

1994

Following these agreements, sixteen tribes had signed compacts. This ultimately led to more casinos in operation, approximately 10 by the end of 1994. These compacts last for 10 years and then terms would have to be re-negotiated.

2000

2000

The Governor starts negotiation for the renewal of the tribal-state compacts.

2003

2003

Compacts were renewed and 5 more tribes were added. This brought the total to approximately 21 and potential for more casinos to be built.

2012

2012

The Tribal-State Gaming compacts were about to be renewed for an additional 10 years for the tribes that signed them.

2013

2013

Two new casinos were opened in 2013 after construction had finally been completed. In May, the Navajo Nation opened its first Arizona Casino which was called Twin Arrows. Also, in July the grand opening of the Vee Quiva Casino was launched.

Arizona was the last of the lower 48 states to be accepted into the Union. Given the general anti-gambling sentiment of the early 1900s, Arizona was required to take a firm stance against real cash poker rooms and casinos in order for government to accept its application for statehood. Arizona’s officials obliged, and Arizona became a state in 1912.

Before that time, betting on what can’t strictly be called legit poker games and other gambling games was prevalent throughout AZ. And just like prohibition did little to quell the spread of alcohol, even when it was deemed not to be legal poker gambling remained a staple of Arizona’s underground scene for years to come.

In 1950, voters chose not to legalize casinos or real money poker. However, that decade horse and dog races as well as some forms of charitable betting were approved.

By the 1980s, charitable gambling houses were making use of slot machines but still not offering legit real cash poker to Arizona residents.

In fact, the manufacturers were also selling said slot machines to organizations located through Nevada. Social gambling received an exemption from the law in the late 80s. Bars and other public institutions quickly took advantage of the state’s leniency, eventually leading law enforcement agencies to crackdown on what people thought were lawful poker games.

In 1991, a statewide lottery was implemented in Arizona, followed by the launch of an influx of tribal casinos and real cash poker betting rooms. However, because the proper compacts were not in place, AZ State’s tribes were forced to fight a long and drawn out battle with Arizona’s state officials before receiving sovereignty over the casino industry. The first compacts were signed in 1992, and many more were forged in the years that followed. Voters chose to renew existing tribal compacts in 2002, and to date nearly all of the state’s 22 tribes enjoy the freedom to operate casinos and legal poker games.

Regulated Gambling Options In Arizona

There is no shortage of regulated gambling and betting options in Arizona in 2021. Charitable gambling is permissible in all forms, poker included. Pari-mutuel wagering and various forms of the lottery are also legal; the latter including popular multi-jurisdiction formats such as Mega Millions and Powerball.

The state’s Indian tribes operate 22 casinos, the largest of which are operated by the Gila River Indian Community [4]. Most tribal casinos operate full-scale poker rooms that let Arizona residents enjoy legit real money poker at their convenience.

The Future Of Regulated Online Gambling In Arizona

There’s a multitude of opposing factors at play when it comes to regulating Internet poker gambling in Arizona this year or in the future. The state’s politicians are generally conservative by nature, and have yet to seriously broach the issue of legal real cash poker betting websites. Compounding matters further, Arizona’s many tribes seem content to stay away from online Internet poker, fearing that its presence will have a negative impact on their brick and mortar poker gambling casino revenues. And let’s not forget that former Senator Jon Kyl was a major proponent of the UIGEA and that currently, Arizona does not permit fantasy sports wagering.

Oh, and Arizona is one of the only states to feature anti-iGaming clauses against lawful real money Internet poker and casino gambling in its statues.

Yet, there are also firm indicators that Arizona could be entering the legit betting websites mix sooner rather than later. Let’s not forget that two of its closest neighbors are California and Nevada; states that have either already legalized online poker websites or are close to doing so. And then there’s the fact that Mr. Kyl worked with Sen. Harry Reid on a Federal Internet poker bill [5]. That particular iteration of the lawful real cash Internet poker bill failed, but since working with Kyl, Reid’s battle has continued to gain momentum and it started off 2015 in a strong position. Thus, it seems unlikely that Arizona would opt out of a Federal act involving legal poker websites, should one be passed in 2021 or later years.

Fun Fact

2012 WSOP Main Event 3rd place finisher Jake Balsiger hails from Tempe, Arizona [6]. At the time of his real cash poker score, the fearsome 21-year-old was still attending Arizona State University. Pocketing nearly $3.8 for his astonishing run, Jake would recently prove that his high poker betting finish was no fluke by placing third in the 2014 Aussie Millions AUD$10,600 No-Limit Texas Hold’em event. His finish down under was good for over $582k in real money poker winnings.

The Bottom Line

Arizona’s future, at least with regards to regulated online poker websites and Internet Texas Hold’em games, is marked by uncertainty. In order to host gambling operations, state officials would first have to amend the state’s current Internet gambling laws. It’s exceedingly unlikely that this will happen in AZ before an interstate compact relating to legit real cash poker websites with Nevada and California is in place.

If we had to categorize Arizona’s chance of entering the Internet poker betting market, we’d placed them somewhere between unlikely and wait and see.

There are certainly states far less likely to make legal Internet poker for real money happen in 2021. But while Arizona’s population of 6.55 million could support a thriving Internet poker gambling industry, it just doesn’t feel like Arizona will be compelled to do anything about it before others take the lead on lawful real cash poker websites.

References

[1] ↑Lawmaker: Make playing fantasy sports legal under state law

[2] ↑Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006

[3] ↑Arizona State Legislature

[4] ↑Gila River Gaming Enterprises

[5] ↑Reid, Kyl join forces on Internet gambling, pen letter to AG

[6] Jacob Balsiger

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Arizona has a colorful past when it comes to poker. The infamous Bird Cage Theatre in Tombstone held one of the longest running poker games ever played between famous businessmen, poker players, and bandits alike. The wild days of playing for life and death stakes may be over, but the opportunity to wager real money online in Arizona is ample and vibrant. There are many legitimate online poker rooms out there waiting for burgeoning card sharks to get in on the game. So grab your ten gallon hat, sharpen your spurs, and get ready to enter the exciting world of online poker.

This article will highlight some of the best online poker sites in existence, as well as fill you in on the legal aspects of betting over the internet, dispelling some of the rumors that permeate throughout the online wagering world. Arizona residents may have heard that it is illegal to bet online. While this is an unfortunately common misconception, it is luckily a false one!

Other Arizona Gambling Sites: Online Sportsbooks - Online Casinos

The internet can be a scary place to wager real money. We have scoured the web for the most renowned, and secure poker sites, and come up with the cream of the crop. These sites are as safe as Amazon or Netflix when it comes to handling your money, and we have tested the deposit/payout methods of each to ensure that they have the highest transaction speeds. Arizona poker players have many sites to choose from, and this article will make sure you sign up with a safe, tested, legit establishment.

The laws regarding betting online are there to protect the average player. The past was rife with nefarious establishments popping up in America, which prompted the Federal Government to create harsh laws against gambling. These laws have prohibited the facilitation of online gambling in most of the United States. Fortunately, the poker sites we have reviewed are located overseas, outside of Federal jurisdiction, where it is completely legal to wager online. Arizona residents can rest assured that it is 100% safe to play poker with real money on these websites. Again, these sites are fully legal establishments that operate outside of the U.S. You are completely within your rights to gamble with them, so let’s get you started!

More Help: Gambling Laws In Arizona

Best Poker Sites For Arizona Players

ArizonaGamblingSites have explored all the premier poker sites around, and have hand-picked what we consider to be the best of the best. These online poker sites are home to some of the most well-known players in the world, maintaining a reputation of legitimacy and safety for its members. Our criteria focus on safety, member bonuses, and the reliability/variety of poker games. Feel free to explore each of these top-notch sites, you don’t have to choose just one, many players find it beneficial to play on all of them.

Bovada is the leader of the pack when it comes to online poker. Do a search for internet poker sites and Bovada will undoubtedly be among the first few hits. The popularity of the site is no fluke, as it is backed by U.S. media giants such as FOX Sports and CNBC. Licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission in Canada, Bovada has enjoyed a long and legitimate career providing safe online poker rooms for Arizona citizens, as well as the rest of the world. As well as poker and many other games, they have one of the best sportsbooks around.

Joining Bovada is simple and intuitive. Just provide your contact information and verify your account through email, and your all set. Speaking of intuitive, Bovada offers its new members an amazing incentive to sign up and deposit now; upon your first deposit they will throw you a 100% poker welcome bonus, worth up to $1,000. It pays out as you gain poker points which you earn from playing games, meaning the more you play, the more of the bonus you will receive. You essentially get free money for doing what you signed up to do, isn’t that neat? There is no denying the care Bovada provides in its members, I highly suggest exploring the site for yourself, the proof is in the pudding.

With one of the biggest selections of casino games, BetOnline is as close to the real thing as you can get. Boasting a vibrant community of poker players, you might pick up the scent of menthols and mixed drinks while playing from the comfort of your own home. Operated out of Panama City, Panama, BetOnline has been one of the leading, fully legal, online gambling institutions for over 20 years. Dedicated members can attest to the professional practices and relaxed environment of BetOnline, check out some of their testimonials for more.

One of the reasons so many poker players choose BetOnline is due to the extremely attractive signup bonus. Use the simple 3-step process to create an account, and upon making your first deposit you can enter a promo code (which they give you on the site) and receive a 200% bonus worth up to $1,000! This kind of perk is unparalleled in the world of online wagering. You can essentially explore the site and play lower stakes games for a great while without putting a dent in your bankroll. BetOnline is a top tier, intuitive poker site for serious players.

SportsBetting's online poker room is quickly becoming a hot spot for poker players all over the world. Arizona residents will find a burgeoning, safe community of like-minded players populating the tables. Although it does have a first rate sportsbook, SportsBetting is NOT a one-stop-shop. It has one of the most well designed poker environments around, and is growing exponentially. Endorsed by the likes of CNBC and Yahoo! Sports, SportsBetting is a safe and legal hidden gem for Arizona residents to take advantage of now.

Signing up will grant you access to a 200% bonus upon your first deposit of $50 or more. There is a bonus code that is graciously supplied on the site, and once you shoot them an email with the code in the subject line, you can start adding free money to your bankroll. SportsBetting believes in customer service, and with bonuses like this you can rest assures that you will be well taken care of. The old smoke-filled saloons of Arizona may be a thing of the past, but if you’re searching for the next best thing, you can’t go wrong with SportsBetting.

Legal Online Poker Sites For Arizona Residents
Best Poker SitesFirst Time Deposit BonusPeak Avg. TrafficVisit
Bovada Poker100% up to $1,00018,000+ PlayersVISIT
BetOnline Poker200% up to $1,000 - 'POKERNEW'12,000+ PlayersVISIT
SportsBetting Poker200% up to $1,000 - 'POKER200'12,000+ PlayersVISIT
Frequently Asked Questions: Online Poker in Arizona

Q: Do I need to worry about the website getting shut down, and losing my money?

A: Poker sites that we review have all been operating for years legally, in places where there is no law against online betting practices. You do not need to worry about another “Black Friday”, or any of these sites being shut down for any reason, as they are in good standing with the laws of their lands. Your money is safe with the sites we review.

Q: How can I receive my winnings?

A: Since you cannot receive funds electronically from poker sites in Arizona, the most popular way to collect is by check in the mail. The site quotes this as taking as long as two-weeks, but most players receive theirs within a few days. Most sites also offer Money orders, Bitcoin, Wire Transfers, and other options. The 2nd best part of gambling is collecting your winnings, and you can rest assured that the sites we review will get you your money the fastest.

Q: What other betting options do they offer?

A: One of the criteria for a great gambling site is the amount of ways you can bet. Poker, Sports, Horses, Casino games… all of these and more are available at the click of a mouse or on your phone. You may join the site just for poker, but before long you might be playing the lines on your favorite sports, or spinning the virtual roulette wheel with the fun and intuitive interfaces that lay ahead.

Can You Play Online Poker In Arizona

Q: Can I safely browse other sites while playing?

A: The poker software opens in a separate window than your main browser, so you can check emails, Facebook, even watch Netflix while waiting to bet. Multi-tasking is ubiquitous with the internet age, and these intuitive sites are easy to use, and easy on your CPU as well.