Over the last decade, the popularity of online poker has risen exponentially. Even after the US passed the UIGEA, ostensibly criminalizing the act of gambling over the internet, online poker remained immensely popular, albeit a little less accessible. For online poker players in Arizona and across the US, April 25, 2011 was a dark day, known throughout the community as the Black Friday of online poker. Low and Behold, in December of that same year, the US Department of Justice suddenly reversed its opinion of internet gambling, giving individual states the right to decide whether certain forms of online wagering should be permitted. And with that, a beam of hope spread as players looked forward to the possibility of new online poker laws in Arizona.

Delaware – The First State launched legal poker cardrooms online in 2015. In fact, Delaware is the most permissive state in America when it comes to online poker real money USA legal sites. New Jersey – The Garden State came a little late to the party, launching online poker for money. Online Poker Real Money - Best 10 Real Money Poker Sites. Our primary goal is to keep you up to date with the latest online poker rooms from around the world. We are well aware that most of you enjoy playing online poker or are very interested in finding a suitable online poker room where you can participate in real money. BetOnline has held a gambling license from the country of Panama. Since it relocated there in 2004, and it is this that ensures all of your poker gameplay is done within a safe and fair environment. Because the platform is quite fluid in the types of online gambling that it provides, with players having the ability to access a sportsbook, casino, racebook, eSports and more alongside poker. Of the US-facing sites operating in 2021, all accept real-money bank transactions from Arizona players. While specific online poker laws haven't been introduced, there is nothing to stop players in the Grand.

Legality of Online Poker Arizona

Arizona may be home to two dozen land-based gaming facilities state wide, but that doesn’t mean they are keen on the idea of gambling within the state. The fact is, 22 of those establishments are tribal casinos, thus Arizona’s state government has nothing to do with them, and sees no profit from the revenue they produce. The other two are dedicated horse racing tracks, the Turf Paradise Racetrack in Phoenix and Yavapai Downs in Prescott Valley. Arizona does offer its citizens a state lottery, which generates extra tax dollars.

Despite the abundance of tribal casinos across The Copper State, the government seems to prefer keeping its hands out of gambling issues as much as possible. In fact, public officials managed to prevent tribal casinos from invading their borders up until the 1990’s, when a huge legal battle burst the state’s anti-gambling fortifications right out of the water, resulting in the mass of tribal casinos found there today.

We know a little about Arizona’s gambling laws in general, but to truly determine the legalities of online poker in Arizona, let’s take a quick look at the state’s gaming statutes. We’ll also discuss whether online poker and other forms of internet gambling may be discussed around the congressional tables anytime in the near future.

Arizona Statutes – Gambling Laws

The Arizona Revised Statutes are fairly simple in regards to what is and is not illegal in terms of gambling in Arizona. The state prohibits all forms of gambling that are not following the tribal compacts of Arizona, conducted in accordance with and under control of the government and its taxation laws and/or is, by definition, ‘social gambling’.

The following definitions are taken directly from the Arizona Revised Statutes – Title 13, Chapter 33.

Gambling/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…

Player: means a natural person who participates in gambling.

Social Gambling: means gambling that is not conducted as a business and that involves players who compete on equal terms with each other in a gamble if all of the following apply:

(a) No player receives, or becomes entitled to receive, any benefit, directly or indirectly, other than the player’s winnings from the gamble.

(b) No other person receives or becomes entitled to receive any benefit, directly or indirectly, from the gambling activity, including benefits of proprietorship, management or unequal advantage or odds in a series of gambles.

(c) …none of the players is under twenty-one years of age.

(d) Players “compete on equal terms with each other in a gamble” when no player enjoys an advantage over any other player in the gamble under the conditions or rules of the game or contest.

There is another interesting definition that we’ll take a closer look at, in part (because it’ very long and only certain parts apply to this document); Amusement Gambling. To cut to the chase, just read the red text.

Amusement Gambling: means gambling involving a device, game or contest which is played for entertainment if all of the following apply:

(a) The player or players actively participate in the game or contest or with the device.

(b) The outcome is not in the control to any material degree of any person other than the player or players.

(c) The prizes are not offered as a lure to separate the player or players from their money.

(d) Any of the following:

(i) No benefit is given to the player or players other than an immediate and unrecorded right to replay which is not exchangeable for value.

(ii) The gambling is an athletic event and no person other than the player or players derives a profit or chance of a profit from the money paid to gamble by the player or players.

(iii) The gambling is an intellectual contest or event, the money paid to gamble is part of an established purchase price for a product, no increment has been added to the price in connection with the gambling event and no drawing or lottery is held to determine the winner or winners.

(iv) 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 playersother than a merchandise prize which has a wholesale fair market value of less than four (4) 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 four (4) 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 thirty-five (35) dollars.

I’ve highlighted these particular sections because it does seem feasible that one could bypass the majority of state laws and run a legitimate poker room if the right procedures were followed. The prizes would have to be redeemable vouchers or merchandise with restricted values, but it does seem that, if the proper licensing was received, a state regulated poker room isn’t out of the question for Arizona.

There are plenty more definitions I could list along with these, but they become increasingly less interesting and have little or no impact on the legalities of online poker in Arizona; or lack thereof. If you’d like to read them, please click the link provided at the beginning of this section.

What does it all mean? Is online poker illegal in Arizona?

Simply put, no, online poker is not legal in Arizona. If you while away the hours grinding over the text of Arizona’s complete gambling laws, you will find that the majority of them criminalize the operation of unlawful gambling, much more so than the act of committing a gamble. There isn’t a single known case against an Arizona citizen for playing online poker. As such, there are plenty of legitimate offshore poker sites that accept players from Arizona. But the fact remains, the laws are wide open to interpretation, and could easily be viewed as outlawing online poker in Arizona.

For some additional reading on the topic, you may also find this brief study on legal gambling activities in Arizona, conducted by the UNLV Center for Gaming Research, to be rather enlightening.

Is Arizona working to legalize online poker?

Unfortunately, the question of online poker is a dead one in Arizona. The Grand Canyon State has offered no news headlines or controversial debates in regards to internet gambling, and it isn’t one to likely pick up on it in the near future, either. On the other hand, let’s not forget that Arizona’s junior Senator, Jon Kyl, has been working diligently on the passage of federal online poker laws. Thus the possibility of internet card gaming in Arizona’s future is not entirely out of the question. It could just be that Kyl is determined to see federal regulation before he pushes for statewide acceptance.

Tourists in Arizona can stand on a unique spot while visiting the state – a spot where the borders of four states collide, meaning you can literally be in all four states at once. When both of your feet are planted on Arizona land, however, you’ll be in a place that takes a complex attitude toward gambling.

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 in AZ.

Arizona and Online Poker

Arizona has become a bit of a poker hotbed over the last decade or two, and that interest in poker transitioned online as more and more sites began offering real money poker games in Arizona. That situation continues to this day, with thousands of players from Arizona signing up to play poker online.

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 (you can review the Arizona code directly – just search for “gambling” first. 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 and the law in Arizona.

Is It Legal To Play Online Poker in Arizona?

Online Poker Arizona Real Money Winning

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, so 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?

Our research did not reveal any initiatives related to online poker regulation in Arizona. It’s always possible that the state could come along as other states choose to regulate poker player online, but we do not expect Arizona to be a leader on the issue of regulating online poker. For the time being, players will have to be content with online poker sites that are not directly regulated by the state of Arizona.

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: Arizona is now home to nearly two dozen casinos offering games that rival the menus of their Las Vegas counterparts.

Regulated Gambling Choices in Arizona

There are a litany of choices for gambling seeking regulated options in Arizona. The primary source of regulated gambling in the state are the 22 tribal casinos spread across Arizona, and you’ll also find a state lottery, horse racing and charitable gambling within Arizona’s borders.

All Poker and Gambling Laws by State

• A casino company might soon hold naming rights to an NFL stadium. Gila River Gaming Enterprises, which owns four casinos in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Gila River Gaming might soon own the naming rights to the Arizona Cardinals’ stadium, which originally was named Cardinals Stadium and currently is named University

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• Phil Mickelson, the 5-time major winner on the PGA Tour, agreed to pay back nearly $1 million in profits from an insider trading deal. Mickelson is seen by federal authorities as having profited from insider trading, though he is not accused of any wrongdoing himself. The place is a part

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• A man alleged to have shot and killed a retired California police officer in the parking lot of an Arizona casino has been captured. John Campus Sr. was arrested by Phoenix police after a week-long manhunt. Several witnesses claim they saw Campos shoot a man during a failed carjacking outside

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• The Desert Diamond Resort and Casino opens on Sunday amid controversy. The Desert Diamond, which is owned and operated by the Tohono O’Odham tribe, is no stranger to controversy. The Tohono O’Odham tribe has been trying to build the casino since the early 2000s, a move which has been opposed

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The junior Senator from Arizona, Jon Kyl, has been working for some time on a bill to regulate online poker at the federal level. This bill is reportedly being developed by Kyl and Nevada Senator Harry Reid, who has been a long-time proponent of regulating online poker and online gambling.

Arizona Gambling Resources

Arizona 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.

Is Online Poker Legal In Arizona

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

While not as rich in poker history as a Texas or California, Arizona plays an important role in the modern tale of the game. The Arizona State Poker Championship has become a marquee event on the US tournament circuit, and the prowess of Arizonian poker players was proven yet again in 2012 when ASU student Jake Balsiger took 3rd place in the World Series of Poker Main Event.

Helpful Gambling Resources and Links