Arizona Sports Betting Apps May 2022

Arizona sports betting is experiencing faster than expected growth since its launch last September.

More than $777.3 million was wagered in the first 53 days after the launch, with almost all of it done using mobile sports betting apps. Arizona pulled in nearly $15 million in state revenue through taxes and fees. The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) noted the state set a national record with its quick start. Arizona’s $777.3 million in sports betting handle more than doubled the previous record  for a market’s first two months. Virginia held the old mark at $324.7 million.

The ADG approved some of the best sports betting apps in the US, including DraftKings AZ Sportsbook. Bettors are now able to place bets on their mobile phones, tablets, or computers. Bettors can also wager in-person at retail sportsbooks located at Arizona casinos and sports stadiums.

As of May, there are currently nine live Arizona sports betting apps: DraftKings Sportsbook, BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, BetRivers, FanDuel Sportsbook, Unibet, WynnBet, Twinspires, and Barstool Sports. We expect many additional sportsbooks to launch throughout 2022.

Looking for the best sports betting app? Below is our guide for Arizona sports betting where we feature the highest-rated Arizona sportsbook apps, bonuses, and promotions.

Editors Choice for Best Sports Betting Apps & Offers 2022

Our editors and sports betting experts put together a list of the best Arizona online sports betting apps based on their opening bonus offer, ongoing promotions, quality of the app, and odds. Here are our favorites:

• DraftKings Sportsbook Arizona: Best Overall App & Offer ($50 Free with $5 Deposit)
• BetMGM Sportsbook Arizona: Best For New Bettors
• Caesars Sportsbook Arizona: Best For Advanced Bettors
• BetRivers Sportsbook Arizona: Best for Deposit Bonus
• Betfred Sportsbook Arizona: Best for Risk-Free Bet
• FanDuel Sportsbook Arizona: Best For Sports & DFS Players
• Unibet Sportsbook Arizona: Best For PayPal Deposits

Best Arizona Sportsbook Bonuses

DraftKings AZ Sportsbook

Best For Overall App + Bonus Offer

• DraftKings Arizona Promo: Claim $50 Free with $5 Deposit + 20% match bonus up to $1,000
• DraftKings Is Best For: Overall experience with a well-rated sports betting app and the strongest welcome offer, giving new players $50 Free with a minimum of a $5 dollar deposit.
• Local Partner: DraftKings is partnered with TPC Scottsdale and the PGA in Arizona.

Read our full DraftKings Arizona Sportsbook Review

BetMGM Sportsbook

Best For Las Vegas Bettors

• BetMGM Arizona Bonus: After depositing, get up to $1,000 risk-free on your first bet. Use bonus code TODAY
• BetMGM Is Best For: Las Vegas bettors who want to earn MGM points while having the ability to deposit and withdraw at sportsbooks across the country.
• Local Partner: BetMGM is partnered with Gila River Hotel & Casino for online and retail sportsbooks. They also have a partnership with the Arizona Cardinals.

Read our full BetMGM Arizona Sportsbook Review

Caesars Sportsbook Arizona

Best For Loyalty Program And Rewards

• Caesars Arizona Promo: Register to get up to $1,100 first bet insurance using Caesars Arizona promo code TODAYCZR
• Caesars Is Best For: Loyalty and rewards; in addition to the generous $1,100 first bet insurance offer, the Caesars loyalty program offers regular bonuses and promos.
• Local Partner: Arizona Diamondbacks

Read our full Caesars Sportsbook Review

BetRivers Arizona Sportsbook

Best for Deposit Bonus

• BetRivers Bonus: Get a 100% Deposit Match up to $250 using bonus code SHARP250
• BetRivers Is Best For: Deposit bonus; the 100% deposit match bonus up to $250 only requires a 1x playthrough, the best in the industry.
• Local Partner: Arizona Rattlers

Read our full BetRivers Sportsbook Review

Unibet Arizona Sportsbook

Best For PayPal Deposits

• Unibet Arizona Bonus: Claim a risk-free bet up to $250 using bonus code BETBONUS
• Unibet Is Best For: Fans of international sports and easy-to-use apps.
• Local Partner: Fort Yuma-Quechan Tribe

Read our full Unibet Sportsbook Review.

Betfred Arizona Sportsbook

Best For Risk-Free Bet

• Betfred Arizona Promo: With a deposit, get up to a $500 risk-free first bet using promo code SHARPBET
• Betfred Is Best For: Its bonuses and promotions; besides this welcome bonus, which is one of the best in the industry, Betfred offers several promotions for existing players, such as Parlay Insurance and Odds Boosts.
• Local Partner: We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort

Read our full Betfred Arizona Sportsbook Review

FanDuel Arizona Sportsbook

Best For Sports & DFS Players

• FanDuel Arizona Promo: With a deposit, get up to $1,000 risk-free on your first bet.
• FanDuel Is Best For: Sports experience; it offers both sports betting and DFS, and is one of the most highly-rated apps with over 200k reviews and a 4.8 rating.
• Local Partner: Phoenix Suns

Read our full FanDuel Arizona Sportsbook Review

Full List Of Arizona Sportsbooks

• DraftKings Sportsbook: Best For DFS Players
• BetMGM Sportsbook: Best For Vegas Bettors
• Caesars Sportsbook: Best For Loyalty Program
• BetRivers: Best For Deposit Bonus
• Betfred Arizona: Best for $500 Risk-Free Bet
• FanDuel Sportsbook: Best For Overall App
• Unibet: Best For PayPal Deposits
• WynnBET Sportsbook
• Golden Nugget Sportsbook
• Bally Bet
• Barstool Sportsbook
• Betway
• Fubo Sportsbook
• Desert Diamond
• SuperBook Sports
• TwinSpires
• SaharaBets
• Hard Rock Sportsbook

Arizona Retail Sportsbooks

In addition to sports betting apps launching in Arizona, retail sportsbooks are also available in the state, and any tribal casino in the state is allowed to open a retail sportsbook. Keep in mind that you cannot claim bonus offers at a retail sportsbook, so make sure to claim online beforehand!

• FanDuel Sportsbook at Footprint Center: 201 E Jefferson St, Phoenix, AZ 85004
  • Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-11pm, Saturday & Sunday 8am-Midnight
• Caesars at Chase Field Betting Windows: 401 E Jefferson St, Phoenix, AZ 85004
  • Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-11pm, Saturday & Sunday 8am-Midnight
• Caesars Sportsbook at Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino: 15406 N Maricopa Rd, Maricopa, AZ 85139
  • Hours:
    • Sportsbook kiosks open 24/7
    • Sportsbook counter hours: Monday-Thursday 10am-10pm, Friday 10am-11pm, Saturday-Sunday 8am-11pm
• TwinSpires Sportsbook at Mazatzal Hotel and Casino: Highway 87, Mile Marker 251, Payson, AZ 85541
  • Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-Midnight, Saturday & Sunday 24 hours
• BetMGM at Gila River Hotel and Casino at Vee Quiva: 15091 S Komatke Ln, Laveen Village, AZ 85339
  • Hours: 24 hours
• BetMGM at Gila River Hotel and Casino at Wild Horse Pass: 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd, Chandler, AZ 85226
  • Hours: 24 hours
• BetMGM at Gila River Hotel and Casino at Lone Butte: 1077 S Kyrene Rd, Chandler, AZ 85226
  • Hours: 24 hours
• SolSports at Casino Del Sol: 5655 W Valencia Rd, Tucson, AZ 85757
  • Hours: 24 hours
• Betfred at We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort: 10438 WeKoPa Way, Fort McDowell, AZ 85264
  • Hours: 24 hours
• Desert Diamonds Casino Tucson: 7350 S. Nogales Highway, Tucson, AZ 85756
  • Hours: 24 hours
• Desert Diamonds Casino Sahuarita: 1100 W. Pima Mine Road, Suhuarita, AZ 85629
  • Hours: 24 hours
• Desert Diamonds Casino West Valley: 9431 W. Northern Ave, Glendale, AZ 85305
  • Hours: 24 hours
• Unibet Sportsbook at Paradise Casino: 450 Quechan Drive, Yuma, AZ 85364
  • Hours: 24 hours
  • Unibet Sportsbook was also awarded nine limited event wagering operator licenses that will be opening over the coming months.

Retail Sportsbooks in Arizona Opening Soon:

• BetMGM at State Farm Stadium
  • Expected to be ready for the start of the 2022 NFL season
• DraftKings Sportsbook at TPC Scottsdale
  • Expected opening in Spring 2023

How To Place A Bet In Arizona

The first step in placing a bet in Arizona is registering with your chosen app. Although some states require sportsbook bettors to visit the brick-and-mortar or licensed retail location of their mobile sportsbook app to complete the registration process, this is not the case in Arizona. Instead, Arizona bettors can download and register on a sports betting app or through a mobile or desktop browser. 

Download And Register

Once bettors determine which app they want to bet with, players only need to download the sportsbook of their choice, provide a few pieces of personal information to verify their identity, and install the sportsbook and associated geolocation software.

Apple device users will be able to download their favorite sportsbook right to their device using the App Store. Android users can do the same using the Google Play Store. 

Each sportsbook will ask for certain pieces of information, like your Social Security number, physical address, and age. The geolocation software also installed will prevent you from using the sportsbooks outside of Arizona state lines.

Account Funding And Wagering

Once that’s done, players will be able to fund their accounts using a variety of methods, including debit or credit card transfers, direct bank account transfers, and PayPal or other electronic wallet transfers. Players would be wise to take advantage of any opening or starting bonuses provided by the sportsbook they download.

Once a bettor has deposited funds, they’ll be able to wager whenever and wherever they like! Although it will also be possible to bet in person at retail sportsbooks located throughout the state, often bonus offers for new bettors are not available at retail locations. Instead, they must be claimed through the sports betting app.

Arizona Legal Sportsbooks

Before the legalization of sports betting in Arizona, sports fans often took advantage of offshore or illegal betting sites. We don’t recommend the use of any offshore betting site for a variety of reasons.

Simply put, legal sportsbooks have a lot of advantages over illegal betting sites. They feature much better digital security, which protects your personal information and your winnings from being stolen by cybercriminals.

Furthermore, legal sportsbooks provide much more player-friendly and enjoyable odds, so each wager you place will be fairer overall, no matter whether you like to bet on the favorite or underdog.

Lastly, offshore and illegal betting sites aren’t accountable to anyone. So you won’t be able to pursue a legal resolution if your winnings are stolen or if you suspect your personal information was used for identity theft. In contrast, any legal betting sites in Arizona will be regulated by at least one authoritative body. So, they will be investigated before receiving licensure to ensure they will be fair and secure. Plus, if you ever have an issue, you can ask the authoritative body to intervene and resolve the dispute.

All in all, legal sportsbooks are the way to go – you should never spend your money at an offshore site, even if it takes a while for legal sports betting to come to your state.

Arizona Sports Betting Revenue

To say that Arizona’s sports betting numbers have been impressive would be quite the understatement. Indeed, the Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) reported that over $777.3 was bet in Arizona in the first 53 days after sports betting launched in the state in September 2021. This shattered the previous record for a state’s first two months, more than doubling Virginia’s previous record.

Arizona became the 11th state to surpass $1 billion in handle for 2022 with sports betting in February coming in at nearly $492 million, according to the latest report by the Arizona Department of Gaming.

The State of Arizona collects a 10% tax rate from mobile sportsbooks and 8% from retail sportsbooks.  To date, sports betting has led to almost $8 million in tax revenue for the state, including over $1.9 million in January 2022 alone.

DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and Caesars Sportsbook are the individual operators with the highest market share in Arizona.

How Arizona Compares To Other States

Arizona is primed to be one of the leading sports betting states in the country, as its early results already show.  In part, this is because of its large, sports-hungry population.

Arizona is the 14th-most populous state in the US, and it features the fifth-biggest city, Phoenix. Arizona’s capital contains teams in the 4 largest American sports leagues. The TPC at Scottsdale hosts the PGA‘s Waste Management Phoenix Open every year and sometimes other tournaments as well. The Phoenix Raceway also hosts many marquee races, including the NASCAR Cup Championship.

Arizona’s sports betting success is also due in part to the fact that many of its neighbors do not offer mobile wagering on games.  Of course, Nevada does, but no other neighboring states allow mobile sports betting. (Colorado has a robust sports betting scene, but it is technically does not share a border with Arizona.)  Residents of Caifornia, Utah, and New Mexico–especially residents who live in border towns–might head across the border in order to place a wager.

Arizona’s retail gaming scene is pretty similar to many other states. 23 Native American casinos are scattered throughout the state. 

Arizona Betting Successes And Failures

Arizona Sports Betting Success

Even before sports betting launched in Arizona, some successes were evident. First off, the Arizona Gaming Compact and companion sports betting bill permitted both in-person retail sports betting and mobile betting. As for mobile betting, the law permitted up to 20 sports betting apps to be licensed, with the possibility of some licenses being able to request permission to operate a second app. This puts Arizona more in line with Colorado and Virginia, which both have multiple betting apps, than Oregon, which restricts bettors to only one app.

Further, by permitting sports betting companies to partner with local professional teams, such as the Cardinals and Suns, it encourages a nexus between sports betting and die-hard sports fans. Arizona is one of the first states to allow this kind of partnership, one that has also been contemplated in states like Texas.

Also, Arizona’s state legislature moved relatively quickly on legal sports betting and DFS, both in terms of passing the legislation and then setting up regulations and procedures. This is much better than states which are only slowly making progress (such as Ohio).

Finally, since many Arizona sports fans love their college athletics, the fact that the Arizona legislation does not prohibit betting on college contests is a huge plus that gives the Copper State an advantage over many others.

How Could Arizona Improve Online Gambling?

Arizona could build off its success legalizing sports betting by offering expanded gambling options like online casino games. This would put it ahead of states that offer only sports betting including Colorado, Virginia, and  Tennessee.

Arizona may change its tune once sports betting launches and proves its economic worth. Even state senators and representatives who are opposed to online gambling may decide that the increased state revenue that online casino games drive in legal states like Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania can only be a boon for the Grand Canyon State.

Legalization Efforts In Arizona

The sports betting legalization effort in Arizona began in earnest in early 2020, when the earlier pair of current House and Senate bills were floated around. However, COVID-19 and the various strains it brought on the state government stalled discussions about these bills until the latter half of 2020.

Fortunately, even though discussion stalled for a time, Gov. Doug Ducey and other state lawmakers pushed so that the bills could be reviewed and revised for further developments. Indeed, the early months of 2021 saw a new pair of joint proposals in the House and Senate titled HB 2772 and SB 1797, which were essentially revisions to the earlier bills.

Both the House and Senate passed the bill in April 2021. Governor Ducey signed the reconciled HB 2772 on April 15.

Under the bill:

• Commercial operators, including Arizona professional sports teams and facilities that host PGA tournaments or NASCAR races can apply for one of 10 mobile betting licenses. They can also apply for a license to operate a retail sportsbook at their facility or complex or within 5 blocks of their facility or complex.
• Tribal entities can apply for one of 10 additional mobile betting licenses (for a total of 20 available mobile betting licenses). These are mobile-only licenses that permit the tribes to accept wagers statewide through a sports betting site or app. In addition, under the Arizona Gaming Compact, a separate agreement between the tribes and the state, tribes can offer in-person sports betting at casinos or through retail sportsbooks on their lands.

Timeline Of Arizona Sports Betting

• 2020 – SB 2813 and SB 1525, the first major bills to be discussed for legal and online sports betting, are introduced to the Arizona legislature.
• Feb 9, 2021 – HB 2772 and SB 1797 are introduced to the Arizona House and Senate. The House Commerce Committee advances its bill.
• Feb 16, 2021 – The Senate Commerce Committee advances its version of the bill as well, leading to the Senate Appropriation’s Committee.
• Mar 4, 2021 – The Arizona House of Representatives passes its full sports betting legalization bill. The Senate version of the bill is delayed due to discussions surrounding horse race betting.
• Apr 12, 2021 – Arizona Senate passes the bill with a supermajority of 23-6-1. 
• Apr 15, 2021 – Gov. Ducey signs the bill at a ceremony surrounded by representatives from more than a dozen tribes. 
• August 28, 2021 – DFS apps launch in Arizona. 
• September 9, 2021 – The first mobile sports betting apps launch in Arizona, just in time for NFL Week 1.
• January 5, 2022 – Arizona bettors set a national record by wagering more than $777.3 million in the first 53 days after the state’s launch.

Arizona Teams

The legislative momentum behind Arizona sports betting legalization is due, in part, to the support of professional sports teams. Many Arizona pro sports teams are behind sports betting legalization, which makes sense given that the state is home to MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL teams.

Arizona Professional Sports Teams

Arizona residents are huge sports fans due to the presence of several successful major league teams. These include the Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB), Arizona Cardinals (NFL), Arizona Coyotes (NHL), and Phoenix Suns (NBA). Sportsbooks that operate in this state allow sports fans to place bets on their hometown teams and will often offer special promos when those teams are playing.

Arizona College Sports Teams

Additionally, Arizona is home to a variety of important college teams. The Arizona Wildcats and Arizona State Sun Devils are two Power 5 teams with significant fan followings of their own. Grand Canyon and Northern Arizona are two more Division I schools.

Arizona’s rules do allow for betting on college sports. This is great news for fans because many other states, such as New Jersey, do not let people wager on college contests.

The only restriction on college betting is that you cannot place a prop bet on individual performances from college athletes. For example, you cannot bet for a college basketball player to score over or under 14.5 points. This is a fairly common restriction among states.

Other Sports To Bet On In Arizona

Arizona sportsbooks also provide other betting markets for more niche activities, including NASCAR, darts, rugby, and MMA fighting or UFC fighting. UFC fighting in particular is popular in Arizona, although not nearly as much as football and basketball.

Still, the bigger sportsbook operators will have a plethora of wagering activities for anyone who wants to partake.

Arizona Sports Betting FAQs

More Resources On Arizona’s Sports Betting

• Statistics for Nevada’s sports betting revenue used to estimate Arizona’s
• House version of the sports betting bill 
• Senate version of the sports betting bill