Arizona bill proposes sports betting online and at tribal casinos

The new bill follows Governor Doug Ducey’s public endorsement of sports betting in the state.

US.- A proposal introduced to the Arizona House would permit betting on professional and college sports at tribal casinos as well as online.

House Bill 2772, introduced by Republican representative Jeff Weninger, has nine sponsors.

A proposal has been expected since Governor Doug Ducey outlined his intentions to legalise sports betting in a document sent to state lawmakers earlier this month.

Weninger’s bill would also include fantasy sports wagering and limited keno games at off-track betting locations and social clubs.

The Arizona Department of Gaming would determine licensing fees, renewal rates, and the tax rate levied on gross gaming revenue from sports betting.

States in which mobile sports betting is legal, such as Indiana and Rhode Island, have seen huge increases in revenues over the course of the Covid-19 pandemic.

New tribal gaming compacts

The state is set to negotiate new gaming compacts with the 16 tribes in Arizona.

In exchange for allowing sports teams and leagues to offer sports betting, the tribes would be permitted to offer new table games including craps and baccarat. They will also be permitted to build new casinos on their land.

Tribes would also be awarded 10 licences and could run sportsbooks at two dozen tribal casinos in the state.

Both the legislation and 20-year extension of the tribal gaming compacts must be adopted before the gambling expansion comes into effect.