New bill would authorise sports betting in Arizona
The Grand Canyon State could become the fifth one in the US to offer sports betting.
US.- Three Republican state lawmakers introduced last week a bill that would allow recognised tribes in the state with a gaming compact to run sports betting operations. Arizona would become the fifth state in the US to legalise the gambling modality.
The bill would authorise the tribes to offer electronic sports betting kiosks off reservations in facilities like bars, stadiums and clubs. While the existing law sets maximum number of betting machines that each tribe can operate, the new bill would not expand that number.
”This is a great way for the state to get more revenue,” said Senator Sonny Borrelli, one of the sponsors of the bill. Borelli added that the legislative piece establishes that bets placed within casinos would be subject to an 8.5% revenue sharing agreement in the gaming compact, while bets at off-site kiosks would be taxed at 6.75% of adjusted gross receipts.
The bill also includes an emergency clause that sets that if it gains passage, it would immediately do into effect once signed by the governor. Borelli is hoping that Arizona could have sports betting operating in time for spring.
