Arizona Sports Betting: Best AZ Online Sportsbook Sites April 2024

Is sports betting legal in Arizona?

Sports betting became legal in Arizona after Gov. Doug Ducey signed HB 2772 in April 2021 and made it law. This paved the way for launching online and retail sports betting later that year.

AZ sports betting key developments and updates

Arizona sports betting quick facts

Arizona sports betting promos and bonuses

The 2022 betting handle in Arizona eclipsed $6 billion, and competition to earn your business is fierce. Operators are trying to reach new players by offering lucrative and generous welcome bonuses for AZ bettors. These promotions come in several forms: From deposit matches to bonus bets and first bet insurance, where the risk comes off the table on your first wager.

The two most valuable bonuses offered by Arizona sports betting apps right now are BetMGM's up to $1,500 in bonus bets and Caesars' $1,000 first bet offer.

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER

As great as welcome bonuses are for new players, veteran bettors can still cash in via regular promotions and loyalty reward programs. Caesars Rewards are the best in class, but you can also try boosted odds, reduced juice (vig), and same-game parlay bonus boosts.

Top Arizona betting sites

All Arizona betting sites offer strong welcome bonuses to attract new players. However, sportsbooks in Arizona also need a solid reputation to keep their customers happy. The competition is why app store ratings are so important and why operators work hard to brand their products with “best known for” marketing spots like BetMGM’s “King of Parlays.”

Why FanDuel is the best sportsbook in Arizona 🔵

FanDuel continues to throw haymakers at rival DraftKings as an industry leader in the legal sports betting space. Its app ratings on Apple and Android devices are slightly better than those of DK, but work still needs to be done. FanDuel offers live streaming of select events, an expansive array of domestic and international betting markets, and ongoing promotions that keep players returning for more. You won't even need a FanDuel promo code to qualify for them.

Plus, its customer support squad is second-to-none. You can’t go wrong signing up with FanDuel as your go-to Arizona sports betting app. Check out our detailed FanDuel review for more information. 

Other Arizona online sportsbooks and sports betting apps

Caesars Arizona 🏛

The cagey veteran of the Las Vegas betting scene has enjoyed a solid start to their legal mobile sports betting rollout. Caesars is consistently ranked within the top three operators in each state it is present. It offers a stellar welcome bonus of up to a $1,000 first bet — use the Caesars Sportsbook promo code SBRBONUS1000 when prompted.

Their app ratings are strong, and the payout schedule is faster than the industry average. The cherry on top is that Caesars offers mobile betting participants the same rewards bonuses enjoyed by those who visit their retail, land-based locations. Bettors can cash in these awards for VIP experiences and more.

Where to bet on sports in Arizona: Caesars review

DraftKings Arizona 👑

DraftKings may have started as the go-to site for daily fantasy sports. Still, it has evolved into a sports betting juggernaut that can offer new players quality bonuses, the best user experience, an easy-to-reach customer service team, and uber-quick payouts. It’s no wonder its app ratings are among the top three. Plus, you don't need a DraftKings promo code to unlock its welcome offer, either.

Our FanDuel vs. DraftKings page breaks down how two of the best in the business stack up against each other.

Where to bet on sports in Arizona: DraftKings review

BetMGM Arizona 🦁

The self-proclaimed “King of Parlays” continues to make waves in the sports betting space years after cutting its teeth in the desert of Nevada. Right now, new players can earn up to $1,500 in bonus bets. Just use the BetMGM bonus code SBRBONUS when you sign up to activate the offer. 

Both Apple and Android users rate the app among the industry’s best. Considering the welcome bonus, ongoing promotions, and exclusive loyalty rewards only BetMGM can offer, it’s no surprise they’re a perennial power.

Where to bet on sports in Arizona: BetMGM review

BetRivers Arizona ⚡

Though it doesn’t pay up for heavy television and radio commercial air time, BetRivers is always lurking in the background as a dark horse candidate for best online sportsbook operator in every state where it’s licensed. Its parent company, Rush Street Interactive, is often awarded by the global gaming community as an industry leader. They take home the gaming hardware for their mantle, and BetRivers pumps out a quality sportsbook and sports betting app experience.

You can take advantage of a generous welcome offer by using the BetRivers promo code SBRBONUS when registering your account.  

Where to bet on sports in Arizona: BetRivers review

Arizona sportsbooks honorable mentions

While these operators didn’t crack the top five of best Arizona online sportsbooks, each has something to offer new players: substantial welcome bonuses, positive user experience, and a wide range of betting markets.

• Bally Bet
• Betfred
• Betway
• Desert Diamond
• ESPN BET
• Fanatics
• Golden Nugget
• Hard Rock
• SaharaBets
• SuperBook

How we rate and review Arizona sportsbooks

Sportsbook Review’s editorial team takes great pride in its independent and thorough reviews of the best Arizona sportsbooks. We want every person interested in online sports betting, and sports betting apps to have the latest information about each operator, but do focus our attention and energy on the six categories below when generating our custom ratings.

Welcome bonuses and promotions

You only get one shot to make a first impression. So, Arizona mobile sportsbook operators are trying to attract new players by enticing them with huge welcome bonuses valued at hundreds and thousands of dollars. You need to realize that several of these sign-up offers require a first bet to lose before any welcome bonus monies make their way to your account wallet. So, don’t overlook the strength of ongoing promotions at the sportsbook you like best.

Once the welcome bonus buzz has worn off, ask yourself what I get for being a loyal customer of this sportsbook. Are there boosted odds, reduced juice (vig), reward points, and VIP experiences? These are all valid questions when wagering your own money on their platform. Do not settle; welcome bonuses are excellent, but so are ongoing promotions every day, week, and month.

User experience

What we here at SBR consider a positive user experience and what you think a positive user experience may be two different things. So, keep this in mind when reading about user experiences at Arizona online sportsbooks:

• How easy is it to sign up?
• Do they offer a solid welcome bonus?
• Is there a banking method I need for deposits and withdrawals?
• Does the sports betting app hang or crash too often?
• Is it easy to navigate the site and app from the different betting market to betting market?
• Can I get in touch with customer service on my time?
• How long do I have to wait for a withdrawal?

Sports bet variety

After the shine has worn off a fresh, new online sportsbook right out of the pack, seasoned players may want to spread their wings away from the day-to-day NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL moneylines, point spreads, and point totals odds. So, Arizona sportsbooks must offer a wide range of betting markets like UFC events, PGA golf tournaments, European soccer matches, and tennis majors. Remember, you can also wager on in-state collegiate athletic events. So, when Arizona faces Arizona State in college football, alums can earn bragging rights and a little extra cash.

Banking options

SBR’s editorial team thoroughly reviews each operator’s accepted banking methods for safety, quality, and efficiency. Most Arizona sportsbooks accept major credit and debit cards, ACH bank wire transfers, third-party banking authorities like Paypal, and various e-wallet options.

Payout speed

Checking how long an Arizona sportsbook takes to process a withdrawal and issue a payout is a priority for many novice players. They don’t want to wait more than a week for their profits to hit their accounts. So, SBR’s editorial team details the average time each operator takes to process payouts. Just remember, if it’s not a digital withdrawal and you want a paper check mailed to your residence, it could take up to 15 business days.

Security and customer support

We only recommend online sportsbooks and sports betting apps that use encryption software as a firewall to protect your personal and financial data. The Arizona Department of Gaming constantly checks in on each operator to ensure they keep up with safeguard measures to protect the player over their profits.

Should you ever have a question and need immediate assistance, we rank and rate Arizona online sportsbooks on the accessibility of their customer support team. At this point, each should offer CS via phone, email, and live chat options.

How to start betting in Arizona

Over the past few years, as more states have embraced legal online sports betting, the sign-up process has become more accessible and easier for even the most novice bettor. So, for those Arizona players interested in wagering on the Phoenix Suns NBA Championship aspirations, Diamondbacks Over/Under win totals, or even Arizona Wildcats odds to win the Pac 12, this how-to-start betting guide can be explained in just a few steps.

1. Select a sportsbook licensed in Arizona

Before you select a licensed Arizona online sportsbook or sports betting app, read through all the reviews SBR’s team of experts published. This guide will help you learn about the best welcome bonuses each operator offers, the types of bets, the banking methods accepted, and access to customer support.

Once you’ve found a favorite online sports betting app, download it to your smart device.

2. Register online

Fire open the app on your iOS or Android device to begin registration. This process should take less than five minutes to complete. The operator will require basic personal information like your full name, home address, email address, date of birth, and social security number. The social security number helps aid in identification and age verification and allows your payouts to be expedited. It also cracks down on multiple fraudulent accounts that bad-faith actors can open in your name.

The operator will likely send you an email to activate your account. Once that’s complete, you’ll create a unique username and password. Online sportsbooks and sports betting apps passwords should combine uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. The longer the password, the stronger, but make it at least eight characters.

3. Deposit and claim a bonus

New Arizona players will now head to the operator’s cashier page to sync their preferred banking method with their account. Most mobile sportsbooks in Arizona accept deposits via credit card, debit card, ACH bank wire, and Paypal. Ensure your preferred banking method is taken before registering for a new account.

After your bank is linked to your new account, you’ll want to make a first deposit. This step is also where you’ll cash in on welcome bonuses offered to new players. Arizona bettors will want to ensure they have any required promo codes handy. You don’t want to make a first deposit and miss out on bonus money because you forgot to type in the promo code.

4. Select and finalize your bet

So, you’ve registered a new account, created a strong password, synced your bank with your account, made a first deposit, and redeemed your welcome bonus. Now, it’s time to go odds shopping. Navigate all the different sports betting markets Arizona sportsbooks offer and find an event you’d like to wager on. Remember, all four major leagues are available – NFL, MLB, NBA, & NHL. However, you can also wager on UFC pay-per-view events, boxing matches, PGA golf tournaments, and international tennis majors.

Additionally, there is more to sports betting than moneylines, point spreads, and point totals. Modern sportsbooks offer live in-game betting after the event starts, parlays, teasers, round robins, and same-game parlays that allow you to stack multiple player props on the same bet slip.

Once you’re ready to wager, submit your bet slip.

5. Win and withdraw your payout

Boom! Your first wager was a winner, and you’re ready to cash out and spend some of your winnings on a weekend getaway to Sedona.

You’ll return to the account cashier’s page and request a withdrawal. Most payouts take less than five business days to complete. However, if you choose a paper check to be mailed to your home address, that can take up to 15 business days. The preferred method is a bank wire transfer or deposit into a third-party wallet like Paypal.

Arizona sports betting handle

For the first time since sports betting became legal in 2021, the Grand Canyon State’s handle eclipsed $600 million in back-to-back months. With the NFL regular season humming along and the injection of college basketball, Arizona’s handles were $618.6 million and $616.9 million. Assuming the handle is over $600 million in December, the state will boast a 2022 handle of more than $6 billion for the year.

Remember, this is a prequel to January and February in the weeks leading up to Super Bowl 57, which State Farm Stadium hosted in Glendale, Arizona. We’ll all wait with bated breath for the February 2023 handle to be announced by the Department of Gaming.

2023 Arizona handle

2024 Arizona handle

Arizona sports leagues and teams to bet on

The blockbuster trade that brought Kevin Durant to the Phoenix Suns at the NBA deadline has the state in an uproar, and many bettors are eager to wager on the Suns to win the 2023 NBA Finals. Online sportsbooks and retail locations allow players to wager on the big four professional leagues. If you want to bet that Kyler Murray wins Comeback Player of the Year in 2023 or the Diamondbacks shock the world and win the National League West, you can.

Arizona Cardinals 🏈

The Arizona Cardinals are the premiere sporting attraction in the Grand Canyon State. Unfortunately for AZ football fans, there hasn't been a lot to cheer about. They have a couple of pre-merger championships, but those are 80+ years old now. They went to a single Super Bowl in the 2008 season but lost to the Steelers.

Nonetheless, the Cardinals attract plenty of betting attention since the NFL generally rules the sports wagering industry in North America. Whether you want to bet on the Cardinals to win more than 8.5 games next season or just hope they beat the point spread on Thursday Night Football, the best AZ sportsbooks have you covered.

Phoenix Suns 🏀

The Phoenix Suns have boasted some of the NBA's greatest players, including Charles Barkley, Steve Nash, Devin Booker, Chris Paul, and even Kevin Durant. Unfortunately, all that talent hasn't translated into titles. The Suns have been Western Conference champs on three separate occasions — in 1976, 1993, and 2021 — but fell short in the NBA finals each time.

Arizona bettors can make any number of standard or creative wagers on Suns action. Live-betting now lets you predict which team will score the next point or whether the next bucket will be a dunk, three-pointer, or free throw.

Arizona Diamondbacks ⚾

Major League Baseball expanded into the desert in 1998, adding the Arizona Diamondbacks to the National League. They actually got off to a hot start, winning division titles in 1999 and 2001 and then winning the 2001 World Series in just their fourth season in existence. They remain the only men's professional team from Arizona to win a championship.

Unfortunately, the D-Backs are in a tough division with the Dodgers, Padres, and Giants. Making the postseason has been difficult in recent years, but AZ baseball fans hope the recent expansion of the Wild Card will help the Diamondbacks play October baseball more regularly. 

Arizona Coyotes 🏒

The Arizona Coyotes relocated to Phoenix in 1996, much to the dismay of hockey fans in Winnipeg, Canada, where the franchise used to play. It was part of NHL commissioner Gary Bettman's mission to expand the game of hockey into the Sunbelt. Critics would argue putting an ice hockey team in the middle of the desert was a mistake. 

The team declared bankruptcy in 2009, which saw the league take over the team temporarily. There have been constant issues with their home arena and are currently playing home games in a 5000-seat arena on the Arizona State University campus. They've never even played in the Stanley Cup finals, let alone lifted hockey's Holy Grail.

Other AZ sports ⛳

WNBA fans will also be happy to know betting markets will be available for the Phoenix Mercury once that season tips off. Some books will even offer odds on Phoenix Rising FC, the state's USL Championship soccer team. All 16 operators offer betting odds on European soccer leagues, UFC, elite boxing events, and PGA golf tournaments.

Sports bettors can check out the top sportsbooks for specific sports, leagues, playoffs, and categories:

Legal sports betting and regulations in Arizona

Arizona did offer 18 online sportsbooks and sports betting apps, but once Fubo, WynnBET, and Unibet shuttered, the Grand Canyon State was left with 16 delicious choices. More than a half dozen operators launched on opening day in September of 2021, which just happened to be the start of the NFL regular season that year.

Here are a list of the books currently operating in Arizona:

Arizona’s online and mobile sportsbooks

Land-based Arizona sportsbooks

As you can see below, some big brands are maximizing their three retail “skins” at various sportsbooks around Arizona. BetMGM and Caesars Sportsbook are entrenched in the state’s sports betting scene on land and via mobile devices. DraftKings is scheduled to “skin” retail sportsbooks here in 2023 or early 2024.

Who can bet on sports in Arizona?

Legal age 🎂

You must be at least 21 to wager on Arizona sports. This rule is why operators require social security numbers at the time of sign-up to verify identities and ages.

Mobile betting 📱

Mobile betting became legal in Arizona at the same time as retail, land-based sportsbooks became legal in September 2021.

Remote registration 💻

Those interested in betting on sports in Arizona can register remotely for their preferred online sportsbook or downloadable sports betting app. You do NOT have to visit a physical sportsbook to register for a sportsbook account.

Within state borders 🌎

You do not need to live in Arizona full-time to wager at online sportsbooks or sports betting apps. The operators require your computer or smart device to be located within state borders at the time of registration, log-in, and when placing a bet, however. These sportsbooks use geolocation software to determine where you are using their products. If you’re outside Arizona state borders, you can’t bet.

Retail sportsbooks 🏢

There are 13 land-based retail sportsbooks in Arizona, with up to two more planned for the near future carrying the DraftKings skin. In addition to inside tribal casinos, you can find sportsbooks at pro stadiums like the Diamondbacks Chase Field.

Taxable winnings 💸

Arizona’s sports betting taxes are marginal and depend on how much you win in profits. This range can be from 2.59% to 4.5%. You will also need to cut a percentage of your winnings over $600 to Uncle Sam at a federal tax rate of 24%. Remember, you can write off your losses; only profits over $600 are taxed. Keep good records of your betting activity.

What you can’t bet on in Arizona

Legal Arizona online sportsbooks and sports betting apps offer various betting markets in the NFL, MLB, NBA, and MLB and feature live in-game betting, same-game parlays, and unique player prop bets. However, there are some events that you can’t bet on in Arizona currently.

Politics ❌

With politics front and center in Arizona, some may be interested in wagering on the next governor or Senator. However, like in every state where sports betting is legal, it is illegal to wager on political events like the 2024 U.S. presidential election or debate prop betting markets.

Entertainment Award Ceremonies ❌

Betting on major award shows like the Oscars, Grammys, or Emmys is illegal in Arizona. This rule likely also applies to NFL Draft type events where the odds are typically available for Who will the No. 1 Draft Pick be and over-under X-number of wide receivers drafted in the first round.

Esports ❌

Betting on eSports in Arizona is not allowed at this time. So, betting on video game tournaments like League of Legends, Fortnight, or Madden has yet to be legal. With the popularity of eSports only gaining steam, this may change in Arizona and around the United States.

What about Arizona College Sports? 🎓

Betting on college sports is legal in Arizona. Betting on in-state Arizona colleges and university sports is legal, too. So, you can wager on Arizona Wildcats, Arizona State Sun Devils, and more. It is illegal, however, to wager on college player prop bet odds, and you will not find these available on the 15 online sportsbooks available to Arizona bettors.

Responsible sports betting in Arizona

The Arizona Department of Gaming is the regulatory body overseeing sports betting oversight. Their mission is to “ethically and effectively regulate gaming, event wagering, and fantasy sports contests, horse racing and unarmed combat sports” while noting that responsible gaming is a primary priority. The ADOG is in charge of reviewing online sportsbook applications, issuing licenses, providing regular audits, and ensuring operators’ compliance will all checks and balances set forth by their department.

Interested sportsbook operators must pay $100,000 to apply and $750,000 if granted a license. The ADOG comes around every year to collect a $150,000 license renewal fee.

The original sports betting law in Arizona allowed for 20 licenses. Ten were to go to retail/mobile operators and professional sports teams, while the other 10 were slated for Native American tribal communities. However, there are more eligible tribes than there are licenses. This rule continues to be a point of contention throughout the Native American community, but one ADOG continues to work through and find the best solution.

Arizona gambling helpline: 1-800-NEXT-STEP

National U.S. gambling helpline: 1-800-GAMBLER

Sportsbooks to avoid in Arizona

Before the United States Supreme Court allowed individual states to determine whether or not to legalize sports betting within their borders, interested players were often forced to seek out offshore and illegal betting operators. These online sportsbooks were typically unregulated or didn’t endure strict oversight and regulation like the ones in the U.S., whose purpose is to protect the player’s personal and financial data and ensure operators provide fair play guidelines.

You can check out all our blacklisted sportsbooks, but here are three examples of why BetOnSports, TopBet, and 131Sport are sports betting operators to avoid and stick with the list of Arizona online sportsbooks listed at the top of this page.

Growth of sports betting 📈

When the U.S. Supreme Court repealed PASPA in 2018, the growth of legal sports betting in the United States skyrocketed. Close to three dozen states have since legalized some form of sports betting, with the most common legislation including the licensing of online sportsbooks and mobile betting apps. Check our legal sports betting tracker to find out more about any state you're interested in. 

Over the past two years, large states like Ohio and Massachusetts have enjoyed massively successful online betting launches. Sports fans get an extra way to engage with their favorite teams, and the states earn plenty of much-needed revenue from licensing fees and taxes.

Most recently, legal North Carolina sports betting arrived on March 11, 2024, bringing eight of the best sportsbooks in the country to the Tar Heel state.