The Arizona House has begun considering a deal that would allow sports betting at tribal casinos and site owned by pro sports teams. The deal was negotiated with Arizona’s tribes by Governor Doug Ducey.
Online bets, wagers on fantasy sports and some Keno at off-track betting locations and social clubs would also be allowed.
It updates the existing tribal state gaming compacts with Arizona’s tribes while extending them for another 20 years. Ducey first alluded to it during his state of the state address when he announced, “an opportunity for a modernized gaming compact that will bring in more revenue for our tribal nations and our state budget.”
What makes this different sports from betting legislation in other states is the section allowing teams such as the Arizona Diamondbacks to operate sportsbook retail at their arenas, online and for a quarter mile around. Ten such licenses would be issue and could include professional golf or NASCAR.
Tribes would get 10 such licenses and each of the two dozen tribal casinos could also offer sportsbooks.
The deal Ducey reached also allows the tribes to build new casinos and to add new table games such as baccarat and craps.
Senator T.J. Shope, a sponsor of one of the bills, told Arizona Capitol Times that expanding gaming would give fans something to do after watching spring training or golf.
“For that person that is interested in doing something in the afternoon and evening when the ballgame’s over, they’re going to be able to go ahead and have that option,” he said.
On sports betting Shope said, “The ease of being able to do it by phone is something that is definitely a desire from I think the average person that does this sort of stuff.”
He also defends the provisions that would benefit social clubs and service organizations, whose memberships are declining as younger generations choose not to join them.
“That’s why you see memberships in all these groups dwindling,” he said. Shope said he’s willing to help out—and give them the exclusive right to make money off of keno—because “they do a lot of good for the community.”
