Under legislation in the Arizona House Commerce Committee, sports betting would be retail only, with no online or mobile component. Still, the Arizona Indian Gaming Association opposes the bill, making passage problematic. Also unclear is how the bill would mesh with existing Indian gaming compacts.
The proposed bill would require the Arizona Department of Gaming to adopt rules to allow historic racing to be conducted as regulated gambling at racetrack enclosures and additional wagering facilities. Historic racing establishes pari-mutuel pools from wagers placed on previously conducted races.
Additionally, the bill would require the Department of Gaming adopt rules to permit sports betting to be conducted as regulated gambling at racetracks and casinos. It would also allow an Indian tribe to operate sports betting through a tribal gaming operator. There are 22 federally recognized tribes in the state.
The bill is being pushed by state Rep. Steve Pierce, the primary sponsor, and state Sen. Sonny Borrelli, the co-sponsor. The two lawmakers are also sponsors of a corresponding Senate Bill 1525.
That legislation hasn’t had a hearing.
Another bill, Senate Concurrent Resolution 1033, talks about a referendum for sports wagering.
