Hopes that a sports betting bill would pass in Arizona, which once looked bright, have dimmed, and are unlikely in this calendar year unless there a special session of the legislature.
Initially, SB 1158 had strong tribal casino support. It would have given gaming tribes exclusivity although tribal-backed kiosks could be located at retail operations and fraternal clubs. Most tribes support tethering any sports book activity to a brick and mortar casino. The bill’s author was able to get it read twice at the beginning of the year, but once it was remanded to committee, it stayed there.
As the year progressed, only the Navajo Nation continued to support SB 1158. That’s possibly because the state’s largest tribe has financial problems and sees sports betting as one way to offset that.
All 24 casinos in Arizona are operated by 16 gaming tribes. So although nonprofits like the Elks and American Legion are interested in participating, they will likely be elbowed aside.
Larry Jackson, vice chairman of the Yavapai Apache Nation, said, “We are opposed to the expansion of gaming in bars and restaurants. Such a result would not only hurt the nation’s on-reservation casinos but is a drastic change in Arizona gaming policy which Arizonans do not support.”
If enacted, the bill would add sports betting to initial compacts without requiring them to be renegotiated.
At this point the bill is still alive, but without the tribes’ support, may be considered on life support.
