Arizona's regulator sets timelines to roll out sports betting, expanded gambling

The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) has begun drafting rules and setting up timelines to roll out recently legalized sports betting and other new forms of gambling in the state.

Gov. Doug Ducey signed a historic bill on April 15, legalizing sports betting in Arizona. The measure also adds additional types of table games at tribal casinos, and for the first time, it would allow sports betting under licenses issued to tribes and pro sports teams. It will also allow gambling on fantasy sports and new Keno games at horse race tracks and fraternal organizations.

The passage of the legislation was tied to the updated gaming compact Ducey struck with tribes, which was kept secret until compact documents were made public. The updated compact will allow as many as four new casinos in the metro Phoenix area, although only two are likely to be built anytime soon, according to the compact documents.

The ADG will act as the primary regulator and enforcement body for fantasy sports contests and event wagering. While ADG has already begun drafting rules for the new forms of legalized games, there are several steps the rules and associated amended compacts will have to go through in order to become operational.

“I am excited to see House Bill 2772 pass through the legislature and signed by Governor Ducey,” Ted Vogt, Director of the ADG, said in a press release. “The Department is already hard at work drafting rules and procedures to ensure the safety and security of the Arizona betting public as we look towards implementing event and fantasy sports wagering in the months ahead.”

The department has posted two tentative timelines on its website. As for the amended compacts wih tribes,they were submitted to the Office of Indian Gaming on April 16, which has 45 days to approve them. Next, compacts would be submitted to Federal Register, which has 90 days to officially publish the compacts and make them operational in Arizona.

In addition, ADG has a 60-day statutory requirement to draft rules for fantasy sports contests & event wagering. When this is complete, public comment period begins, followed by ADG's amendment period. The regulator would then file amended rules as necessary, and set an operational start date.