Online Poker Real Money Arizona
Posted : admin On 4/3/2022If you live in Arizona and want to play online poker in a legal manner, you have come to the right place as this site specializes in helping residents find legal sites to play poker online. As you will come to learn, the details assembled here are based on first-hand accounts of using actual poker sites that accept Arizona players. That's because we're as crazy about the game as you are, and therefore LegalPokerArizona.com can be on-point with the same topics & questions that you want to know about.
Most tribal casinos operate full-scale poker rooms that let Arizona residents enjoy legit real money poker at their convenience. The Future Of Regulated Online Gambling In Arizona. There’s a multitude of opposing factors at play when it comes to regulating Internet poker gambling in Arizona. While most of you are probably here looking to play real money online poker in Arizona, we can’t neglect the land-based landscape. Brick and mortar poker rooms in Arizona do deliver a different experience. What Games Can I Play At Arizona Online Poker Rooms? There are several types of USA online poker games that you can find available on these legal offshore sites. Americana, Texas Hold’Em, Omaha, Omaha Hi/Lo, 32 card draw and even 7 or 5 card stud poker are all offered at most poker rooms. You will have access to some of the more exotic poker. Each of these forms can be found under the 'Scheduled Tournament' section in the main lobby of the poker room. The poker site at Bovada is completely legal for those in Arizona of age to cruise the.
Below you will learn about Arizona's laws about online poker and get recommendations for the best poker sites accepting Arizona residents. In the end, we hope to clear up any misconceptions about online poker being illegal in AZ + help residents that want to play online poker find safe online venues to do so.
Is Online Poker Legal In Arizona?
Specialists agree that, since 'offline' poker is legal in Arizona (of course, provided certain conditions are met), it would be insane to put a ban on playing it online. With that said, thousands of Arizona residents take to the web to get their poker fix daily... or nightly, depending on when they play.
And while Arizona doesn't regulate or endorse any online gambling sites, poker included, they have nothing in place that physically stops its citizens from playing online. Anyone in the state has the freedom to choose just about any online poker site they wish and join. Provided that you meet the minimum age to play poker in a land-based venue (21 years in Arizona), you will be allowed at most legal Arizona poker sites (others just require you be 18 years old).
Satisfied? Ready to go ahead and get to the tables? We're getting to that next but we always recommend that anyone that has doubts about the legality of playing poker online for cash in Arizona should consult a paid legal professional trained in the Arizona state statutes.
Legal Online Poker Sites For Arizona Residents
So we have already established that playing poker online in Arizona is perfectly legal. What now, where can you play? We have tested a couple of online poker sites and came up with a few recommendations from the websites that we are willing to trust with our own money. We know that all U.S.A. residents can trust these sites, including those who live in the Grand Canyon State.
Bovada offers Arizona poker players a number of different tournament formats that they can play in, some of which have been recently added. In total, Bovada now has four different types of poker tournaments such as shootout events, knockout / bounty tournaments, and heads-up matches. Each of these forms can be found under the 'Scheduled Tournament' section in the main lobby of the poker room.
The poker site at Bovada is completely legal for those in Arizona of age to cruise the tables. Real cash can be played for and won across several games including Texas Hold'Em, Omaha, + stud games. And it's not just tournaments (like we had talked about above) that players can get in on, as there are many cash tables as well as Sit N Go tourneys that run around the close which give players that much more freedom with how they play.
Poker players living in Arizona have many choices for legal poker rooms that they can join. But, it doesn't get much better than the option available when they go to BetOnline's tables. Their poker software offers an assortment of great features and it's been proven to be fair. After all, what good is having a poker account at a site where you don't trust the results?
One of the most important aspects to an Arizona residents centers around winning real money when you take down that tournament or go on a hot-streak in the ring games. But, it's about receiving that cash because you can't simply go to the casino cage or wherever to claim your prize... a site must have easy + quick withdrawal options. BetOnline offers a smooth transition when you go to withdraw your money from the account on site, to you. This can be done with numerous varieties of checks (depending on how fast you need your money), using wire transfers like Western Union + MoneyGram, but they can also send money back to your bank account with an ACH transfer. So, as you can see Arizona players are well covered when it comes to getting paid here.
SportsBetting.ag claims that no other site does poker better them. Certainly they are telling the prospective player this to entice them, but upon further review of the site, there is a legitimate argument to be made for that. Those living in Arizona interested in playing poker online should definitely visit SportsBetting.ag when trying to settle on a legal poker room that fits your needs.
The poker site at SportsBetting.ag will give those with accounts a great experience. Any type of online poker game they are looking for, whether it's sitting at a table or playing in a tournament, they will be able to do so. Huge bonuses, easy deposit methods, and fast payouts await those players who choose SportsBetting.ag.
More About The Legality Of Playing Online Poker For Money In Arizona
Wanting to know more about the laws and gambling regulations in Arizona? We've assembled that information for you below as it relates to state and federal gaming laws. Also included is a brief update on where the state stands in the movement to regulate and have legalized gaming in Arizona.
Gambling laws in Arizona are fairly permissive – amusement and social gambling are allowed, as well as all forms of regulated gambling. In other words, you are allowed to play poker with your friends, in the comfort of your home, in an organized venue such as a casino, as well as at a state, country or district fair that complies with local regulations. There are no laws against online poker in Arizona.
A common misinterpretation regarding the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) is that online poker is illegal. This is as far from the truth as possible – the law doesn't ban online gambling in any way, it only restricts financial institutions from wiring money to gambling venues. It doesn't, in any way, prohibit players from playing games of luck or skill, but rather puts a ban on certain financial transactions. It's a law that applies to banks and casino operators and not individuals who play poker for fun or profit.
Arizona is in the surrounding region where one of the biggest gambling states in the U.S. and across the world exists. That would be Nevada, its neighbor to the northwest. But when it comes to gambling online in Arizona, in particular poker, there is no legislation that would allow players to do that at a site regulated by the state. With that being said though, there could be several good reasons why Arizona should consider the possibility of pursuing such legislation.
One doesn't need to look any further than the region they are in. If a resident in Arizona wants to gamble, they are going to venture abroad to do so, likely to the neighbors up north in Las Vegas. Should Arizona decide to go with online gambling legislation and have it pass, then you could see an influx in gambling revenue to the stay, as those gamblers in the state opt instead to play from the comfort of their own home by a licensed gaming site by the state.
This is one of the key issues to pay attention to, because at the end of the day, the passing of any type of online gambling legislation where it legalizes it has to do with one thing, and one thing only. That would be money. If Arizona lawmakers think that the potential revenue from online poker positively benefit the state, they should move forward. It's hard to think that it would not. But as it stands now, the only move Arizona might make would be if online gambling was legalized on a national scale.
Is it Legal to play Land Based Poker in Arizona?
It is indeed legal to play poker in the state of Arizona, though it will be limited and regulated to a few select sites throughout the state. Still, if you are looking for tournaments and big poker rooms full of players looking to go toe to toe with other gamblers, you will not be disappointed.
The law officially states that all forms of risking money to gain money is illegal. The only gambling the law officially endorses is “amusement” gambling which basically means poker without actual risks and winnings, just a substitute like chips. Still the state does have contracts and treaties with the tribes in the areas that allow poker within the casinos operated by those tribes.
What this means is that while poker and poker rooms are technically illegal in most of Arizona, the casinos will always have free reign over what they offer. If poker should be played in a poker room outside one of these sanctioned casinos then the penalties can be steep with operation or promotion of these rooms incurring a class 5 felony and just playing at one of these locations resulting in a class 1 misdemeanor. This could result in heavy fines if you just participate in the game. It should also be noted however that the law allows “social” gambling, basically gambling among friends where every player is on equal terms and stands to get no benefit other than the winnings of the game they gambled on.
Legal Land Based Poker Rooms in Arizona
There are many land based poker rooms in Arizona due to the large amount of tribe run casinos. In total there are about 7 different locations for poker players to go to in the state. They are all relatively close to one another, often within an hour or two driving distance. Most often you will be limited to no limit Hold ’em for tournaments and the tournaments are often at specific times in the morning or night meaning those with an inflexible weekly schedule may have difficulty making it to one of these locations.
This leaves the other major option in Arizona as playing games at home with friends. Because Arizona allows social gambling you will never find yourself getting tackled or tear gassed by a strike team for gambling in your home. As long as you are purely playing poker with the only winnings coming from playing the game itself then you have nothing to fear. This also allows you to have more variety in the type of poker you play though winnings may not be as high as at a casino.
So Arizona residents definitely have a lot of options for gambling, though those outside the Tucson area may find they require a longer trip to get to any of the big casinos. In addition the sanctioning of games at home means that poker players aren’t subject to obscure laws or fines that other states could try and force upon a friendly home game if they desired too. All in all Arizona is a great state for playing poker.
Note: This article should in no way be regarded as legal advice about online poker for USA players. We are a group of poker players who wanted to demote some false myths about poker in Arizona being illegal. If you have further concerns, we would strongly advise you to consult with a legal representative.
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Last Updated November 2, 2020
Tourists in Arizona can stand on a unique spot while visiting the state – a spot where the borders of four states collide, meaning you can literally be in all four states at once. When both of your feet are planted on Arizona land, however, you’ll be in a place that takes a complex attitude toward gambling.
In this guide to AZ poker and gambling laws, we’ll talk about legal issues, online poker sites in Arizona and provide some analysis of the future for all types of betting in the Grand Canyon State and whether or not you can play online poker in AZ.
| Type/Code | Summary |
|---|---|
| State Code Section(s) | 13.3301-3312; 5.101-131; 5.401-604 |
| Definition of Gambling | Gambling: One act of risking or giving something of value for the opportunity to obtain a benefit from a game or contest of chance or skill or a future contingent event but does not include bona fide business transactions. |
| Definition of Exception to Gambling Laws | Exception to gambling laws: Skill and not chance is clearly the predominant factor in the game and the odds of winning the game based upon chance cannot be altered, provided the game complies with any licensing or regulatory requirements by the jurisdiction in which it is operated, no benefit for a single win is given to the player or players other than a merchandise prize which has a wholesale fair market value of less than ten dollars or coupons which are redeemable only at the place of play and only for a merchandise prize which has a fair market value of less than ten dollars and, regardless of the number of wins, no aggregate of coupons may be redeemed for a merchandise prize with a wholesale fair market value of greater than five hundred fifty dollars. |
| Online Poker/Gambling | Arizona lawmakers have not considered online poker or gambling legislation, primarily due to the opposition of such internet games by the majority of tribes. |
| Live Poker | Live poker is permitted in Indian-run casinos, via cash games and tournaments. |
| Casinos | Full-fledged casinos are permitted on Indian reservations with slot machines and table games, including poker. |
| Sports Betting | There have been no attempts to legalize sports betting in Arizona. |
| DFS | There was a bill in 2016 to consider daily fantasy sports, but it did not pass and has not been introduced again since then. |
| Other Forms of Gambling | Lottery, bingo, amusement gambling, charitable casino nights, raffles, horse and harness racing, dog racing only if not on the same day as horse racing activities. |
Arizona and Online Poker
Arizona has become a bit of a poker hotbed over the last decade or two, and that interest in poker transitioned online as more and more sites began offering real money poker games in Arizona. That situation continues to this day, with thousands of players from Arizona signing up to play poker online.
AZ gambling law is almost exclusively focused on individuals or organizations that operate or promote illegal gambling. As a result, players face comparatively little risk when engaging in illegal gambling simply as a participant. With that said, Arizona law – like most gambling law – is quite vague and obviously subject to interpretation.
Let’s highlight a few parts of Arizona code that could be relevant to online poker players:
What constitutes gambling in Arizona? From the state code: “Gambling” or
“gamble” means one act of risking or giving something of value for the opportunity to obtain a benefit from a game or contest of chance or skill or a future contingent event” (Section 13-3301)
Players could have some exposure to the charge of
“benefiting from gambling” (class 1 misdemeanor): “Except for amusement or regulated gambling, a person commits benefiting from gambling if he knowingly obtains any benefit from gambling” (Section 13-3304).
There’s also the distant potential that some activity related to playing online poker could be considered “promotion of gambling,” a felony charge. Section 13-3303 covers one who
“Furnishes advice or assistance for the conduct, organization, management, direction, supervision or financing of gambling”.
Arizona does not have a law that specifically outlaws playing poker online, but poker would seem to clearly fall under the definition of “gambling” enshrined in Arizona law.
With legal issues, it is imperative that you educate yourself (you can review the Arizona code directly – just search for “gambling” first. If you have any doubts or questions, or if you are planning on drawing substantial revenue from online gambling, your next step should be to contact a legal professional with a background in gambling or internet gaming. We are only trying to provide you with a starting point for your larger research regarding online gambling and the law in Arizona.
Is It Legal To Play Online Poker in Arizona?
Online poker players who reside in Arizona shouldn’t encounter too many restrictions when it comes to choosing an online poker room. All of the major US-facing online poker rooms accept players from AZ, so getting to play poker online is simply a matter of choosing which room you think will best meet your needs. The story is different in other states – like Washington – but when it comes to Arizona and online poker, players should find relatively few bumps in the road.
Will Arizona Try to Regulate Online Poker?
Our research did not reveal any initiatives related to online poker regulation in Arizona. It’s always possible that the state could come along as other states choose to regulate poker player online, but we do not expect Arizona to be a leader on the issue of regulating online poker. For the time being, players will have to be content with online poker sites that are not directly regulated by the state of Arizona.
Arizona Gambling Facts & Figures
Gambling was a part of Arizona history prior to statehood, but the casinos were shuttered in an effort to win entrance into the union. In the century that followed, Arizona swayed back and forth on the issue of gambling expansion, with some forms winning acceptance (such as charitable gambling and the lottery) and others meeting sustained resistance (such as commercial casinos). Tribal gambling exploded in Arizona during the 1990s, and ignited an extensive legal battle that spanned much of the next decade. The result: Arizona is now home to nearly two dozen casinos offering games that rival the menus of their Las Vegas counterparts.
Regulated Gambling Choices in Arizona
There are a litany of choices for gambling seeking regulated options in Arizona. The primary source of regulated gambling in the state are the 22 tribal casinos spread across Arizona, and you’ll also find a state lottery, horse racing and charitable gambling within Arizona’s borders.
All Poker and Gambling Laws by State
Is Online Poker Legal In Arizona
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The junior Senator from Arizona, Jon Kyl, has been working for some time on a bill to regulate online poker at the federal level. This bill is reportedly being developed by Kyl and Nevada Senator Harry Reid, who has been a long-time proponent of regulating online poker and online gambling.
Arizona Gambling Resources
Online Poker Sites Real Money
Arizona Gaming Summary. Prepared by the UNLV Center for Gaming Research, this brief provides an excellent overview of the commercial gambling industry in the state of Arizona. Those interested in the facts and figures (and the economics) of gambling in Arizona will find a solid starting poker here.
Online Poker Real Money Arizona Government
Gambling Rules at ASU . Students at Arizona State University should review this document, which covers both state law and university policy regarding gambling. Remember, state law is only one part of the picture – your school, workplace and other environments may have additional rules and regulations regarding gambling.
Gila River Casinos The Gila River Indian Community operates some of the largest casinos in the state of Arizona, and is an excellent starting point for gamblers looking to plan a trip to the state. You can get more information about the tribe and the casinos they operate from this central resource.
Online Poker Real Money Arizona
Arizona and Poker
While not as rich in poker history as a Texas or California, Arizona plays an important role in the modern tale of the game. The Arizona State Poker Championship has become a marquee event on the US tournament circuit, and the prowess of Arizonian poker players was proven yet again in 2012 when ASU student Jake Balsiger took 3rd place in the World Series of Poker Main Event.