Best Arizona Online Sportsbooks And Apps
Arizona is one of the latest states to enter the world of betting, having legalized sports betting in April 2021, and launched in September 2021, just in time for the kickoff of the NFL season. However, it's worth noting that account registration began on August 28, the same day daily fantasy sports in Arizona started, giving its bettors a head start to engage in the chaotic yet potentially lucrative journey that is online sports betting.
As stated, online sports betting in Arizona is legal, but not only that – it's experiencing impressive growth, which isn't as surprising, knowing how many great teams Arizona is home to. And it seems like many of the top sportsbooks in the U.S. predicted that, seeing how a plethora of top brands entered the Arizona market as soon as it was possible.
That includes Caesars, BetMGM, and DraftKings, who were the first three sportsbooks to launch their apps in Arizona. However, it took only a few months for other big names to round up an impressive list of excellent sportsbooks Arizona bettors can choose from.
Admittedly, the selection of sportsbooks in the Crossing Board isn't as big as that in Nevada or New Jersey, but as far as the top names are concerned, Arizona has you covered.
Best Online Arizona Sportsbooks
As noted, Arizona's selection of sportsbooks isn't one of the largest in the United States, nor does it come close. However, that's definitely bound to change with time since we have to remember that Arizona sports betting has been live only since September 2021.
But the relatively small offer of sports betting apps should not concern anyone who wishes to bet in Arizona, seeing how the Copper State already features some of the biggest and best brands. Here we take a look at some of the best online Arizona sportsbooks that offer their services and mobile betting apps in the state.
Top AZ Sportsbooks
1. BetMGM
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2. Draftkings
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3. FanDuel
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DraftKings
DraftKings is a well-known brand in sports betting and one of the first sportsbooks to enter the Arizona market through a partnership with the PGA Tour and TPC Scottsdale. Many bettors will know DraftKings for its daily fantasy sports; however, DraftKings is much more than just that.
It wouldn't be too far from the truth to say that DraftKings has, since its beginnings, morphed into one of the leading online sportsbooks, whose presence is felt across the United States. To no one's surprise, DraftKings is also one of the leading sportsbooks in Arizona, where it holds the title as one of the top-three sportsbooks by betting handle.
And it's easy to see why so many Arizona bettors like to bet on DraftKings. Not only is it one of the most reputable brands in the industry, but it also has one of the best mobile betting apps out there.
Beyond its excellent mobile betting app, DraftKings excels in its market offer, covering any sport imaginable, all while providing its customers with very competitive odds. There are a lot of things DraftKings does right and plenty of reasons why it is one of the top sportsbooks for bettors in Arizona.
DraftKings Arizona Partner: TPC Scottsdale
BetMGM
Quality has become synonymous with BetMGM as a highly reputable name in the sports betting industry and one of the leading sports betting providers in the United States. BetMGM is a major player in Arizona, which has gained an added promotion with the partnership with Arizona Cardinals, as the first NFL team to open a sportsbook at their own stadium.
And while having an option to bet at State Farm Stadium is definitely a plus, it's BetMGM's online betting experience that is its main selling point. Out of all online sportsbooks, BetMGM stands out as one of the best.
BetMGM has excellent betting odds and more markets than you would ever wish for. The sportsbook oozes quality and professionalism, and you would be hard-pressed to find someone who has not at least tried BetMGM before.
Nowadays, BetMGM stands out with excellent odds, markets, unique betting features, and who can forget its amazing mobile betting app? Admittedly, BetMGM's app wasn't always great, but it has become one of the most popular mobile betting apps in the industry with recent updates.
BetMGM Arizona Partner: Gila River Hotels & Casinos
WynnBET
WynnBET might not be as big of a brand as BetMGM or DraftKings, but this is an excellent sportsbook for any new bettor. WynnBET is already legal in seven states, including Arizona, where you can legally bet on the site or its mobile app.
Talking about the WynnBET mobile app, it's arguably one of the cleanest in the industry, easy to use, and fast. Its most significant advantage over other mobile betting apps is that it comes without any fuss and instead gets straight to the business.
So if you want a mobile betting app that does what it's supposed to do without trying to be fancy – WynnBET is the sportsbook for you. Beyond that, the betting service on WynnBET is great for any bettor, no matter their experience betting.
So if you're out for a reputable and safe sportsbook that isn't trying to be more than just a sports betting provider, WynnBET is the right one for you.
WynnBET Arizona Partner: The San Carlos Apache Tribe
FanDuel
If you're a fan of the Phoenix Suns and someone who likes to bet on sports, the only logical choice for you in Arizona is FanDuel. The prominent name in the U.S. sports betting world, FanDuel, was one of the first sportsbooks to launch in Arizona, thanks to its partnership with the NBA powerhouse, which only boosted its recognition in the state.
It goes without saying that FanDuel is one of the most popular sports betting providers in the country. It parlayed its success in daily fantasy sports into becoming the premier destination for online sports bettors.
And if you talk about the online sports betting experience at FanDuel, it's hard to look past its mobile betting app, which is one of the most visually appealing apps with an incredible live betting experience to go along with that.
The app is available for iOS and Android devices, is free to download, and is one of the most stable apps available. FanDuel even has its basics covered – with excellent odds and a large selection of markets.
So if you're looking for the ultimate sports betting experience in Arizona, you should definitely consider FanDuel.
FanDuel Arizona Partner: Phoenix Suns
BetRivers
BetRivers is a well-known U.S. brand operated by Rush Street Interactive, headquartered in Chicago. BetRivers Sportsbook's biggest strength is its mobile betting app, which has been developed in-house, specifically for the U.S. regulated markets, making it stand out from the rest.
The app is distinctive, and BetRivers takes pride in how it's doing things differently from other sportsbooks.
When betting on BetRivers mobile app, you will not only get excellent betting odds and a large selection of sports to bet on but also some of BetRiver's unique features. That includes historical matchup statistics for any game, giving you an edge when picking out your bet.
Besides that, BetRivers also offers an excellent loyalty scheme, giving its users both rewards that can be claimed at Rivers Casino as well as free bets, odds boost, and deposit bonuses.
BetRivers Sportsbook Arizona Partner: Arizona Rattlers
Caesars Sportsbook
With so many great Arizona online sportsbooks to choose from, it's hard to pick the right one, but there are a few names you can be sure will never disappoint. One of them is Caesars Sportsbook.
Caesars Sportsbook was one of the first three sports betting providers to launch its mobile betting app in the state, which proved to be the right call as it helped it amass a large following of bettors. While the timing has definitely helped Caesars get off to a fast start in Arizona, it definitely isn't the only reason why so many people rushed to download the app and create an account.
Initially a background player in the United States sports betting world, Caesars increased its footprint drastically following its acquisition of William Hill's U.S. Operations, essentially transforming it into one of the leading names in the industry. The Arizona betting revenue numbers are still fairly young, but Caesars Sportsbook's success in other states is any indication; it is firmly in the race for the top tiers of the revenue charts.
Besides being known for its great selection of betting markets, Caesars Sportsbook is primarily famous for its loyalty program and rewards. That includes a $1,001 free first bet match for all new users, in addition to regular bonuses and promotions for its loyal customers.
Overall, Caesars is an excellent sportsbook that scores high grades in every category, on top of offering a top-notch user experience with its mobile betting app.
Caesars Sportsbook Arizona Partner: Arizona Diamondbacks
Popular Sports In Arizona
Unlike most other states, where football is the go-to sport, it's tough to find the most popular sport in Arizona. And that is not because sports aren't popular in the state, but instead because Arizona houses some of the most well-known teams in the world.
Arizona is the home of highly successful teams across all major US leagues, including Arizona Cardinals (NFL), Phoenix Suns (NBA), Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB), Arizona Coyotes (NHL), and the six-time WNBA champions, Phoenix Mercury. Beyond that, many more Arizona teams have achieved immense success in their respective sports, namely the six-time indoor football champions, Arizona Rattlers.
Evidently, sports are hugely popular in Arizona, which explains why the sports betting industry has been thriving.
Arizona's betting handle numbers hardly reveal which is the most popular sport in the state amongst bettors and seems to be heavily dictated on which events are happening at the time. However, you can be sure that all Arizona sportsbooks will have their hands full offering special promotions on matches played by any of Arizona's big teams, which is just one more reason why sports betting in the state is set to reach new heights in 2022.
Betting Options In Arizona Sportsbooks
Arizona might not have as long of a history of sports betting as Nevada, nor does it have as big of a betting handle as New Jersey, but Arizona bettors are anything but deprived of a great selection of sportsbooks.
With over a dozen sportsbooks live in Arizona, each with its own mobile betting app, you won't have a hard time finding the right one for you. Besides that, the market selection is vast, and you won't ever find yourself struggling to place wagers on any league or sport you desire.
All in all, the betting options in Arizona sportsbooks include everything you would ever want without any restrictions. Above, we have listed some of the best sportsbooks in Arizona, but rest assured, those are not your only options and by no means the only good sports betting providers in the state. Why not learn more about our NCAA football picks with our handy guide.
Legislation For Online Sports Betting on Arizona
In most states, the road to legalizing sports betting was bumpy, mainly due to some anticipated and others less-anticipated issues. It was no different for Arizona, which had to overcome countless obstacles to go live with online sports betting in September 2021.
Interestingly, a simple typo almost shut down the entire effort to legalize sports betting in the state when it was nearly completed. But before all that, we have to travel back in time to 2019, where it all began.
The idea to legalize sports betting was first introduced in 2019; however, it didn't go anywhere, largely due to the limited support and opposition from the Arizona tribes. While many believed Arizona would be one of the first states to legalize sports betting post-PASPA, there didn't seem to be much urgency.
That primarily held true for the tribes, who seemed content with their existing operations. And naturally, they didn't want to do anything that would result in them having to deal with added competition.
It wasn't until when COVID-19 hit that things started to change, as the state needed to find a way to increase its revenue. Travel and tourism are two significant sources of income in Arizona, and with both struggling amid the pandemic, the only logical way for the state to recover financially is to start exploring options of legalizing sports betting.
Similarly, the pandemic also affected the casinos, which didn't have people coming in. As a result, Gov. Dough Ducey and tribal leaders looked around for new revenue streams - which they found in sports betting.
Even though sports betting presented the state with a potential new revenue stream, the legislation was stuck in committee until the end of March 2021. Then, out of the blue, the state Senate appeared poised to pass a new version of the bill, but it all came to a halt due to a typo.
Initially, the plan was for all the professional sports teams in Arizona to receive an online license or mobile sports betting platform, including the racetrack, which hosts NASCAR races. However, the typo in the new bill indicated that any "motorsports event" or "collection car auction" event with an average attendance of 150 would qualify for the license.
That technically meant that any restaurant would apply for its own sports betting license by simply holding a collection car auction with at least 150 people. The typo was later changed to say "150,000 people" and not 150, meaning only the Phoenix International Raceway would qualify for the license.
More obstacles followed after the Senator wanted to expand gambling to non-tribal interests, which the tribes opposed. However, the state tribes had to concede on some points since they also wanted to expand their gambling offer to include roulette and craps at their locations.
In the end, the Governor and the tribes came to an agreement; the bill passed both the House and Senate and was signed into law on April 15, 2021.
Sports betting in Arizola eventually launched on September 9, 2021, less than five months after the bill passed. That's relatively fast compared to other states, and it allowed Arizona bettors to start betting on the NFL season just as it began.
What to Consider When Shopping For The Best Arizona Online Sportsbooks and Apps
With so many online sportsbooks and apps available in Arizona, it might be difficult to find the right one for you. And while the huge offer surely makes picking one harder, the process is much simpler if you know what to look for.
Before anything, you need to find a sportsbook with a good reputation and one that is legal in the state. And that's not necessarily because the state wants to collect your tax dollars, but mainly for yourself and the safety of your money.
After that, it's wise to start comparing the sportsbook by the quality of their service. And by that, we're primarily referring to the selection of betting markets and the quality of the odds.
If you want to enjoy a successful betting endeavor, it's essential that you bet on a sportsbook that has a large selection of sports to bet on and competitive odds. The vast markets allow you to bet on any sport you wish, while good odds ensure you get the best offer.
Although a crucial factor to look at, most of the top sportsbooks check both boxes, so as long as you pick between reputable brands, you're set. Beyond that, it's wise to look at the sportsbook's banking options and which are best suited for you.
The layout of the site and the mobile apps is also something to consider, but it shouldn't be the decisive factor. Similarly, bonuses and promotions should be secondary, even though getting rewarded with free betting money or other goodies is always welcome.
When picking out the best mobile betting app, there are three more things to look at – its stability, interface, and speed. Some sportsbooks might have a great offer of markets and competitive odds, yet their apps are either slow or unstable, and those are sportsbooks you should avoid if you're a mobile bettor.
Still, with more and more sportsbooks entering the market and the increased competition, the overall quality of the betting offer and mobile apps has also increased. So, for the most part, you can't go wrong with picking any reputable and well-known brand.
Conclusion
The legalization process of online sports betting in Arizona has had many obstacles, and it came very close to getting delayed even further. But once all the pieces fell into the right place, Arizona did not hesitate to rush towards entering the market.
Having become a betting state in September, Arizona quickly emerged as one of the fastest-growing sports betting markets in the United States. As a result, more and more sportsbooks started entering the state.
In just a couple of months, the selection of sportsbooks and mobile betting apps in the state has exponentially increased, providing all the residents with a great way to enter the world of sports betting.
Sports betting in Arizona might not be as large as that of New Jersey or Nevada, but its betting handle is in no way correlated with its quality. There are more than enough big brand sportsbooks in the state for you to choose from and even some lesser-known names who offer the betting experience that can compare to the big boys.
All in all, it's easy to see why many people saw Arizona as a new big betting state. As long as you find the right sportsbook for you, you should have an excellent sports betting experience while betting in Arizona.