Arizona is one of the many states that have attempted to push sports betting legislation in 2020 but have not had success. While attempts to rope in both the House of Representations and the Senate have been dissatisfactory, tribal operators and state law makers have also not been in agreement.
Interestingly, not all tribal operators are against sports betting legalization in Arizona. Tucson attorney Steven Hart confirmed that Navajo Nation is in support of legalizing sports betting but it requires all tribal operators who are part of the state company to sign-off on the proposed amendment.
The first attempt at a sports betting bill was House Bill (HB) 2813 sponsored by R-Senator Sonny Borrelli and House Representative Stephen Pierce aimed at retail betting shops. This bill was meant to legalize land based betting in Arizona. Though HB 2813 leaned in favour of the tribes, they were hesitant to back it up as they feared a loss of freedom, thereby having to depend on state government to set up their independent establishments.
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One of the reasons why these tribal operators were not in favour of the bill was because they believe the state compact already gives them the approval to launch their own betting products. Another reason was because the Arizona Indian Gaming Association (AIGA) did not back this bill.
State legislators also tried to move forward with SB 1525, a revised version of SB 1158 which was introduced in 2019 and failed to get the support it needed. Should SB 1525 be approved, all tribal casino operators in Arizona will be permitted to offer sports betting. However, this is another bill that does not push for online and mobile sports betting.
Even if the bills get approval, a referendum will still be required for sports betting legislation to be made legal in Arizona. State legislators will have to put both bills on hold for 2020 and see if they can once again push these bills in 2021. Both bills will most likely have to be amended before they are reviewed in 2021.
Given the lengthy process required for legalizing sports betting and getting betting regulations in place, it appears that even if the push for sports betting legalization goes well in 2021, legalized sports betting services will only be up and running in 2022.
Legalizing sports betting is one way to pull up Arizona’s falling economy with has taken a massive blow as a result of the pandemic. Market analysts point out that it is important to include mobile sports betting as it will give the sports betting market a much needed financial boost.
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