Gambling in Arizona has evolved significantly over the years, with a mix of tribal casinos, sports betting, and state-run lottery. It's a highly regulated industry with strict rules, including age limits and provisions for problem gambling. ### **ARIZONA GAMBLING: LAWS, REGULATION, AND PROBLEM GAMBLING RESOURCES** **I. Legal Forms of Gambling in Arizona** Arizona's gambling landscape is primarily shaped by its unique relationship with Native American tribes and recent legislation expanding sports betting. 1. **Tribal Casinos and Gaming:** - **Dominant Force:** Tribal casinos are the cornerstone of Arizona's legal gambling industry. There are **22 federally recognized tribes operating 26 casinos** across the state. - **Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA):** All gambling on Native American land is authorized by the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). - **Tribal-State Gaming Compacts:** Gambling operations on tribal lands are governed by compacts signed between the state and individual tribes. These compacts specify the types of games allowed, revenue sharing, and regulatory oversight. Revenues from tribal gaming are used for tribal governmental services and charitable ventures. - **Types of Games:** Tribal casinos offer a wide range of games, including slot machines, table games (blackjack, poker, craps, roulette), and bingo. - **Minimum Age:** The minimum age for casino gambling in Arizona is **21 years old**. 2. **Sports Betting:** - **Legalized in 2021:** Arizona legalized both retail and online sports betting in 2021. - **Licensing:** Licenses are granted to Native American tribes and professional sports organizations. This has led to the operation of several major online sportsbooks (e.g., DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM) accessible within state borders. - **Retail Locations:** Many tribal casinos and sports venues also offer retail sportsbooks. - **Minimum Age:** The minimum age for sports betting in Arizona is **21 years old**. - **Online Casino Gaming & Poker:** While online sports betting is legal, **online casino gaming (e.g., slots, table games, poker) through unregulated platforms is explicitly prohibited** and considered illegal gambling. Players must visit retail tribal casinos for these activities. 3. **Arizona State Lottery:** - **Legal Status:** The Arizona State Lottery is legal and offers various games, including scratch tickets, draw games (like Powerball and Mega Millions), and instant win games. - **Minimum Age:** The minimum age to purchase lottery tickets is **21 years old**. 4. **Horse and Dog Racing (Pari-Mutuel Betting):** - **Legal Status:** Horse racing is permitted, and pari-mutuel betting is legal at licensed racetracks and off-track betting (OTB) locations. - **Dog Racing:** While historically permitted, live dog racing is no longer conducted in Arizona. Betting on simulcast dog races from other states may still occur at OTB locations. - **Minimum Age:** The minimum age for pari-mutuel betting is **21 years old**. 5. **Charitable and Social Gambling:** - **Raffles:** Legal for charitable purposes, provided the organization conducting them is non-profit and meets state guidelines. - **Bingo and Pull-Tabs:** Often permitted for charitable organizations. The minimum age for bingo and pull-tabs is typically **18 years old**. - **Social Gambling:** Generally allowed if no one profits from running the game (e.g., home poker games where the house doesn't take a cut). **II. Regulatory Agencies** The primary agency overseeing legal gambling in Arizona is the **Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG)**. - **Role:** The ADG regulates tribal gaming, sports betting, fantasy sports, horse racing, and other forms of legal gambling to ensure compliance with state laws and compacts, promote fair play, and provide resources for problem gambling. - **Website:** [https://gaming.az.gov/](https://gaming.az.gov/) **III. Illegal Gambling** - **Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S. § 13-3301 et seq.):** Arizona law generally considers any gambling illegal unless expressly permitted by statute. - **Unlicensed Operations:** This includes unauthorized online casinos, illegal card games, or any gambling conducted outside the regulated framework. - **Penalties:** Engaging in or promoting illegal gambling carries penalties ranging from misdemeanors to felonies, including fines and imprisonment. **IV. Problem Gambling Resources in Arizona** Arizona is committed to addressing problem gambling and offers significant resources to individuals and families affected by gambling addiction. 1. **Arizona Problem Gambling Helpline:** - **Phone:** **1-800-NEXTSTEP (1-800-639-8783)** - **Text:** **NEXTSTEP** to **53342** - **Chat:** Via their website: [https://problemgambling.az.gov/](https://problemgambling.az.gov/) - **Purpose:** This is the primary 24/7, confidential helpline for Arizonans impacted by problem gambling. It provides immediate support, information, and referrals to treatment and resources. - **Treatment Assistance Program (TAP):** The Arizona Department of Gaming's Division of Problem Gambling subsidizes treatment for individuals with a gambling problem or anyone affected by a problem gambler (family, friends) through the TAP program. You can contact providers directly and state you're calling about the state-funded TAP program. 2. **Self-Exclusion Programs:** - **Purpose:** Allows individuals to voluntarily ban themselves from all tribal gaming facilities in Arizona. Once on the list, casinos are legally obligated to deny access and services. - **Contact:** The Arizona Department of Gaming oversees the self-exclusion program. - **Phone:** (602) 290-2555 - **Email:** [email protected] - **Website:** [https://problemgambling.az.gov/self-exclusion](https://problemgambling.az.gov/self-exclusion) 3. **Support Groups:** - **Gamblers Anonymous (GA):** A 12-step fellowship for individuals who want to stop gambling. Meetings are held across Arizona. - **Website:** [https://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/](https://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/) (Search for local Arizona meetings) - **Gam-Anon:** A 12-step fellowship for the family members and friends of compulsive gamblers. - **Website:** [https://www.gam-anon.org/](https://www.gam-anon.org/) (Search for local Arizona meetings) - **GamTalk:** A 24/7 moderated online peer support forum. 4. **Professional Treatment & Counseling:** - **Arizona Council on Compulsive Gambling, Inc. (ACCG):** A non-profit organization dedicated to education, awareness, and providing confidential peer support and treatment referrals. They are not treatment providers themselves but connect individuals to qualified professionals. - **Hotline:** **1-800-777-7207** - **Website:** [https://azccg.org/](https://azccg.org/) - **Algamus (Goodyear, AZ):** A nationally recognized residential treatment center specifically for gambling addiction. - **Website:** [https://www.algamus.org/](https://www.algamus.org/) - **GamFin:** Provides financial counseling and training for problem gambling treatment, often at no cost through partnerships with the Arizona Department of Gaming. - **Website:** [https://www.gamfin.org/programs/arizona](https://www.gamfin.org/programs/arizona) - **Various behavioral health providers:** Many licensed therapists and counselors in Arizona specialize in addiction, including problem gambling. The Arizona Department of Gaming website lists approved providers for its Treatment Assistance Program. 5. **National Resources:** - **National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG):** A national resource with a helpline and extensive information. - **Helpline:** **1-800-GAMBLER** - **Text:** **800GAM** - **Chat:** Via their website: [https://www.ncpgambling.org/](https://www.ncpgambling.org/) If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, please reach out to these resources. Help is confidential and available. Here are some resources for **gambling addiction support** in **Arizona**: ### **1. Arizona Problem Gambling Coalition (APGC)** - **Purpose**: The APGC provides education, resources, and referrals for individuals struggling with problem gambling in Arizona. It works to raise awareness and connect individuals with treatment and support services. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: (602) 248-PLAY (7529) (24/7 Helpline) - **Website**: [www.azpgc.org](https://www.azpgc.org) - **Services**: - Offers a statewide helpline for those affected by gambling addiction. - Provides referrals to treatment programs, support groups, and counseling. - Offers free educational resources about gambling addiction. --- ### **2. National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) – Arizona Chapter** - **Purpose**: The NCPG provides a national resource and local support for individuals affected by gambling addiction. The Arizona Chapter offers in-state services and connections to treatment and counseling. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: 1-800-522-4700 (National Helpline) *Available 24/7 for confidential assistance* - **Website**: [www.ncpgambling.org](https://www.ncpgambling.org) - **Services**: - Provides a confidential helpline for individuals seeking help with gambling problems. - Offers a list of licensed treatment providers in Arizona. - Offers resources for family members and friends of individuals affected by gambling addiction. --- ### **3. Gamblers Anonymous (GA) – Arizona** - **Purpose**: Gamblers Anonymous is a fellowship of individuals who share their experiences to support one another in overcoming gambling addiction. There are several meetings across Arizona. - **Contact**: - **Website**: [www.gamblersanonymous.org](https://www.gamblersanonymous.org) - **Services**: - Offers 12-step support group meetings across Arizona. - Provides support for individuals looking to stop gambling and maintain recovery. - Helps individuals rebuild relationships and improve their lives after gambling addiction. --- ### **4. Arizona Department of Gaming** - **Purpose**: The state agency regulates and oversees gambling in Arizona, including providing resources for those affected by gambling problems. It provides information and promotes responsible gambling. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: (602) 771-4263 - **Website**: [www.azgaming.gov](https://www.azgaming.gov) - **Services**: - Provides information on responsible gambling practices and self-exclusion programs. - Offers information on where to seek help for gambling addiction. - Promotes community education on gambling risks. --- ### **5. 24/7 Gambling Addiction Helpline** - **Purpose**: A confidential helpline for those struggling with gambling addiction. This is a national resource available to Arizona residents as well. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: 1-800-522-4700 - **Website**: [www.ncpgambling.org](https://www.ncpgambling.org) - **Services**: - Offers free, confidential assistance 24/7. - Provides support for gamblers and their families. - Offers information on treatment and recovery options available in Arizona. --- ### **6. Behavioral Health Services (BHS) – Arizona** - **Purpose**: Arizona offers behavioral health programs for individuals with gambling addiction. These services are often integrated with other mental health or substance use treatment services. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: 1-800-867-2634 - **Website**: [www.azdhs.gov](https://www.azdhs.gov) - **Services**: - Offers statewide addiction services for those struggling with gambling issues. - Provides referrals to treatment providers and support groups. - Offers resources for family members of individuals dealing with addiction. --- ### **7. Arizona Family Therapy** - **Purpose**: Provides specialized therapy services, including for gambling addiction. Focuses on treating individuals and families affected by gambling problems. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: (602) 300-3887 - **Website**: [www.arizonafamilytherapy.com](https://www.arizonafamilytherapy.com) - **Services**: - Offers individual and family counseling for gambling addiction. - Focuses on therapy to address underlying issues contributing to gambling behaviors. - Provides support for recovery and rebuilding relationships. --- ### **8. Step into Recovery** - **Purpose**: A treatment center offering recovery services for individuals struggling with various forms of addiction, including gambling. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: (602) 382-4207 - **Website**: [www.stepintorecovery.com](https://www.stepintorecovery.com) - **Services**: - Offers outpatient counseling and treatment programs for gambling addiction. - Provides individual and group therapy to address addictive behaviors. - Offers a safe and supportive environment for recovery. --- ### **9. Arizona Addiction Recovery Center (AARC)** - **Purpose**: A treatment center that offers comprehensive addiction recovery services, including for gambling. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: (888) 319-0904 - **Website**: [www.arizonaaddictioncenter.com](https://www.arizonaaddictioncenter.com) - **Services**: - Offers individualized treatment plans for gambling addiction, including inpatient and outpatient programs. - Provides therapy, counseling, and support groups for those affected by addiction. --- These resources in Arizona provide a range of services to assist individuals struggling with gambling addiction, including helplines, support groups, and counseling. They focus on helping individuals regain control of their lives and offering support for families affected by gambling problems.