PLAYERS TALK
WHEN CAN I PLAY ONLINE SLOTS? Right Now! But Wagering In Arizona Is Not Allowed...Yet
M
y question is about playing slots on my phone. Can I play online slots here in Arizona? I’ve been reading your magazine forever now and I thought the new laws would let me do that since my husband can now play fantasy sports and bet on games on his phone. I don’t care about betting on sports. I want to play for real on my phone! Sloan Thompson—via social media Thank you for your excellent question Sloan and for your loyalty as a reader! The new gaming compacts between Arizona’s Tribes and the Governor’s office allowed for an expansion of gambling including “Las Vegas-style” games like live craps, live roulette, live baccarat, live sic-bo, an increase to the maximum wagers on slot machines and all the table games, an increase to the number of gaming facilities some Tribes can have, and an increase to the number of slots and tables a Tribe can operate within their casinos. The Arizona State Legislature also passed a law allowing for event and fantasy sports wagering within the state. Tribes and commercial operators in partnership with professional sports teams and other sporting events obtained licenses to allow for wagering in person and via cellphone apps. Currently, the Tribes do not have the authority to conduct online wagering on games (slots, blackjack, roulette, etc.) aside from sporting contests. That will probably change in the future. Most likely it will require a new law to be passed by the Arizona State Legislature. At the very least, the gaming compacts will have to change again. Since Arizona’s Tribes are releasing sports wagering apps with and without partners, what we are experiencing now is most likely the beginning stages of each Tribe operating their own online casino via an app. If you come across a site or app that allows you to wager on slots or any other casino game while you are in Arizona, know that the site or app (and you too!) are violating the law. Report any offenders to the Department of Gaming at 1.602.771.4263. In the mean time, you can play your favorite slots online for entertainment purposes only here in Arizona. In our opinion, if our readers want to play online slots, readers should find apps run by Arizona’s casinos.
06 Arizona Gaming Guide | December 2021 | azgamingguide.com
Here is a list of Arizona casinos with “play for fun” apps: Casino Arizona / Talking Stick Resort Use The Search Term: Casino AZ/Talking Stick Resort Gila River Hotels & Casinos Use The Search Term: Play Gila Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino Use The Search Term: Caesars Slots Have fun & good luck! $
