Arizona Department Of Gaming Event Wagering Report & What’s A Legal Pool

Bettors in Arizona wagered nearly $617 million in November of 2022, according to a new report by the Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG). This represents a 32.2% increase when compared to November of 2021. “It is exciting to see a second consecutive month of over $600 million wagered on sports by patrons within the state,” said Ted Vogt, Director, ADG. “This milestone highlights Arizona’s strong sports betting market, which has already established itself as a top-ten market nationally.” Privilege fees totaled over $3.8 million in the month, resulting in approximately $31 million in privilege fees collected by the state since the start of legal operations.

With the NCAA National Championship for Men’s Basketball heating up, the best places to bet is at a casino, or with one of the many legal online wagering apps available in the state. If you and your friends want to set up your own pool to bet on sports, be careful! These pools are legal as long as the state’s social gambling rules are followed. According to Arizona Law [A.R.S. 13-3301(7)], social gambling requires that gambling cannot be conducted as business, which means that hosts cannot receive financial benefit, unless they are participating in the game, that hosts pay out all pool money to the winner(s), that only participants can win, and that players compete on equal terms with each other. A few things to be on the lookout for that indicate illegal gambling include paying a fee to participate, including “suggested” or “voluntary” donations, or a host who keeps a percentage of the pool for administering the game, or a required minimum purchase to participate (food or beverage, etc.), or unequal odds, or underage participants.

ADG takes complaints about illegal gambling seriously. To report (even anonymously) suspected illegal gambling activity, visit Gaming.AZ.gov or call 1.602.255.3886. $