Arizonian Race Wagering

The Arizona Department of Gaming's Division of Racing (the former Department of Racing was consolidated into ADG in 2015) and the Arizona Racing Commission regulate pari-mutuel horse racing and ontrack and teletrack wagering. Live greyhound racing was banned in Arizona in May 2016 when Gov. Doug Ducey signed legislation prohibiting the practice; the last live dog race was held at Tucson Greyhound Park on June 25, 2016. Simulcast greyhound racing from out-of-state tracks may still be wagered on at licensed OTB locations.

Arizona is the rare example of a state where Native American tribes are the key players in the legalization debate, but are on opposite sides. In February 2019, the Arizona State Senate Appropriations Committee pushed a bill through that would give tribes the exclusive right to operate sports betting off their reservations in exchange for sharing winnings with the state. Tribes could put betting kiosks in non-tribal bars and private clubs. The Navajo Nation is pushing for the measure, but other Arizona tribes oppose the legislation, saying it could hurt existing casinos on reservations.