Can You Play Online Poker in Arizona?

No, you cannot play online poker legally in Arizona. Although poker has been a popular pastime of people in Arizona for a long time, it is yet to be legalized in the state. This means participating in poker and other similar gambling activities could be illegal and punishable by law. Also, the illegal status means players are not protected by any legislation. 

Why Not? What Are the Online Poker Laws in Arizona?

You cannot play online poker in Arizona because it falls under the definition of “gambling”, which is considered illegal in Arizona’s state laws. So, while Arizona online poker isn’t outlawed specifically, the game’s classification as a form of gambling makes it illegal. Consequently, casinos and gambling rooms are not allowed to operate legally in the state, both offline and online.

However, the gambling laws in Arizona are almost exclusively focused on individuals or organizations that organize and promote illegal gambling activities. This means players face comparatively little legal risk when they play Arizona online poker, especially from sites not domiciled in the state. That said, players who use these sites are still taking a couple of big risks.

These sites are known as offshore gambling sites and are not subject to federal or local Arizona laws regarding poker and other gambling activities. Offshore sites such as ACR Poker and Ignition welcome Arizona citizens. 

Although offshore gambling sites are accessible to Arizona residents, MyPokerCoaching does not recommend playing on these sites. There’s no guarantee of your funds’ safety or the integrity of the game when you use these sites. There’s always a risk of not recovering your winnings or losing your money entirely due to a lack of fair play, which is why these sites are not recommended. 

Potential Arizona Poker Sites to Launch in the Future

Poker has been popular in Arizona for many years, but the state is still to regulate online poker sites. There have been several attempts at it over the years, but so far, none have come to fruition.

It is a pretty safe bet that online poker in AZ will be regulated at some point in the future, so the only real question is when. While it’s hard to give any definitive answer at this point in time, we continue to monitor the situation and will keep you updated with any important developments.

When online poker is finally legal in AZ, there are a few sites that we can expect to go live. These are all operators with a major presence in the regulated US market, and they’ll likely jump at the opportunity to expand their presence.

BetMGM Poker Arizona

BetMGM has established itself as a household name in the regulated US online poker space, and the operator will likely be among the first to stake a claim in such an attractive new market.

We expect BetMGM Poker will bring out a platform similar to that in other states like PA, MI, and NJ. A poker client powered by the PartyPoker technology offers a modern and very reliable solution for all online poker fans, even if it is not as rich in functionalities as some other platforms.

In terms of game variety, players can look forward to a nice mix of online tournaments, a wide range of cash game stakes, and, in all likelihood, BetMGM Poker’s staple SPINS – a hugely popular sit & go variation featuring a random jackpot.

It is also likely that BetMGM Poker AZ will come out of the gate swinging, offering a generous welcome bonus. With what’s likely to be heavy competition in the state, all sites will look for ways to stand out, and this is generally a good thing for the players.

PokerStars Arizona

Although the company couldn’t enter the US before 2016, PokerStars has established itself as a staple name of online poker in the country, just like they have done in the global market.

Once the regulation is finally passed, the launch of PokerStars is pretty much a guarantee. This is especially true if the state passes a law with the expectation of joining the MSIGA, as the operator seems eager to take advantage of opportunities provided by interstate poker.

But even without that particular element, AZ is a big enough market on its own.

What PokerStars brings to the table is the operator’s experience in organizing major online series, first and foremost. US versions of ‘COOP events have been hugely successful in all states where the site currently has a presence, and there is no reason to think Arizona would be an exception.

PokerStars also offers one of the best software solutions for desktop computers and mobile devices alike. This enhances the player experience and certainly helps push the site towards the top of the list when deciding where to play.

WSOP Arizona

The third AZ poker site likely to go live as soon as legal requirements are met is WSOP.com. Right now, WSOP is the only operator present in all regulated US markets with active poker sites, and the company is on the constant lookout for expansion opportunities.

WSOP.com has one trump card that no other operators can match, which is its ability to host bracelet-awarding events and exclusive satellites to live World Series of Poker tournaments. This has helped the operator remain competitive across the country.

A launch in a new state would likely mean an exclusive bracelet series, giving players in the state great opportunities to win some WSOP silverware from the comfort of their home, and if past experience is any indicator, this is an opportunity that players jump on.

WSOP should have no problem claiming its fair share of the new market despite competitors, with the operators’ numbers surging during major live and online events.