Arizona Governor Asks Legislature To Consider Online Sports Betting

Published January 28, 2021 by Sol FH

Arizona Governor Asks Legislature To Consider Online Sports Betting

Governor Doug Ducey wants citizens of Arizona to be able to legally bet on sporting events.

Last week, Governor Doug Ducey (R) has voiced his desire to allow online sports betting in the state of Arizona. Until now, sports betting and casino gambling is limited to First Nations' reservations, but if Ducey gets his way, Arizonians will be able to bet on the Diamondbacks and the Cardinals, as well as the Wildcats and the Sun Devils. He hasn't limited his idea to sports betting, as the Governor has also said that online fantasy leagues, instant keno, and other forms of gambling to be legal, and that it should all be allowed from one's mobile device.

He will begin jumping hurdles as he now needs the Arizona Legislature to repeal the laws that now prohibit such gambling.

The document he drafted and sent to Arizona lawmakers last Wednesday states that he has already negotiated a new compact with First Nations tribes in the state, which will continue to offer the sole casino-style wagering in Arizona, but, with new limitations. 

He stated that the new deal will give tribes more money, while the state government would also profit a lot more from tax revenue. 

“Our goal is to bring Arizona gaming into the 21st century,” Ducey's press aide commented to Capitol Media Services. “A lot has changed since the first compacts were signed, back when cellphones weren’t the thing they are now,” he said. “The world looks a lot different today and our proposal is intended to reflect the way people live their lives today.”
 
This is the time to push a new agreement as the current 20-year compacts with First Nations tribes, approved by voters in 2002, will soon expire.
 
Tribes are keen on keeping their streams of revenue flowing, while Ducey is interested in new ways to generate money for the state, without imposing new taxes for residents, especially as he is pushing lawmakers to make tax cuts. 
 
This has been a long-term goal for Ducey ever since congress deemed it unconstitutional to ban states from deciding their own gambling fate. 

Back in 2018, Ducey tried to help fund his teacher pay package through online keno but was shut down. Keno is already available on reservations. 


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