Legal Poker For Arizona Residents
Poker is one of the most beloved of gambling activities. From playing with friends on a Tuesday night to going to casinos for a tournament on the weekend, you might enjoy poker in a variety of situations. But the truth is that poker is a pretty complex issue, from a legal standpoint. This is particularly true when you start to consider land-based and online poker options. As such, it is a good idea that you educate yourself regarding the gambling laws in your state before you ask the dealer to count you in.
If you live in the state of Arizona you are in luck. This state's legal code is interesting in that it abides by an extremely broad definition of gambling and it includes games of skill and games of chance, yet at the same time it offers a fair amount of opportunities for residents to engage in their favorite wagering activities—including poker. If you are interested in learning more about where you can legally play poker in Arizona read on, as we are going to take a closer look at several of the different aspects of this particular legal topic.
Arizona Poker Laws & Statutes
Basically, players in the state of Arizona are able to legally play poker in social settings and in regulated tribal casinos. Additionally, authorized charitable organizations, if provided with the right licensure, may have the ability to host poker tournaments to benefit their causes. But it is important to remember that there are certain guidelines that you must uphold when engaging in these different environments.
Social games are allowed if no one makes a profit (meaning the game itself does not financially benefit the operator). Additionally, all players must be seen as equal and must be at least 21 years of age. Likewise, individuals playing poker in tribal casinos must be 21 or older.
Interestingly, Arizona has established regulations that keep the state and event tribal casinos from offering online gaming. As such, online sites that are hosted by either the state of Arizona or an Arizona-based casino are not in accordance with the legal code.
Is it Legal to Play Online Poker in Arizona?
The state of Arizona has a pretty vague set of regulations regarding the online nature of gaming within its boundaries. As we have discussed, there are statutes in place that keep the state and licensed tribal casinos from setting up Internet-based operations. But the legality of such statutes are actually in question, as forbidding native tribes from setting up online gaming opportunities is of dubious legal merit.
Aside from these regulations, though, there are no laws that specifically speak to Internet-based poker games. Furthermore, a large percentage of the penalties that are listed in the legal code are geared toward operators—not players. As such, individual players have little to worry about when engaging in poker online.
Can I Get into Trouble for Playing Online Poker Arizona?
As the last section explains, the issue of Internet-based poker play has yet to be resolved in the state of Arizona; however, given the lack of a law specifically forbidding online gambling and the fact that the legal code pays more attention to operators than individual players, many residents of Arizona feel safe engaging in their favorite poker tournaments on the World Wide Web.
But it is important to remember that there are other ways to get into trouble when playing online poker than just with the law. If you trust just any website with your money—and your sensitive financial information—you may find yourself facing a major challenge in terms of recouping funds lost to scammers. Make certain that you choose an online poker room that is highly recommended by experienced players. The best online gaming organizations will offer you the support and information you need to enjoy your time on their site.
Legal Poker Sites That Accept Arizona Players
Despite a strong presence of legal poker rooms in Arizona, playing in them for too long can begin to feel a bit isolating. What if they don’t want to play in a tournament, what if they want to play at higher or lower stakes than what is available, and most of all, what if they just want to play from the comfort of their own home? Join the thousands of Arizona residents who have found the solution to this problem and more at any of the legal poker sites listed below.
Bovada Poker - Most Trusted Online Poker Room For Arizona
For Arizona residents that demand the very best from their legal online poker rooms, the clearest answer is Bovada. The Bovada name has become synonymous with online gambling in all its forms, and it has done so through many, many years of delivering quality service to customers in Arizona and all over the United States. Bovada boasts a secure financial network, meaning players do not have to give a second thought to depositing or withdrawing money from their accounts, and can focus instead on all the fun at hand.
For truly, there is a lot of fun to be had in the Bovada poker room. Not only can you play any iteration of poker even the most savvy poker veteran can come up with, you can freely alternate between tournament or table play at your every whim. However, Bovada is not merely content with offering many options for their customers to play poker, they want to ensure that all their clients are the best players they can be. This legal poker site for Arizona residents provides input on every hand and all the tools needed to become the best player possible. Check with Bovada poker for more details on archived hand histories and rabbit cams, but rest assured that with an account comes the opportunity to become a poker aficionado.
BetOnline Poker - All Arizona Players 18+ Welcome Here
For those who live in Arizona and are serious about their poker, an account at BetOnline should be taken into real consideration. After serving US residents for over a decade, a lot of people from Arizona are coming around to this legal online poker network that has a reputation for putting customer service first. With a BetOnline account, a player need never worry about facing any gambling related question alone. BetOnline customer service is simply unparalleled, and not just in the online gambling industry. If you have a question at any time, day or night, on any day of the year, a user need only call one of 5dime’s six (!) open customer service lines to be connected to a live person right away.
However, one should not fall in the trap of thinking that just because BetOnline offers comprehensive service that they cannot cater to the most serious players. Arizona residents have found that although BetOnline welcomes new users of all skill levels to their poker site. Their tournament schedule in fairly regular and they even have tournaments that pay five figures to the winner. For a true high rolling poker experience right in your own home, a opening a BetOnline poker account is the way to go.
| Legal Arizona Poker Sites | Welcome Bonus | What To Play | Site Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bovada Poker Play / Sign Up | $1,000 FREE - 100% Match | Hold'em - Omaha Hi/Lo - Stud Hi/Lo |  |
| BetOnline Poker Play / Sign Up | Maximum $1K: 200% Rate | Texas Hold'em - Omaha Hi/Lo | |
| SportsBetting Play / Sign Up | 200% Match / $1,000 Max | Texas Hold'em - Omaha Hi/Lo | |
| 5Dimes Poker Play / Sign Up | Vary Weekly - Check Website | Texas Hold'em - Omaha Hi/Lo |  |
Does Arizona Have Legal Land-Based Poker?
As we have mentioned, Arizona offers a surprisingly diverse collection of environments in which you can engage in land-based poker despite its rather broad definition of gambling. Many individuals enjoy going to the tribal casinos for both tournaments and more casual game nights. The great thing about these events is that they allow individuals to socialize and provide a wonderful night out of the house. But for those who are looking for a lower key evening, social games at home are permitted if they meet the above guidelines. Basically, hosts cannot take a cut for themselves when they have a poker night at their house. Additionally, it is important that all players are of age if real money is at stake, regardless of the location of the game.
Legal Land-Based Poker Rooms For Arizona Players
If you are looking for land-based poker you have two options: tribal casinos or social games. Tribal casinos provide great events for poker lovers, from single games to tournaments. If you are searching for a fun, social evening full of your favorite card game, then it may be a great idea to look at what your local casino has to offer. But if you are thinking of a more convenient, low-key game then hosting a social poker tournament with your friends is a fantastic option. Just make sure that you stick within the guidelines that are listed above, as you certainly want to stay within the legal parameters.
When it comes to online poker, you can turn to trusted poker rooms that are based in locations other than Arizona. Rooms that operate in accordance with local laws, depending upon where they are geographically situated, are more stable and trustworthy.
Future of Poker/Online Poker in Arizona
The future of online poker in Arizona is, as of now, a bit up in the air. The state is facing challenges regarding its ban on Internet-based tribal casino offerings. As such, rulings on this issue can change the online gambling landscape for residents of this area. But aside from this issue, the state of Arizona has done little with regard to regulating online gaming.
