Arizona is the home of some of the most celebrated sports teams in the US. So, it is not surprising that state residents look for licensed Daily Fantasy Sports operators. As DFS sites have been legal in the state since 2021, players search for the best services and contests. Discover the top Daily Fantasy Sports sites that operate legally in Arizona and explore their features.

Todd Winkler, Editor at online-gambling.com

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Todd Winkler has been an editor at online-gambling.com for 6 years. His focus is on guides and articles about poker games, blackjack, and DFS. With relatives in New Zealand, he is also well aware of the gambling industry in the country.

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What is Daily Fantasy?

Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) is a competition that asks contestants to build a team of players from a particular sports league and then put them head-to-head against other contestants in their pool, with points being earned based on the real-life performances of the players in that week’s round. All contestants must stick to salary caps when drafting players, and competitions generally last for only a week but can even be as short as a day.

As of August 2021, DFS betting is legal in Arizona. The Arizona Department of Gaming licenses all operators and regulates the market. However, you should note that you must be 21 years old to participate in daily fantasy games.

Online Daily Fantasy Sports in Arizona – Overview

Regarding gambling laws, Arizona takes a more conservative approach to legislation. While 20 Native-American tribal casinos allow for casino-style table gambling and slot machines in the state, other casinos are illegal. Sports betting is also legal, so players can bet on various sports events from around the globe.

Both DFS and sports betting were legalized through the HB 2772. While ten sports betting licenses were reserved for tribal casinos, other operators quickly managed to get an approval too. As such, players can freely enjoy sports betting in Arizona through online and land-based sportsbooks.

New players may be wondering what DFS leagues are available in Arizona. That is why we have prepared the following paragraphs.

Online Daily Fantasy MLB – Studded With Diamondbacks

Arizona Major League Baseball supporters will surely jump on board the opportunity to fill their Fantasy teams with star players from the Diamondbacks. In MLB Fantasy, players can draft their team of 10 players with no more than 5 hitters allowed per team. Players can score points in several ways, with 5 points for stealing bases, 10 points for a home run, etc. These conditions, of course, vary depending on the tournament you participate in.

Online Daily Fantasy NBA – A Team Full of Suns

With Arizona being home to the beloved Phoenix Suns, the NBA Fantasy League is sure to garner a few fans in the state. In the NBA DFS League, contestants are to create a lineup of 8 players that must be playing in at least two different NBA games that week. Scoring is based on real-life gameplay statistics, e.g., 1 point for every point scored, 2 points for a block.

Online Daily Fantasy NFL – A Cardinal State Touch Down

While the Arizona Cardinals have never won a Super Bowl, this could be the chance that Cardinals supporters have always been waiting for to lead some of their players to National Football League glory. In the popular NFL Fantasy League, players are to build a team of 9 of NFL stars and watch them go head-to-head against other contestants’ teams. Points are scored similarly to other leagues.

Online Daily Fantasy NHL – The Coyote’s Call

The Coyotes represent Arizona in the National Hockey League, but who knows which individual players will represent them in their fantasy lineups? The NHL Fantasy League asks contestants to draft teams of 9 players from at least three different teams. Points are awarded to players for their goals, assists, and blocked shots, with goalies also earning more points for successful gameplay.

College Fantasy Sport – Wildcats Vs. Sun Devils

Arizona is home to several universities with their own NCAA sports teams. The two most successful of these universities are the University of Arizona and Arizona State University. Over the years, the two teams have gone on to build a spirited rivalry.

Whether you’re a Wildcats supporter (University of Arizona) or a Sun Devils supporter (Arizona State University), it won’t matter. When building your DFS College Football team – you can choose any player from the same league as you’d like.

Timeline of Daily Fantasy Sports Legislation

Arizona has come a long way since it banned all gambling in 1912. The history of legalizing DFS is long due to Arizona’s definition of gambling. It included games of skill, making it more difficult to pass legislation. Additionally, legislators were concerned that DFS could negatively affect tribal casinos.

These concerns are partly why DFS legislation was blocked in 2014 and 2016. In 2021, online Daily Fantasy Sports and sports betting became legal. Many operators began the ADG’s strict examination to qualify for a permit and start operating in the state. As the ADG can provide infinite daily fantasy licenses, there is no shortage of great operators.

Below is a table of essential years in the history of Arizona gambling. We will continue to update it when any new developments arise.

Legal Daily Fantasy Betting Age in Arizona

Betting on DFS is entirely legal in Arizona. However, as mentioned earlier, you must be 21 years old to access any operators.

That is why reading all the relevant legislation is vital to avoid any issues. Below are a few more details on Arizona state laws so you can get a better perspective on the legal gambling age.

• DFS Betting Age
  DFS betting is legal in Arizona for players 21+ years old.
• Alcohol Age
  The legal drinking age in Arizona is 21 years old.
• Weed Age
  Recreational cannabis use is legal in Arizona.

Is Daily Fantasy Betting Legal Outside of the State?

With this recent legislation, Arizona joins many states in the USA where Daily Fantasy League betting is legal. That leaves just a few states, including Hawaii, Nevada, and Idaho, where it is illegal. Some have banned all forms of gambling, while others are progressing towards legalization.

As this is considered a game of skill, many states view it favorably, so legislation can pass more easily. The success of daily fantasy betting in Ohio shows the many benefits for the players and the state. As such, we hope it will appear in more states in the future, potentially the entire US.

Taxes on Daily Fantasy Winnings: Legal Overview

The IRS and Arizona Department of Revenue consider all gambling winnings taxable income. However, while the IRS taxes a flat 24%, the state of Arizona bases its tax on your total income. Note that your marital status and how you file your taxes can affect the rate.

• 2.59% for income up to $26,500 for single people or up to $53,000 for married couples
• 3.34% for income up to $53,000 for single people or up to $106,000 for married couples
• 4.17% for income up to $159,000 for single people or up to $318,000 for married couples
• 4.50% for income over $159,000 for single people or over $318,000 for married couples

It is very important to always provide accurate information and file your income carefully. All operators will send you Form W-2G if your winnings exceed a certain amount.

Upcoming Regulation Changes to Be Aware Of

Legalizing daily fantasy and sports betting was a long process with many obstacles. Nevertheless, it has been an enormous success, with state revenue from DFS reaching over $1 million at the start of 2023. Players are eager to compete in their favorite leagues, and many operators are applying for licenses.

It seems Arizona has changed since its initial stance on gambling in 1912. This bodes well for legislation of other gambling types, such as online casinos and poker games. We hope they will be legalized in the future, and we will keep you updated with any news.

Daily Fantasy Guides for Nearby States

• California
• Nevada
• Utah
• New Mexico