Arizona Online Casinos View Top Arizona Picks Arizona’s journey into the realm of gambling has been unique. Although the legal machinations that led to its current situation — 23 casinos open for business — are common in the United States, Arizona may be the only state that’s journey toward legalization involved an armed standoff between a group.

Along with poker, blackjack is one of the most popular card games that inspired many Hollywood movies. According to them, there are plenty of casinos across the US where real-money blackjack is legal. However, the situation is slightly different regarding the online version of this famous pastime.

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At the moment, online blackjack is legal only in a few states — New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Michigan. On the other hand, there are some states where online blackjack and other casino games are absolutely prohibited.

If you wish to find out more about the legal framework of online gambling in the US, you’ve landed on the right page. Read this comprehensive guide to learn all about it!

Initial Online Blackjack Regulations in the US

Online gambling laws in the US are often causing confusion among avid online casino fans. Although each of the states has the right to regulate online gambling as it sees fit, no particular federal laws officially prohibit or allow online blackjack on the country’s level.

The actual problem can be traced back to 1961 when the Wire Act was put into effect. This law aimed at preventing any cross-border illegal gambling activities that were practiced thanks to wire communication.

The Wire Act from 1961 targeted all sorts of online gambling for years. Nevertheless, since the appearance of wireless internet allowed online gambling, it challenged this law’s relevance.

The first change occurred in 2011 when the US Department of Justice decided to reverse the Wire Act and apply it solely to sports betting. From that moment on, the US began considering the legislation of online casino games, including blackjack.

However, in 2018, another reversal of the law made the online gambling regulation in the US complicated and unclear and put it in the so-called grey area.

All these moves finally resulted in the matter being reviewed by the federal court, meaning that the situation might officially change in the future. Until then, every state that took advantage of the loophole in 2011 now has legal online blackjack platforms.

The Problem Called UIGEA

Another problem standing between legal online blackjack platforms and many US states is the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act from 2006 (UIGEA). Namely, the act sounds as if it prohibits only gambling via the Internet.

Still, if read carefully, one could easily conclude that UIGEA doesn’t target US citizens at all. On the contrary, this Act forbids financial establishments to knowingly accept payments related to betting or wagering over the Internet. In other words, it is not explicitly mentioned that US citizens are prohibited from playing online blackjack, except in several states.

Yet, the governments of many states have misinterpreted this law and consider online casino games such as blackjack illegal. Consequently, not so many states went for online blackjack legislation, but the situation is hopefully changing for the better.

Online Blackjack in the US — State by State Guide

As you’ve noticed throughout the text, only a few US states currently allow its residents to play blackjack online legally. Below, you can read about each state that considers online blackjack games legal. Let’s take a look!

New Jersey

New Jersey is one of the states where you don’t have to wonder about the online blackjack’s legality. At the moment, the state is the largest market concerning regulated online gambling in the states.

New Jersey is home to various online gambling operators, and these states’ residents have a plethora of choices regarding online blackjack. Its online gambling bill is valid for three more years, after which it has to be renewed.

Delaware

Although not that prominent concerning size or popularity, Delaware stepped up in terms of online gambling and became the first to make it legal in 2012. Naturally, blackjack was one of the games that have been the most popular among the online casino community in the First State.

Apart from online blackjack, Delaware’s residents can participate in various other casino games, online poker, and sports wagering. In contrast, other states still lead an open discussion about whether online gambling is legal.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is proof that other US states should start with online gambling legislation as soon as possible. The process lasted for up to a couple of years; in Penn’s case, it started in 2017 and finished in 2019.

Apparently, there were online casino aficionados who’ve been waiting for Pennsylvania to legislate online blackjack. The available platforms work flawlessly, and players know that they can enjoy their favorite casino games without facing any legal consequences.

West Virginia

West Virginia comes as one of the latest innovations in the US online gambling market. However, the process of legalizing online casino games went much smoother than in Pennsylvania’s case. The legislation started in 2019 and ended in 2020 when the first online gambling platform got activated.

At the moment, there are several active platforms, but they haven’t yet reached peak popularity. However, concerning blackjack, players have nothing to worry about, as this is the game that will always be offered thanks to its world-known prominence.

Michigan

Michigan is the last state to legalize online casino gambling. Although no platforms have been launched yet, they are carefully planned and will start working as soon as vital regulatory bodies show thumbs up.

The end of 2020 is reserved for launching the first online casino platforms in Michigan. This opportunity has been given to each of the currently operating land-based casinos, provided they pay $50,000 for application and $100,000 for the license.

How to Play Online Blackjack Legally in the US

Before you dive into the world of online blackjack, the first thing you need to check is whether your state has legal permission to offer this activity. Yet, the good news is that online games of chance are not restricted only to state’s residents — they apply to anyone physically present within the state’s borders.

Therefore, if you’re living in a state where online gambling is not legal yet, all you have to do is visit one of those where it is officially allowed.

Once you find yourself in the online blackjack-friendly area, find the most appealing platform and create an online casino account. This is usually a straightforward process that will take only a few minutes of your time. Provide the necessary details and fund your online casino account by using a payment method of your choice. After the casino confirms your registration, you’re good to go!

Bottom Line

There’s still no need to envy US residents for their online gambling laws. Right now, only a few states have a regulated online gambling market with active casino sites where players can enjoy blackjack and other popular games.

Based on the current situation with online gambling in the US, we can’t be certain about what the future brings. The online gambling legislation is still not developing as fast as residents hope, but these states that have already been in this business bring hope that something might change for the better in years to come.

All in all, if you wish to take part in online blackjack games in the US, the options exist, so use them wisely. Good luck!

FAQ

Is online blackjack legal in the US?

At the moment of writing this text, online blackjack has been officially legal in these several states — New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Michigan.

What is the legal gambling age for US players?

Online blackjack fans living in the US have to be at least 21 to participate in online gambling activities.

Can US players claim online blackjack bonuses?

Yes, they can. Players from the US can claim a welcome bonus or any other promotional offer provided that the site of their choice offers one.

What are the most popular online blackjack games?

American Blackjack and European Blackjack are, by far, the most popular versions of this evergreen card game, with Blackjack Switch and Vegas Strip Blackjack standing right behind.

Contents

When it comes to gambling in the “Grand Canyon State,” the laws are a little more relaxed than in other states in the US. This does not make the state any different than others when it comes to online gambling, however. While land-based casinos are legal in Native American reservations, online casinos are still not allowed to operate within the state’s boundaries. That said, players can enjoy a convenient and straightforward gambling experience in offshore online casinos.

In this guide to the Arizona online gambling scene, we’re going to delve into the legality of online gambling in this state. We will also discuss the history of gambling in Arizona and what the future holds for the industry here. In addition, we will take a look at some of the land-based establishments available to players.

Top 5 Arizona Online Casinos

Is Online Gambling Legal in Arizona?

Arizona is one of the most “gambling-friendly” US states when it comes to land-based casinos. But things are not so great in the “Grand Canyon State” when it comes to gambling online. Discussions about the legalization of online casinos have been opened up many times, but no plans for such action are in place at the moment.

You can make an account in a legal online casino while you’re in Arizona. Some casinos even offer free games to players from states where online gambling is illegal. This way, you won’t be able to win any money, but you could have a blast if you’re in it for entertainment.

When all this is taken into account, offshore casinos are the best option for Arizona-based online gambling aficionados. There are many options when it comes to online casinos based in other countries, such as Panama, Costa Rica, Dominica, etc. Some of these casinos allow users from the United States to register, although we would still recommend using a VPN to protect your privacy.

History of Gambling in Arizona

The journey this state went through to get where it is today has been quite unique.

The Indian Regulatory Gaming Act of 1988 was instrumental in creating the Arizona casino scene. This is nothing out of the ordinary since most non-Las Vegas or Atlantic City casinos started this way, too.

If you’re not familiar with US gambling regulatory history, here’s what you need to know — this act essentially allowed Native American tribes to open and run casinos on reservation territories.

However, in order to obtain the license to operate, tribes had to negotiate agreements with state governments. Unfortunately, many tribes decided to open casinos on their reservations without negotiating with the state in the early ‘90s.

The National Indian Gaming Commission issued a statement in May 1992, clarifying that all tribes must have a signed agreement with the state of Arizona in order to operate slot machines legally. Since not all casinos complied, the state’s governor at the time asked the FBI to take action.

Fort McDowell Casino Raid

A huge moment in Arizona’s gambling history happened when the FBI decided to raid the Fort McDowell Casino operated by the Yavapai Indians. This was not a large casino — it had about 300 slot machines. At the time of the raid, several other casinos had their machines seized by the FBI, so the tribe was prepared to defend its property.

Federal agents converged on the casino on May 12, 1992. They began loading the slot machines into trailers to take them away. The tribe then used large vehicles and heavy-duty machinery to block the only entrance, preventing the agents from leaving with their slots.

After a tense few hours, the FBI agents finally agreed to leave without the machines, and the tribe managed to negotiate an agreement with the state a few weeks later. Arizona ended up signing deals with 22 of its tribes, 16 of which are still running at least one casino.

Future of Online Gambling in Arizona

As is the case with most US states, the law is a bit restrictive when it comes to gambling in the state of Arizona. There are, of course, a couple dozen Native American casinos that Arizona residents can drive to that offer excellent service to their customers. The problem is that most of these establishments are a few hours away for most people, as there aren’t any casinos in major urban centers like Tucson or Phoenix.

There’s also the option of taking a long trip to Vegas or flying there for the ultimate gambling experience. But if you’re just looking to play baccarat or poker casually on a weeknight, this is not the most practical proposition.

Thankfully, we live in a digital age and the unstoppable spread of the internet over the past couple of decades has led to a massive number of online casinos on the web.

These websites host a wide variety of casino games, offering traditional gambling experiences, as well as innovative twists. It is no surprise that online casinos are becoming increasingly popular among gamblers, thanks mainly to the sheer variety of games on offer.

Another reason for the popularity of online casinos is the fact that they usually offer much better deals than brick-and-mortar casinos. If you think about it, this shouldn’t come as a surprise. Land-based casinos generally have much higher costs of operation, having to spend more on staff and infrastructure. Since most of these costs do not exist for online casinos, they can afford to offer special deals and bonuses to their patrons.

Online casinos can also afford to spend more of their revenue on developing their sites and games, improving the overall user experience. Being able to hop from one casino to the other with just a few clicks allows users to always get the best deals.

The best promotional deals offer users free spins or a chance to get extra money once they make a deposit. Many reputable online establishments operate in Arizona, and there is stiff competition between them, which is always a good thing for the customers.

Gambling is a massive business in the state. Tribal casinos alone make more than $2 billion annually. Add the online market to that and you’ll realize that these numbers are much higher.

Are Blackjacks Legal In Arizona Now

In the United States as a whole, online gambling has reached epic proportions in terms of growth. The industry is estimated to grow by more than 8% until 2024 globally, with North America leading the charge.

The future of gambling in Arizona seems to be online, just like in the rest of the world. There’s a lot to look forward to if you’re an Arizonian who enjoys gambling, with new deals and game innovations popping up all the time.

Land-Based Casinos in Arizona

There are 23 land-based facilities operating in the state of Arizona at the moment. All these casinos are located on the territory of Indian reservations. There’s a variety of options in terms of available games, as long as you’re a fan of slot machines and other machine-based games such as video keno and video poker.

We’ve compiled a list of all Arizona land-based casinos below:

• Ak-Chin Indian Community
  • Harrah’s Ak-Chin Hotel and Casino

• Cocopah Tribe
  • Cocopah Casino Resort & Conference Center

Are Blackjacks Illegal

• Colorado River Indian Tribes
  • Blue Water Resort & Casino

• Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation
  • We-Ko-Pa Resort & Conference Center

• Fort Mojave Indian Tribe
  • Spirit Mountain Casino

• Fort Yuma-Quechan Tribe
  • Paradise Casino

• Gila River Indian Community
  • Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino
  • Lone Butte Casino
  • Vee Quiva Hotel & Casino

• Navajo Nation
  • Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort

• Pascua Yaqui Tribe
  • Casino of the Sun
  • Casino del Sol Resort

• Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community
  • Casino Arizona
  • Talking Stick Resort

• San Carlos Apache Tribe
  • Apache Gold Casino Resort

• Tohono O’odham Nation
  • Desert Diamond Tucson
  • Desert Diamond Sahuarita
  • Desert Diamond Why

• Tonto Apache Tribe
  • Mazatzal Hotel & Casino

• White Mountain Apache Tribe
  • Hon-Dah Resort Casino & Conference Center

• Yavapai-Apache Nation
  • Cliff Castle Casino Hotel

• Yavapai Prescott Indian Tribe
  • Yavapai Casino
  • Bucky’s Casino

FAQ

The state of Arizona does not regulate online casinos, but players can easily join offshore online casinos without fear of any legal repercussions or prosecution from the government. Residents can gamble in offshore casinos freely, but running online casinos is still illegal in the state.

Online poker is not legal or illegal since the state does not regulate poker sites. That said, residents of Arizona who play poker online for real money will not be prosecuted, which means you can safely register in an offshore poker room or play using a VPN.

Are Blackjacks Legal In Arizona

Residents need to be at least 18 years old to buy charitable bingo cards, scratch cards, or lottery tickets. If you plan on going to a tribal casino or betting at a pari-mutuel race, you’ll need to turn 21 first. The minimum age for online gamblers who want to try their luck in an offshore online casino is 18.