ARIZONA STATE SENATE
RESEARCH STAFF
TO: MEMBERS OF THE SENATE
APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE
DATE: March 25, 2022
SUBJECT: Strike everything amendment to H.B. 2456, relating to event; wagering
Purpose
Requires the Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) to issue or renew an event wagering
operator license to a professional sports team licensee or applicant if professional events are
currently hosted at a temporary sports facility and the primary sports facility is under construction
or maintenance or a new primary sports facility is under construction.
Background
In 2021, the Legislature authorized event wagering according to prescribed regulations
administered by the ADG (Laws 2021, Ch. 234). The ADG may not issue more than: 1) 10 event
wagering operator licenses to applicants other than Indian tribes; and 2) 10 event wagering operator
licenses to Indian tribes in Arizona if the Indian tribe receiving a license has signed the most recent
tribal-state gaming compact and any applicable appendices or amendments.
The ADG must only issue an event wagering operator license, for an applicant other than
an Indian tribe, to: 1) an Arizona professional sports team or franchise; 2) the operator of a sports
facility that hosts an annual tournament on the PGA Tour; 3) the promoter of a national association
for stock car auto racing national touring race conducted in Arizona; or 4) the owner's, operator's
or promoter's designee contracted to operate both retail event wagering at a sports facility or
complex and mobile event wagering throughout Arizona.
A license issued by the ADG authorizes the event wagering operator to offer event
wagering in Arizona through: 1) an event wagering facility within a prescribed radius of a sports
facility depending on proximity to Indian lands; and 2) event wagering through a mobile platform
as specified by the ADG. An event wagering license may not be renewed if it is determined by the
ADG that the event wagering operator has not substantially complied with statutes governing the
operation of event wagering (A.R.S. ยง 5-1304).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this
legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires the ADG to issue or renew an event wagering operator license to a professional sports
team licensee or applicant if all of the following apply:
a) the licensee or applicant hosts sports events at a facility that does not meet the definition
of a sports facility, but the licensees or applicant meets all other statutory requirements
governing event wagering;
b) the licensee's or applicant's professional sports team is currently hosting professional sports
events in a temporary sports facility located in Arizona with a seating capacity of fewer
than 10,000 persons;
JASON THEODOROU
LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH ANALYST
COMMERCE COMMITTEE
Telephone: (602) 926-3171 STRIKER MEMO
H.B. 2456
Page 2
c) the professional sports team's primary sports facility requires construction or maintenance
or the professional sports team is constructing a new primary sports facility; and
d) the licensee or applicant holds an event wagering operator license on the general effective
date.
2. Allows an event wagering operator licensee that is licensed in accordance with the temporary
sports facility authorization to advertise on and within the premises of the licensee's temporary
sports facility.
3. Makes technical and conforming changes.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.