Arizona takes gamble on off-track sports betting
CBS 13's April Hettinger talks with the legislature who introduced the bill
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Arizona sports fans, get ready to place your bets. A touchdown or a home run could mean money in your pocket with this new bill that legalizes sports betting.
Gov. Doug Ducey recently signed a new gaming bill into law, introduced by Rep. Tim Dunn from Yuma.
"There's a lot of apps that people like to do for the fantasy sports betting, DraftKings, those kind of things. It allows for being able to bet from your phone for horse racing, those kind of things," Rep. Dunn said. "It just brings us into the 21st century."
The bill includes a minimum tax rate of 8% which could bring extra dollars to the state.
"The budget committee estimates about $100 million just on the fantasy sports side, and this gaming bill that is separate from the gaming compact with the tribes," Rep. Dunn stated.
The Indian Gaming Compact was an agreement passed over 20 years ago.
Now it helps local tribes like Cocopah or the Quechan get sports betting machines.
Sports fan, John Hawn is looking forward to the economic boost it will bring.
"You're talking about sports," Hawn explained. "I think it's terrific that you could make a sports bet, and once again, bottom line is increase employment. It'd be great jobs for a lot of people."
Dollars and employment are two factors that helped this bill get a bipartisan vote of 48 to 12 in the Arizona House.
Sports fans like Hawn couldn't be more excited.
"There's nothing like our family when we bet on the Masters, the golf tournament and you watch it even though the pot could be $10," Hawn said.
This is also good news for stadiums and sporting arenas.
"It allows the teams to have their own contracts so they'll be able to bet at the Cardinals stadium," Rep. Dunn said.
Kiosks for betting can now be at any Arizona sporting event with more than 15,000 people. This includes the Cardinals, Suns, Diamondbacks, car racing, Phoenix open, horse races and rodeos.
Tonight on 13 On Your Side, April Hettinger addresses the economic aspect of the bill with Rep. Dunn.
