Online Phoenix Poker Rooms in AZ
As the capital and the most populous city in Arizona, Phoenix is the central hub for poker in the Grand Canyon State.
However, as Arizona doesn’t feature a regulated online poker scene, players must look elsewhere.
Numerous offshore poker sites offer their services to Phoenix poker fans, and because of the lack of proper laws, players are not prosecuted if they play on those sites.
- Best Online Poker Sites in Phoenix
- Is Online Poker Legal in Phoenix?
- Phoenix, AZ Poker Laws
- How to Choose the Best Phoenix Poker Site
- Benefits of Playing Online Poker in Phoenix
- Famous Poker Pros From Phoenix
- Arizona Land-Based Poker Rooms
- FAQs
Let’s take a closer look at how this works, how to find the leading poker sites, which ones we recommend, and everything else you need to know about poker in the Valley of the Sun.
Best Online Poker Sites in Phoenix, Arizona
Arizona is home to over 7.2 million people, so it’s only natural for many international poker sites to offer their services to its residents. Unfortunately, not all of these are good, and what’s worse, you should avoid some altogether.
To sidestep the hassle, refer to our list of the top poker sites for Phoenix players. We recommend sites with reputable licenses, excellent online reputations, high player traffic, lots of cash games, regular tournaments and lucrative bonuses.
The list will occasionally change as we are bound to find novel sites worthy of a spot on it. Come back periodically to see if some exciting new platform warrants consideration.
My list of the best US poker sites which I consider to be the best rooms to play in 2023:
- BetOnline Poker
- Ignition Poker
- Everygame Poker
- Juicy Stakes Poker
- Americas Cardroom
- Bovada Poker
- BlackChip Poker
- SportsBetting Poker
100% Legal & Licensed Verified Bonus Mobile Friendly Advertiser Disclosure. Must be +18 to participate.
Is Online Poker Legal in Phoenix, AZ?
Online poker is in a legal gray area in Arizona, as in most US states. There is no specific law regulating it, but there are also no laws that specifically ban online poker, online gambling, or offshore poker sites.
The only legal forms of gambling in Arizona are tribal casinos, horse and dog racing, and the official Arizona lottery.
Tribal casinos are of interest to us, as they also offer live poker tables and tournaments. They can operate on tribal lands under the famous federal law, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) of 1988.
Besides offering a wide range of table games, some Indian casinos even have online games on their websites.
It’s important to know that even though online poker isn’t explicitly mentioned in any Arizona law, gambling is defined and deemed illegal under Arizona Revised Statutes Title 13. Criminal Code, sections 13-3301, 13-3304, and 13-3303 could be construed as defining online poker as illegal, but opinions differ as the law is unclear.
However, these sections effectively permit social poker games as they explicitly list social gambling as an exception.
Phoenix, AZ Poker Laws
If you’re serious about playing online poker with real money, reviewing your local and federal laws is crucial. Here’s a list of regulations you should check:
- Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) of 1988
- Arizona Revised Statutes Title 13. Criminal Code
- Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006
How to Choose the Best Phoenix Poker Site
All poker sites look the same until you start digging deeper. Doing that is essential because certain features and aspects of the site will show you how good it is and whether it’s worth joining.
The following is a list of the crucial features all poker sites share and the ones you should consider when choosing a platform.
Licensing and Security
You won’t find a poker site licensed by the state of Arizona, but you will come across other licenses. It’s essential to check which authority licenses your chosen website, as all great poker sites have permits from reputable regulatory bodies.Not having a proper license or having fake permit information is a red flag, so check who regulates the platform and whether the license numbers are legit. You can do that on the official site of the licensing body.
This guarantees the site is safe and has proper security measures like SSL encryption, which ensures your data is protected from malicious parties on the web.
Cash Games and Tournaments
Most poker sites have the top cash games — Texas Hold’em and Omaha. However, great platforms have other, less famous variants like Razz, 7 Card Stud, and Zone Poker.As for tournaments, it’s best to have access to a constant lineup of competitions, which should include daily and weekly contests.
Rake and Player Traffic
Leading poker rooms are known for high player traffic; you always want that because it ensures you’ll have enough opponents at any time of day. Moreover, a site like this will have enough participants of all skill levels, making it ideal for both beginners and pro players.Diverse rake levels usually accompany high traffic, so both casual players and high rollers will have something to enjoy.
Bonuses and Promotions
Most offshore poker sites have a variety of bonuses and promotions nowadays, but not all are good. These offers need to be both lucrative and diverse. You want a wide range of ongoing promotions like cashbacks, reloads, and freerolls but also a hefty welcome package.To ensure the bonuses are worthwhile, you’ll have to look at what they offer and what kind of terms they come with.
Banking Options
Offshore poker sites cater to an international audience, not just players from Phoenix and the rest of Arizona. This means that they might not always have US-friendly payment options.You have to check which methods they offer, but you’ll also need to look at their minimum and maximum limits, fees, and transaction speed.
Desktop and Mobile Sites and Apps
Poker sites are usually optimized for a wide range of devices. They often have dedicated clients you can download and install on your desktop computer, laptop, iPhone, or Android device.However, this is not assured, so it’s essential to check that this cross-device compatibility exists and that the site works properly on the devices you want to use it on.
Customer Support
The quality of customer support matters, so check that there are ample ways of reaching them, including a live chat, and then check their responsiveness, promptness, and more.Benefits of Playing Online Poker in Phoenix, Arizona
Playing poker online in Phoenix comes with several benefits, so let’s look at the main ones a bit more closely:
- Offshore poker sites are on 24/7 and have active players at all times.
- You can play various cash games and participate in tournaments with high prize pools.
- You only need a relatively modern computer or smartphone and an active connection to use the site, meaning you can play from the comfort of your home or on the go.
- There’s no need to travel to one of the few poker rooms with a limited number of games you’ll find in Phoenix. You can stay in your home and have a lot more cash game variety and opponents of various skill levels.
- Unlike land-based rooms, online poker sites offer bonuses and promotions for both new and existing players.
Famous Poker Pros From Phoenix, AZ
One of the most famous players from Phoenix is Tom Schneider, a pro with as many as four WSOP bracelets. His recorded earnings from WSOP, WPT, and online gaming surpass $2.4 million.
There’s also Michael Wattel, with even higher earnings of $3.3 million and two WSOP bracelets.
Ryan Hughes should also be mentioned, as he has two bracelets and total winnings of around $3 million.
Other players with high earnings include:
- Corey Hochman — $1.6 million
- Thomas ‘Thunder’ Keller — $1.4 million
- Thomas Zanot — $1.1 million
Best Land-Based Poker Rooms in Phoenix, AZ
The only land-based poker rooms in Phoenix operate on tribal land. Arizona is famous for having the most tribal land of all US states, making up 27% of the state’s territory. As many as 17 tribes inhabit it, while 15 operate at least one casino.
Arizona signed compacts with them in 2002, allowing them to operate hour-banked poker. In 2016, ten of them had their agreements renegotiated, and they were allowed to offer even more games. The new deal increased the number of poker tables from 100 to 105 in casinos near Phoenix.
Bear in mind that the betting cap in the state is $500.
Out of the 11 poker rooms found in casinos throughout the state, four live poker rooms are in or around Phoenix. There are two more in Tucson and two more in the north and northeast.
Here’s the list of live poker rooms in the city of Phoenix:
Poker room | Address | Number of tables | Tournaments |
Talking Stick Resort | 9700 East Indian Bend Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85256 | 47 | Yes |
Desert Diamond Casino West Valley | 9431 W. Northern Ave., Glendale, AZ 85305 | 36 | No |
Gila River Casino – Lone Butte | 1077 S. Kyrene Rd, Chandler, AZ 85226 | 30 | Yes |
Harrah’s Ak-Chin | 15406 Maricopa Road, Maricopa, AZ 85139 | 9 | No |
FAQ
Is online poker legal in Phoenix, Arizona?
Can I play poker online in Arizona?
Are there any land-based poker rooms in Phoenix, AZ?
When will online poker be legal in Arizona?
Can I claim bonuses on Phoenix poker sites?
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