State of Arizona Gambling Law
Please find the AZ Senate Bill 1158 here that went into effect in fall 2021. While sports wagering is permissible under Arizona state law, coaches, staff, and student-athletes are still bound by NCAA rules relating to sports wagering.
NCAA Rules
NCAA legislation prohibits SDA student-athletes and staff members from gambling or wagering on any sport (amateur, professional, or otherwise) in which the NCAA conducts a championship or bowl game. The legislation defines wagering as any arrangement in which an individual agrees to give up anything of value (e.g., cash, shirt, meal) in exchange for the possibility of gaining another thing of value. Thus, the NCAA gambling prohibition would apply to pools or fantasy leagues that require fees to enter and provide entrants opportunities to win prizes or money. Additionally, SDA student-athletes and staff members are prohibited from:
- Providing any information (e.g., reports concerning team morale, game plans, or injuries to team members) to individuals involved in organized gambling activities (including informal pools) concerning intercollegiate athletics.
- Engaging in any activities designed to illegally influence the outcome of an intercollegiate contest (e.g., point-shaving).
An individual's failure to abide by this legislation can result in serious penalties such as permanent ineligibility for student-athletes and loss of employment for staff members. In addition to violating NCAA rules, providing any information to individuals involved in organized gambling activities is against the State of Arizona law.
For information relating to problem gambling, please visit the State of Arizona website relating to problem gambling found here.
For more information, click here for the NCAA's Don't Bet On It website or watch the video below: