Arizona Department of Gaming

PayNearMe Wins Approval to Process Online Sports Betting and iGaming Payments in Arizona

Published

4 years ago

September 23, 2021

Payments platform PayNearMe has announced that it has been approved by the Arizona Department of Gaming to provide its services to licensed operators in the state.

Barstool Sportsbook, Penn Interactive’s mobile sports betting app with nearly 70 million hits per month, has been accepting cash deposits at retail locations with PayNearMe since September 2020 and is now among the first to go live in Arizona with the company. PayNearMe has launched four clients in Arizona, and is actively working to enable additional operators across the state to accept players’ cash and electronic payment deposits.

“Players want a frictionless deposit experience, and PayNearMe’s iGaming solution helps operators improve the iGaming experience by enabling players to quickly and easily fund their accounts using any tender they choose — including Apple Pay and Google Pay — via a smartphone. As more states legalize online sports betting, PayNearMe’s technology and electronic cash network make it possible for operators to get up and running quickly in each new state,” Michael Kaplan, Chief Revenue Officer and General Manager at PayNearMe, said.

“We are ready to rapidly expand the Barstool Sportsbook & Casino app across the US in tandem with states legalizing sports betting. PayNearMe’s technology makes it possible for us to quickly begin accepting cash deposits as states go live,” Jake Francis, Sr. Director of Operations at Penn Interactive, said.

Managing deposits and payouts is a complex process that requires technology designed specifically for the iGaming industry.

“We have deep expertise in the gaming industry and have worked closely with the Arizona Department of Gaming to ensure our service is compliant with all applicable statutory requirements,” Connor McNulty, Senior Regulatory Counsel and BSA/AML/OFAC Compliance Officer at PayNearMe, said.

2026 betting analysis

Arizona Department of Gaming Releases December Sports Betting Figures

Published

1 week ago

February 23, 2026

Wladimir P.

arizona-department-of-gaming-releases-december-sports-betting-figures

Bettors in Arizona wagered approximately $822 million on sports and events in December 2025, according to a recent report from the Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG).

This total reflects an approximate 3% year-over-year decrease compared to December 2024, marking a slight pullback in betting activity.

Despite the decrease in handle, the report highlights that the state collected roughly $6.6 million in privilege fees during December, contributing to Arizona’s continued revenue from regulated event wagering. Since launching legal sports betting in 2021, bettors in the state have wagered more than $31 billion, generating over $165 million in privilege fees to date.

For the fiscal year 2026 year-to-date, regulated event wagering and fantasy sports have generated about $33 million in privilege fees, including $32.3 million from sports betting and $774,167 from fantasy sports activity.

Jackie Johnson, Director of the Arizona Department of Gaming, noted that the December figures conclude the 2025 calendar year, during which Arizona sports bettors wagered more than $9 billion on sports and events, further demonstrating the size and scale of the state’s regulated betting market.

The Department’s monthly reports detail wagering and fantasy sports revenue figures from licensed operators, offering transparency into the evolving sports betting landscape in Arizona.

Disclaimer: December figures are self-reported by operators and may be adjusted after audit.

Full report available at gaming.az.gov/resources/reports

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Arizona

Arizona Department of Gaming Marks Fifth Super Bowl of Legal Sports Betting — November Wagers Top $965M

Published

4 weeks ago

February 5, 2026

Wladimir P.

arizona-department-of-gaming-marks-fifth-super-bowl-of-legal-sports-betting-—-november-wagers-top-$965m

The Arizona Department of Gaming today highlighted a major milestone: the upcoming Super Bowl will be the fifth played under Arizona’s legal, state-regulated sports wagering framework. Since regulated event wagering launched in 2021, Arizona’s oversight—guided by state law and Tribal-State Compacts—has aimed to protect consumers, preserve integrity, and generate public revenue.

Key November 2025 figures: strong wagering growth

In its latest monthly report, the Department said Arizona bettors wagered approximately $965 million on sports and events in November 2025 — about a 7.5% increase versus November 2024. The state collected roughly $5.5 million in privilege fees for the month.* Fiscal year-to-date privilege fees total $26.3 million (about $25.7M from event wagering and $637,399 from fantasy sports).

Arizona also recorded its highest monthly event wagering in October 2025 with $967,141,269, and the second-highest in November 2025 with $965,233,844.*

Regulated framework and consumer protections

Arizona’s regulated model requires licensed operators to follow statutory rules, Tribal-State Compacts, and ongoing regulatory oversight. The Department conducts audits, compliance reviews, and integrity controls designed to prevent fraud and illegal activity. Licensed event wagering operators remit privilege fees, calculated as a percentage of gaming revenue — with 90% of those fees directed to Arizona’s General Fund to support state programs and priorities.

There are currently fourteen licensed event wagering operators approved to offer wagering in Arizona, each subject to ongoing Department review and potential audit adjustments.

Responsible play and support resources

The Department emphasizes the importance of using state-licensed event wagering and fantasy sports apps or retail locations. For guidance and safety tips, players are encouraged to visit Check Your Bet at gaming.az.gov/checkyourbet.

For individuals and families affected by problem gambling, the Department’s Division of Problem Gambling offers confidential, subsidized treatment and resources statewide at problemgambling.az.com.

* Disclaimer: Monthly operator figures are self-reported and subject to adjustment after Department audits and review. The Department does not guarantee the final accuracy of the self-reported totals.

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ADG

Arizona Department of Gaming Names Juan Carlos Estrada as Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts Executive Director

Published

1 month ago

January 22, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

arizona-department-of-gaming-names-juan-carlos-estrada-as-boxing-and-mixed-martial-arts-executive-director

Two decades of agency experience inform Executive Director’s new post

The Arizona Department of Gaming (Department) announced that it has appointed Juan Carlos Estrada as Executive Director, Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts (BMMA). A long time employee of the Department with roles spanning regulation and operations, including for high-profile boxing and mixed martial arts events and activities, Estrada will now serve as Executive Director of BMMA and will also continue to hold the position of Assistant Director of BMMA and Racing.

The Department’s Division of Boxing and MMA supports the Arizona State Boxing and MMA Commission in its regulation of unarmed combat sporting events taking place in Arizona, including licensing fighters, referees, judges, inspectors, and physicians. The Commission licensed over 1,027 fighters, promoters, and event officials in Fiscal Year 2025, while overseeing 28 events, including nine events that were also televised worldwide.

“Over the past decade, Juan Carlos Estrada has served in various capacities regulating the unarmed combat sports industry in Arizona supervising hundreds of boxing, mixed martial arts and muay thai events,” said Jackie Johnson, Director, Arizona Department of Gaming. “He has earned a reputation for a balanced and transparent approach as a state regulator, and I’m thrilled to congratulate him on this milestone.”

With past roles since 2004 including Investigator, Racing Steward, and Employee Certification Unit Supervisor, Estrada has continued to work collaboratively and across divisions to promote fair and effective regulation. In the Executive Director position, he will serve as the direct liaison between the Arizona Boxing and MMA Commission and the Department, and will lead all responsibilities and initiatives with respect to unarmed combat sports – ensuring the health and safety of participants and enforcing applicable laws and rules.

“I’m humbled to accept my appointment as the Executive Director of Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts,” said Estrada. “I want to sincerely thank the promoters, athletes, officials, and my colleagues for the trust and confidence they have given me over the years. I’m looking forward to continuing to serve the public while ensuring that contests are safe, fair, and regulated.”

A Native Arizonan, Estrada has given back to his community by volunteering for the City of Phoenix Police and Fire departments while continuing his leadership at the Department and attaining professional development in the industry. His experience includes working with organizations like the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), King of the Cage, Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA), and numerous regional and local promotions.

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