Arizona sports betting regulators took the proactive step of releasing guidelines for taking part in Super Bowl betting responsibly.
The Arizona Department of Gaming released information Wednesday on how to ensure Super Bowl betting is legal and safe. With the American Gaming Association estimating Americans will bet more than $7 billion on the Super Bowl, the advice could be useful across US sports betting.
The ADG releases responsible gaming information once a year, usually around big events like the Super Bowl or March Madness, ADG spokesperson Max Hartgraves said.
“The intent is to remind people how to gamble legally, particularly social gambling sports pools like Super Bowl squares,” Hartgraves said. “With sports betting now legal in the state, we also used this as an opportunity to promote responsible gambling measures.
“As the Department also houses the Division of Problem Gambling, we are always trying to get the word out on how individuals can gamble responsibly and share our problem gambling resources available in the state.”
Responsible Super Bowl betting practices
As it is the first year with legal AZ sports betting apps for the Super Bowl, the ADG laid out the key pieces of the AGA’s “Have A Game Plan. Bet Responsibly.” campaign.
The responsible betting tips include:
- Set a budget — Bettors should not play with more than they can afford to lose.
- Keep it social — Betting is entertainment.
- Know the odds — Know the important pieces of sports betting terminology.
- Use legal sportsbooks — Do not place bets on illegal, unregulated sportsbooks.
Super Bowl pool betting can be legal
The ADG also provided responsible, legal guidelines to bet amongst coworkers and friends, at least in Arizona.
Those rules include:
- Hosts cannot receive a financial benefit.
- Hosts pay out all pool money.
- Only participants can win.
- Players compete on equal terms.
Arizona betting pools cannot have the following:
- Include a fee to participate.
- Hosts that keep a percentage of the pool.
- Required minimum purchase to participate.
- Unequal odds.
- Underage participants, which is 21 in Arizona.
Quick Arizona sports betting start
Arizona sports betting launched Sept. 9, 2021, and quickly became one of the strongest legal US sports betting debuts. After opening with seven operators, another seven online sportsbooks started taking bets.
First three months of AZ sports betting handle:
- September: $291.2 million
- October: $486.1 million
- November: $466 million
The ADG should release December sports betting revenue report at the end of February.
