How Soccer Betting is Growing in Arizona | MLA, Local Teams and Online Trends
How Soccer Betting is Growing in Arizona – Local Teams, MLS Action, and Online Wagering Trends
Much like in many other states in the U.S., soccer may not have been the first sport you think of when you think of Arizona, especially since it was always overshadowed by the state’s love for football and basketball. However, things are changing, and in recent years, there has been a rise in local clubs and more demand for coverage of global tournaments.
This, coupled with the increase in popularity of legal online sportsbooks, has created a perfect environment for soccer betting to flourish in the Grand Canyon State. If you’re looking for a reliable and secure platform to start your safe and legal venture in gaming, ArizonaBettingHub offers a trusted guide into the emerging soccer landscape.
The Rise of International Soccer in Arizona
Aside from the popularity of specific local clubs, it must be said that soccer is still very much in its infancy in Arizona, so much so that it doesn't even have a Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise of its own. However, with the increasing local enthusiasm for the sport and the emergence of these online platforms, there is a new level of engagement that is shifting the tides.
There’s a very noticeable rise in in-state demand for bets on the MLS, the English Premier League, UEFA Champions League, and other major soccer events across Arizona’s sportsbook landscape.
With easy mobile access to these sportsbooks, fans are exploring the betting market and involving themselves in the dynamics of the game. These betting types allow users to delve deeper into the workings, formations and mechanics of the sport.
The Legal Kick-Off: When did it happen?
If you’re also surprised at this sudden rise in online betting popularity, you should know that it’s also a relatively recent occurrence. In 2021, Governor Doug Ducey signed a House Bill that paved the way for tribal casinos and sports teams to partner with platform operators and offer this experience for anyone of legal age (21+).
Naturally, this was all monitored by the backbone of betting in the state, the Arizona Department of Gaming, who take care of the oversight and compliance across all gaming platforms.
Smart Play Equals Smart Plan
When launching such a new project on the scale of a whole state one must be vigilant and careful and ensure that everything is done within the law, and that users are protected and free from any dangers.
Technology has a big part to play in this since it’s not only there to offer the technical foundations of the operation itself, but it is also used to safeguard the privacy and security of the people engaging with this new landscape.
These are just some of the ways in which smart tools played a role in the rise of online betting in Arizona, and as a result, the increase in popularity of soccer.
Identity and Age Verification - State law in Arizona states that you must be 21 or over to place bets in sports betting, and the only way for operators to regulate this is by using digital ID systems that confirm user identity.
Geolocation Technology - This state-of-the-art technology ensures that the only players placing bets are physically within the state line of Arizona. This is achieved through the use of GPS, IP tracking, and anti-VPN protocols, which block unauthorized access.
Live Betting Interfaces - This great feature allows users to place bets as matches are happening live, which is a very intimate process with the game itself, as wagers respond in real-time to what happens in the game.
Option to Cash-Out - If you’re a player and you want to lock in profits or cut some losses, the ability to settle bets early is naturally a good thing to have.
Rising like Phoenix
It would be hard to talk about this increase in popularity of the sport without dedicating some time to Phoenix Rising FC in the USL Championship. The club started out with a cult following and has now become incredibly popular especially after their celebrated 2023 USL Championship win.
With clubs like Phoenix Rising and others rising in popularity whilst pushing for MLS expansion considerations, fan bases keep growing and more people try out online sportsbooks.
Final Whistle
The dynamic between sport, sportsbook, and regulating authority, has created a great space for lovers of the sport to form what could be a new side of sports in the Grand Canyon State.
Backed by smart tools, regulations for responsible gaming, platforms to engage with the sport and the spectacle itself, Arizona soccer fans are slowly building a new name for themselves in the world of soccer in the US.