According to the Arizona Department of Gaming, the amount of money wagered on sports in the state for the month of October 2025 comes in at around $967 million. This represents a 22% increase from the previous year and shows just how far sports betting and gambling as a whole have evolved in the market.
As we settle into a new year, industry stakeholders are having to confront how these figures might shift in 2026. It also raises questions about how incoming gambling regulations across the country might affect it.
A New Way to Bet
Anyone who follows the betting sector will tell you that things have been evolving for a long time, specifically with the rise of the internet. One of the ways this has manifested has been with the ability to access online betting platforms outside of your immediate area. 20 or 30 years ago, Arizona residents were limited to only the platforms in their state unless they traveled for this purpose, and now, they have more access.
In fact, a look at the stats for offshore betting sites shows that they are gaining more users than ever before. This provides a world of opportunity for both the platforms and their users. Still, we can see that certain forms of gambling remain popular, such as sports betting. With billions of dollars spent during major tournaments like the Super Bowl and major endorsements from top stars, consumers are spoiled for choice (source: https://esportsinsider.com/us/gambling/offshore-casinos).
And this is even before we consider the access even beyond consumers’ immediate locale. In different states across the US and beyond, sports betting and iGaming revenue are steadily increasing, and this has had some interesting regulatory implications. Some places, like Alberta, are implementing new laws to encourage the iGaming and sports betting sector, while others are clamping down on it and rejecting it outright.
The Feedback of Stakeholders
While some have been in favour of the gambling sector, especially iGaming, seeing regulatory support, others are pushing back against it. Supporters argue that the revenue generated from the industry can be used to find worthwhile projects in various states. In October, for example, the Arizona government collected $5.2 million in privilege fees before even factoring in the amounts taken in taxes.
If more states work to attract the industry and legalize various forms of gambling, the same benefits can be enjoyed, which is what many stakeholders are hoping for. At the same time, more states instituting these laws means that there will be more competition for consumers’ limited funds.
Those who turn to offshore platforms, for example, might then choose to spend their money on sites located in their own states. This means that over time, the revenue reported across the different US states will be different.
In 2026, however, many expect the amount spent on sports betting and other forms of betting in Arizona to increase, along with the tax revenue collected.
