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Arizona Lawmakers Consider Legalizing Sports Betting Outside Of Tribal Casinos

Lawmakers are moving to expand gambling on Arizona’s tribal lands and throughout the state.

Members of the Senate Appropriation Committee approved a measure Tuesday that would permit most tribes to take bets on professional and amateur sporting events at tribal casinos and at multiple off-site locations including bars and VFW posts.

However, all but one tribe in Arizona has objected to the expansion.

"We do not support expanded gaming in bars and restaurants which could result in mini casinos across the state,” said Larry Jackson of the Yavapai-Apache Nation. “Such a result would not only hurt the nation on-reservation casinos but is a drastic change in Arizona gaming policies, which Arizonans do not support."

The Navajo Nation is the only tribe supporting the legislation.

A lobbyist for the tribe, said it would help offset an expected $70 million loss in tribal revenues and job losses from the anticipated closure of the Navajo Generating Station.

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Holliday Moore was a reporter at KJZZ from 2017 to 2020.