The state Senate is expected this week to take up a proposal to allow sports betting in Arizona. This comes a few years after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled laws banning it were unconstitutional, and also after other states have started allowing residents to gamble on sports.
The provision is also part of new gaming compacts the state is negotiating with its Native American tribes, which Gov. Doug Ducey announced in January.
To talk about what to expect in the coming week, The Show spoke with Howard Fischer of Capitol Media Services.
A Democratic state senator from Tucson says bills to legalize off-reservation sports gambling will hurt Arizona tribes. The proposed legislation would allow fantasy sports wagers and betting on individual games. State Sen. Sally Ann Gonzales says they’re evidence of Ducey’s heavy-handed negotiations with most of Arizona’s 23 tribes.
"These bills will negatively affect many rural indigenous communities and target millennials and athletes," Gonzales said.
Gonzales says she’s unhappy with fellow Democratic lawmakers who’ve voted with the governor. She says it’s hard to understand their actions.
