A few notable findings stood out in the Arizona Department of Gaming’s annual report for fiscal year 2022, which covers the period from July 2021 through June 2022.
Firstly, the ADG’s Division of Problem Gambling spent well over $1 million in FY 2022 on problem gambling treatment.
Secondly, all horse racing tracks in Arizona held live events in FY 2022, marking the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country in spring 2020.
Lastly, the boxing and mixed martial arts (MMA) industry experienced a significant rebound in FY 2022. The state hosted nearly two dozen more fights compared to the previous fiscal year.
People make quarterly payments for the state
Arizona is home to twenty-two federally-recognized Native American tribes, sixteen of which offer casino gambling. The remaining six tribes lease their slot machine gaming rights to casinos. While online gambling is growing in the state, Arizona casinos are still prohibited.
Since the passage of Proposition 202 in 2002, individuals are required to make quarterly payments to the state based on a percentage of their gross gaming revenues. In FY 2022, the total contribution from the tribes was $123.6 million.
The majority of the funds (88%) are allocated to the Arizona Benefits Fund, which supports education, healthcare, wildlife, and tourism services. The remaining 12% goes to cities, towns, and counties where casinos are located. The contribution in FY 2022 amounted to $15.1 million.
Over $1. 1 thousand spent on take care of problem wagering
Every year, the ADG allocates 2% of the Arizona Benefits Fund to the Division of Problem Gambling (DPG) to fund treatment and education programs for problem gambling. The DPG’s mission is to provide support, prevention, and treatment for those affected by problem gambling and their families.
In FY 2022, over $1.1 million was spent on problem gambling treatment in the state. The DPG allocated a total of $1.76 million in FY 2022 for treatments and operational expenses. The DPG also provided 32 hours of training sessions to treatment providers, and they assisted 816 individuals.
Of the 2,152 active self-exclusions in Arizona in FY 2022, there were 363 new enrollments during the year.
Support provided by the DPG for individuals struggling with problem gambling includes:
- Education through exhibits and conferences
- Counseling, professional treatment, and a 24/7 helpline
- Voluntary casino self-exclusion programs
Rushing division found increases in the gross
Arizona saw significant growth in its racing division in FY 2022. Live races witnessed a 7% increase from 2021. The growth was observed across the board, including simulcast events, teletracking, on-track, and off-track handle.
State revenues from racing increased by 23.2% compared to 2021. The total gambling handle in FY 2022 reached $355.4 million, with the state receiving a $1.8 million share, representing a 22.5% increase from 2021.
Boxing and TRAINING FOR MMA on the rise inside Arizona
Funding for boxing and mixed martial arts (MMA) in the state comes from the Racing Control Fund. In FY 2022, a total of $1.8 million was allocated for this purpose.
The ADG’s Boxing & MMA Division supports and regulates unarmed combat sports in Arizona and prioritizes safety for participants and fighters. This division also contributes revenue from event and license fees, as well as other tax revenues, back to the Racing Control Fund.
In FY 2022, there were 23 more boxing and MMA events compared to 2021. The funding for FY 2023 has been increased to $2.3 million. The average funding over the last three years has been around $1.8 million.
Here is a breakdown of the different events from 2022 according to the ADG:
- Illinois title deal with: 1
- Fresh promoters: some
- US/regional subject fights: 6th
- World subject fights: 6th
- Arizona incidents televised across the world: 8
- Total events held: 32
Aleeyah resides in Toronto, Ontario, and has been actively involved in the poker industry since 2015. From writing to interviewing big winners and providing live reporting on poker’s most significant events, she has experienced it all. Aleeyah enjoys cooking, creating content, and showcasing her passion for food and travel. She also loves sriracha and doesn’t trust anyone who believes it’s not a top-tier condiment.
