WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SB 1848

amusements; 2026-2027.

57th Legislature - Second Regular Session Introduced by Dave Farnsworth

The bill modernizes funding and oversight for amusements and gaming by consolidating fees into the Event Wagering Fund, creating subaccounts, and funding regulation and problem gam

DP
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 1848

Overview

SB 1848, introduced in the Arizona Senate (57th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session, 2026), amends several statutes related to amusements, gaming, and related funds, and includes appropriations and transitional provisions. The bill reorganizes and reallocates certain fees and funds tied to boxing, unarmed combat, fantasy sports, event wagering, and other regulated activities, and introduces temporary regulatory changes for horse racing and first-time starters.

Main purpose and intent

  • Modernize and consolidate funding and fee structures for regulated amusements and gaming activities.
  • Create and reallocate subaccounts within the event wagering fund to support regulation, enforcement, and problem gambling programs.
  • Establish a regulatory framework for event wagering and fantasy sports with associated fees and transfers to the general fund.
  • Provide transitional arrangements, including a temporary regulatory assessment and modified horse racing requirements for 2026-2027.

Key provisions and changes

  • Section 4-120: Maintains liquor licenses fund, with annual deposits limited to appropriated amounts and a cap on end-of-year carryover ($700,000 reverts to general fund).
  • Section 5-226 (boxing/unarmed combat):
    • Promoters must pay 4% of gross receipts after tax withholding within 10 days.
    • Requires verified gross receipts and potential audited financials prepared by a CPA under GAAP.
    • Creates an unarmed combat subaccount within the Racing Regulation Fund; monthly reporting to the Department of Administration; deposits into the Event Wagering Fund per Section 5-1318.
    • Complements existing licensing and revenue collection, with specific handling of complimentary tickets (tax-exempt up to 2% or 75 tickets, whichever is greater).
  • Section 5-230: License fees for unarmed combat licenses are deposited into the unarmed combat subaccount in the Event Wagering Fund; licenses expire after 365 days with renewal rules and a 30-day grace period; medical examinations for combatants expire after 365 days with potential 15-day alignment grace period.
  • Section 5-238: Authority to withhold purses for sham or non-competitive contests; requires prompt notice and a hearing; withholdings remitted to the director for allocation.
  • Section 5-1211: Fantasy sports fees:
    • Department must set a fee up to 10% of adjusted revenues; consider tribal compact terms.
    • Monthly reporting and remittance; late payments incur a 5% monthly penalty up to 25%.
    • Fees deposited into the Fantasy Sports Contest Event Wagering Fund.
  • Section 5-1212 repealed; funds transferred to the Event Wagering Fund under new structure (Sec. 5-1318).
  • Section 5-1318 (Event Wagering Fund):
    • Establishes a fee (up to 10% of adjusted gross event wagering receipts) and allows cash or modified accrual accounting.
    • Revenues deposited into the Event Wagering Fund; monthly transfers to the state general fund (90% of prior month’s deposits).
    • Establishes an Unarmed Combat Subaccount funded by license fees and other sources; department oversight and monthly reporting.
    • Allocates up to 10% of annual regulatory costs to support department enforcement; up to $500,000 annually for problem gambling programs; allows grants from designated funds and private/ federal sources.
  • Section 8 (Regulatory assessment for 2026-2027): Department of Gaming to impose a 0.5% regulatory assessment on commercial racing permittees, deducted from pari-mutuel pools.
  • Section 9 (Horse racing pilot for 2026-2027): Allows first-time starter horses to race if gate-approved and with at least two timed workouts, including an out-of-gate workout within 60 days of the race; provision repeals after Dec 31, 2027.

Who and what is affected

  • Boxing/unarmed combat promoters, combatants, managers, and event organizers.
  • Fantasy sports operators and fans (fee structures and reporting).
  • Event wagering operators and permittees, including funds management and problem gambling program funding.
  • Department of Gaming, state treasury, and related regulatory and enforcement activities.
  • Horse racing stakeholders, particularly first-time starters, under a temporary pilot program.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective for 2026-2027 in several provisions, including the regulatory assessment and the horse racing pilot.
  • Repeal of 5-1212 and transfer of funds to 5-1318-based structures.
  • 30-day grace periods for license renewals; medical examinations have alignment grace periods.
  • Section 9 includes a sunset-like repeal date for the horse racing pilot (December 31, 2027).

Note: The bill includes detailed fiscal and regulatory mechanics, with emphasis on fund localization, oversight, and problem gambling support.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.