Betting by telephone comes to Arizona

Betting by telephone has officially come to Arizona.

Months after legislation allowing advanced-deposit wagering was signed into law, the logistics have been worked out, and on Friday, the Arizona Department of Racing authorized Turf Paradise to start.

The legislation allows wagering on horse racing and dog racing by phone. Arizona joins 37 other states that allow ADW accounts. For the time being, only Pima County, which includes Tucson and southwestern Arizona, is not included since some legal hurdles remain.

Telephone wagering is allowed not only on Turf Paradise’s product but on racing at any track that exports its signal to Turf Paradise.

Sign-ups for ADW accounts began Tuesday. Vince Francia, the general manager of Turf Paradise, has been looking forward to this. “At a time when horse racing faces ever-increasing competition, ADW gives Turf Paradise patrons another way to wager on horse racing in Arizona,” he said.

The additional wagering option figures to boost handle, said Francia, which could help Turf Paradise to boost purses for horsemen and lure better horses and trainers to the Phoenix track.

For information on how to sign up for ADW accounts, patrons can call (866) 597-7337.