The Arizona Department of Gaming has disclosed the allocation of 18 sports betting licenses, with the region poised to enter the US’ legal ecosystem in time for the start of the NFL season.
The regulator has issued the green-light to ten tribes and eight sports organisations, with licensed operators now able to start marketing and signing up patrons online as well as on mobile ahead of a September 9, 2021, start date.
“During the rulemaking process for event wagering, the department made it a priority to gather as much public and stakeholder comment as possible, particularly on aspects such as license allocation,” explained Ted Vogt, department of gaming director.
“The allocation decision we are announcing today is a direct result of these efforts, helping to ensure the impartiality and fairness of the process for all applicants.”
Tribal licenses have been allocated to the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe alongside its SuperBook Sports partner, Navajo Nation, Quechan Tribe and Unibet Arizona, Tonto Apache Tribe with Churchill Downs, Tohono O’odham Nation, Hualapai Tribe and Golden Nugget, Ak-Chin Indian Community, San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe and Digital Gaming, San Carlos Apache Tribe with Wynn, and Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation.
“The Hualapai Tribe is pleased to have been approved for an event wagering license in Arizona and looks forward to this opportunity to earn additional gaming revenue to support the Hualapai people,” commented Dr Damon Clarke, chair of the Hualapai Tribe.
“With an outstanding partner in Golden Nugget, we will establish a top-tier event wagering operation through our Grand Canyon Resort Corporation. The Golden Nugget brand is certainly no stranger to the residents of Arizona.
“With the Las Vegas and Laughlin casino properties bordering our state, Golden Nugget has been providing legal sports betting and casino wagering entertainment to Arizonans for over 70 years. We are pleased to be associated with such an iconic brand and anticipate this being a long and prosperous partnership for the Hualapai Tribe.”
Furthermore, licenses to sports organisations have been issued to the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals alongside its nominated partner BetMGM, the MLB’s Arizona Diamondbacks and William Hill, NBA franchise Phoenix Suns with FanDuel, the Arizona Coyotes of the NHL, the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury and Bally’s and IFL side Arizona Rattlers with Rush Street Interactive.
Furthermore, the TPC Scottsdale golf complex, alongside DraftKings, has also received a green-light, as has the Phoenix Speedway motorsport track and Penn National.
“We are very excited to bring our BetRivers mobile apps to Arizona together with the Rattlers, which are deeply rooted in the Phoenix community and share RSI’s commitment to excellence,” said Richard Schwartz, CEO of RSI.
“Arizonans are accustomed to receiving a championship caliber product on the field with the Rattlers, and we look forward to offering them a similarly high-quality product off the field through our award-winning BetRivers platform and top-notch customer service.”
Moreover, the Arizona Department of Gaming has also permitted DraftKings, FanDuel, FFPC, Yahoo, Fantasy Sports Shark, Underdog Sports, to begin the immediate operation of fantasy sports within the state.
“I can’t thank the public and stakeholders enough for their feedback and collaboration throughout the event wagering and fantasy sports implementation process,” added Vogt.
“This partnership, as well as the hard work of department staff, has allowed Arizona to be one of the fastest states to operationally start these new games since the passing of the enabling legislation.”
