Arizona isn’t set to launch sports betting until September 9, but the biggest operators in the industry are already positioning themselves for that launch. The latest to join the market is PointsBet, and they are doing it by partnering with a Native American tribe.
On Tuesday it was announced that PointsBet Arizona will be partnering with the Cliff Castle Casino Hotel. This property is owned and operated by the Yavapai-Apache Nation, a federally recognized tribe in the state.
This announcement does not mean that PointsBet will automatically be able to operate in the state, but the company will be applying for a license. With so many potential licenses available, the Australian-based sportsbook should be able to receive one.
This is the first time that a deal has been announced in Arizona between a sportsbook operator and a Native American tribe. Other operators will be looking to enter the state in the same manner, but PointsBet was able to pick its partner early on in the process.
In the announcement, PoitnsBet CEO Johnny Aitken said,
“PointsBet and our partners at Cliff Castle are proud to begin the process toward offering our differentiated sports betting product and world-class technology to fans all over Arizona.”
All of the casinos in Arizona are run by Native American tribes, and there are 10 sports betting licenses available for these tribes. This will create a competitive environment during the application process, and that is expected to start soon.
The Arizona Department of Gaming is still waiting to post the final sports betting rules and regulations, but that could be done before the end of this month. There have been some delays in this process, but the state remains on target to hit the expected launch date.
Plenty of Expansion For PointsBet
Prior to the legalization of sports betting in the United States, PointsBet was not a company that was ever heard of in this country. PointsBet was only offering sports betting in Australia, but the operator recognized a chance to make a big move.
New Jersey was the first state that saw a PointsBet Sportsbook, but Arizona will now be the 16th market for this company. There have been several other companies making big moves in the US, but few have been as aggressive as PointsBet.
This operator has gained attention for its “points betting” option, which is very different from traditional sports betting. This option allows bettors to win or lose large amounts of money just by placing one single bet.
PointsBet has also spent time partnering with professional sports teams and other big companies in the US. The biggest deal that PointsBet currently has is a deal with NBC Sports, and that will come into play when the 2021 NFL season begins.
The Arizona Cardinals are still looking for a partner in the state of Arizona, and this could be a potential target for PointsBet. The company has built up its US headquarters in Denver, Colorado and this will allow it to become a factor in this part of the US.
