The state of Arizona is still a few months away from the launch of sports betting, but things are already starting to heat up for the industry. Applications aren’t even being accepted yet for a sports betting license, but the list of potential operators is beginning to take shape.
This week, Barstool Sports has announced a sports betting partnership with the Phoenix Raceway, which should give the operator a path into the state. Barstool Sports is a product of Penn National Gaming, and it has been able to carve out a niche with a particular demographic.
This is a multi-year deal, and it is one that makes Barstool the exclusive partner of the Raceway. This falls right in line with a number of other deals in the state as operators are looking to enter the state by partnering with professional sports and organizations.
Julie Giese, President of the Phoenix Raceway, stated, “Our partnership with Penn National Gaming and Barstool Sportsbook takes this to another level. It will help us continue our mission of redefining the way we engage fans and connect with new audiences.”
NASCAR has continued to look for new ways to engage fans and get into the sports betting industry, and this deal will help push that initiative forward. Penn National has been looking to market the Barstool Sportsbook in as many states as possible, and Arizona was always a target.
There weren’t many details of this partnership included in the announcement, but those will continue to come out in the coming months. The number one goal for Barstool is to promote NASCAR and the Phoenix Raceway on its mobile app across the United States.
Promotions are expected to be offered on the Barstool Sports app that will be set to launch in Arizona. The company is also expected to offer similar promotions across its platform throughout the United States.
A statement from Penn National said, “This new partnership will allow us to engage a passionate sports fan base in Arizona while having access to a best-in-class sports entertainment facility in Phoenix Raceway.”
Barstool Making Big Moves
The Barstool Sportsbook is still relatively new in the United States sports betting industry, but it is one that is experiencing tremendous growth. Pennsylvania was the first state to see this sportsbook, but it is also live in Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan.
Penn National Gaming currently operates at more than 40 properties in 20 different states, and it has continued to push this new app. Barstool Sports is known to dominate a much younger demographic, and the Barstool Sports personalities have helped to grow the brand.
NASCAR and Penn National first formed a partnership in 2020, and that partnership will continue to grow with this deal in Arizona. Penn National already has a deal in place with the Kansas Speedway, but that state has not yet legalized this industry.
With this deal, nearly every professional league or franchise in Arizona has now partnered with a sports betting operator. The Arizona Cardinals have not yet announced a partner, but that should happen before the launch of sports betting in September.
