September 9, 2021, might just seem like a regular day for people in other parts of the United States, but this is a date with plenty of significance in the state of Arizona. Legal sports betting is set to launch on that date, and the Arizona Department of Gaming has continued to work behind the scenes in preparation.
September 9 is also the Opening Day of the 2021 NFL season, and the year will kick off with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hosting the Dallas Cowboys. This should allow the industry to get off to a fast start in Arizona, but even more, action should come over the weekend.
The Arizona Cardinals are set to begin their 2021 season by taking on the Tennessee Titans down in Nashville. Arizona is currently a three-point underdog in that matchup, but sportsbooks throughout the state will have odds boosts and promotions on this game.
The final draft of sports betting rules and regulations has already been posted by the ADG, and a list of approved operators will be announced soon. Arizona has 20 online sports betting licenses available, and some of the biggest names in the industry are expected to be approved.
Operators have already been securing partnerships with professional sports teams in order to gain access into the state. Professional sports teams and stadiums will be granted 10 total licenses, while the other 10 will go to Native American tribes.
It will take some time for Arizona to emerge as one of the top betting markets in the US, but launching in line with the NFL season will provide a huge initial boost.
Cardinals Will Be a Popular Bet
The Arizona Cardinals are easily the most popular team in the state, but the Phoenix Suns are starting to gain ground. The Suns made a stunning run all the way to the NBA Finals this season, and football fans in Arizona hope that the momentum will carry over the Cardinals.
Arizona nearly made the playoffs in 2020, but the Cardinals have a huge collapse over the final few weeks. The Cardinals return much of the same team from a season ago, but the rest of the NFC West Division has also gotten better as well.
The over/under for Cardinals wins in 2021 is currently set at 8.5, and that number would not put Arizona in the playoffs. Betting on the Cardinals to make the playoffs in 2021 is also a big underdog bet, and that is due to playing in a loaded NFC West Division.
Arizona is currently +600 to win the NFC West Division, which doesn’t seem like it would make them a big underdog. That is actually the lowest odds of the four teams in the NFC West, but all of the teams are bunched together.
The San Francisco 49ers are the betting favorites to win the NFC West at +190, and the Los Angeles Rams are right behind them at +200. Seattle won the division last season, and they are currently being offered at +280 to repeat as champions.
