The Arizona sports betting market is going to be massive because of the lucrative framework established by the Department of Gaming. Professional sports venues and tribal gaming facilities were given the ability to secure licenses.
An Arizona license included the ability to operate a retail sportsbook and a mobile skin. FanDuel was one of the first operators to secure market access through a deal with the Phoenix Suns. FanDuel is a national conglomerate that will be one of the top skins in the state.
FanDuel was recently granted permission to launch in Arizona by the Department of Gaming when the industry goes live on September 9. This has been the targeted start date since sports betting was legalized earlier this year to take advantage of the NFL kickoff.
Final Touches for Arizona Sports Betting
FanDuel will be one of the first sportsbooks to launch in Arizona when sports betting goes live on September 9. The market, which will have numerous operators, could be limited when the launch occurs.
FanDuel was approved for daily fantasy and sports betting in the state, according to a company spokesperson. FanDuel has already begun working on a retail sportsbook located at the Footprint Center, home of the Phoenix Suns.
The Arizona Department of Gaming will finalize license allocation by August 27, and daily fantasy sports will begin on August 28 in the state. This will give bettors a chance to become acclimated to operators before legal wagering goes live to begin the 2021 NFL season.
FanDuel announced its deal with the Phoenix Suns the day that sports betting was legalized in April. The other basketball franchise in the state, the Phoenix Mercury (WNBA), partnered with Ball’s Corp for sports betting.
FanDuel will have one of the best mobile sportsbooks in the state. However, it will also be a prime retail betting location. The facility at the Footprint Center will be 7,400 square feet, and it will be open daily. There will be betting windows, 26 kiosks, 40 televisions, and a 35-foot video wall.
Other License Holders
The Arizona sports betting application process concluded on August 9. There were 26 businesses looking to launch sports betting in the state. However, some groups will be cut out of the mix because there are only 20 licenses available.
The 20 licenses will be split amongst the tribal nations and professional sports franchises. Ten sports teams were looking for a permit and 16 tribal nations, so six from the latter group will be eliminated from the industry.
The Arizona Department of Gaming has handled this by creating a set of guidelines that will eliminate some of the tribal nations. Part of the criteria states:
“the Arizona Department of Gaming will consider a preference that licenses be distributed among non-gaming tribes, rural gaming tribes, and to tribes located relatively near metropolitan areas in the state.”
The most recent partnership formed in Arizona occurred on Tuesday when the Casino Del Sol, owned and operated by the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, partnered with Scientific Games. Time will tell what entities are lucky enough to receive licenses in the state.
