After a confused process that left many event wagering operator applicants not knowing whether they would be granted licenses in Arizona, the first licenses have been announced. Some were able to begin marketing on August 28.
The first to announce were FanDuel and Penn National Gaming. They were licensed as “designees” and their professional sports teams were licensed as operators.
FanDuel is partnered with the Phoenix Suns and Penn National Gaming with Phoenix Raceway. FanDuel plans to open a digital sportsbook and retail location at the Suns’ Footprint Center. FanDuel plans to open digital sports betting first, with in-person wagering coming later. Penn National Gaming will go live with its Barstool Sportsbook platform and later open retail sports book at the raceway.
Other partnerships include Arizona Cardinals and BetMGM, Arizona Diamondbacks and Caesars, Phoenix Mercury and Bally’s, TPC Scottsdale and DraftKings. Caesars will offer in-person wagering through kiosks beginning September 9, while Barstool, BetMGM, FanDuel, and DraftKings are waiting for the ADG nod.
There are some multiple partnerships, e.g. BetMGM, which is partnered with Gila River Casinos and Caesars, which has access with the Ak-Chin Indian Community. BetMGM plans to open retail sportsbooks at all three Arizona Gila River casinos and at State Farm Stadium.
BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt said in a statement, “It is an exciting day here at BetMGM to get the official sign off to launch on day one of sports betting in Arizona.” He added, “Through our partnerships with Gila River and the Arizona Cardinals, as well as the benefits of being connected to MGM Resorts properties nationwide, we have many exciting things in store for sports fans in Arizona.”
Pre-registration for the BetMGM app also opened on August 28.
The NHL Coyotes haven’t yet announced a partner after they learned that the city of Glendale was not renewing its lease after this season.
A further complication: ADG has 16 applicants for tribal licenses, but only 10 licenses to give. That means it will need to apply a 19-point list to trim the applicants down to 10.
One that has apparently made the list is PointsBet, whose partner is the Yavapai-Apache Nation.
Gambling partnerships have reached the college ranks as Caesars Entertainment signed an agreement with the Fiesta Bowl Organization.
Caesars will host fan lounges at the annual bowl game in Glendale, Arizona and at the Guaranteed Rate Bowl, which is played at Chase Field in downtown Phoenix.
Fans will be allowed to bet at a sportsbook and bar on the plaza adjacent to Chase Field, which is home to the Arizona Diamondbacks, who also have a partnership with Caesars.
“This is the evolution of sports as a whole and we’re excited for it,” Fiesta Bowl Chief Marketing Officer Jose Moreno said.
Caesars will also become title partner of the pregame parties and be the presenting partner of the game’s kickoff luncheon.
“When this opportunity presented itself to be a part of the Fiesta Bowl and Guaranteed Rate Bowl, we really jumped on it,” said Dan Shapiro, the chief development officer of Caesars Digital. “We thought it was a perfect fit for everything we’re doing in Arizona.”
Daily Fantasy Sports operator licenses are also being granted, with FanDuel being the first, with plans to launch on August 28. Before DFS operators can launch they must have contest operator internal controls and house rules approved by the state.
