Quartet of industry heavy hitters confirm go-ahead in Arizona
State hits launch target of September after rapid rollout of sports betting just four months after governor signed law
Four leading US sports betting operators have revealed that they have received online licenses to operate in Arizona.
FanDuel, DraftKings, Penn National Gaming, and BetMGM have all acknowledged their licensure ahead of the Arizona Department of Gaming unveiling the full list of licensees on 27 August.
While DraftKings trumpeted its arrival in Arizona by way of a tweet, BetMGM, the joint venture between MGM Resorts and Entain, was the only operator to put out a press release.
The company said that pre-registration for the BetMGM app begins on the permitted date of August 28 and that it will be among the first to bring mobile sports betting to the Grand Canyon State.
The New Jersey-based operator is also opening retail sportsbooks at three Arizona Gila River properties and at the State Farm Stadium, home of baseball’s Cardinals.
BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt said: “It is an exciting day here at BetMGM to get the official sign-off to launch on day one of sports betting in Arizona.
“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.”
See you soon, Arizona! 🌵 pic.twitter.com/94XjOgP1eK
— DraftKings Sportsbook (@DKSportsbook) August 26, 2021
There are a total of 20 sports betting licenses up for grabs, which includes 10 for the state’s professional sports teams and the same number for the tribes.
However, 16 of the 22 tribes applied for the 10 available licenses (both retail and online), which underlines the clamor for a license in Arizona.
The speed at which sports betting has been rolled out thus far in Arizona, a state that’s home to a population of around seven million, has been a welcome surprise for those seeking entry to the state.
It means Arizonans will have access to legal mobile sports betting ahead of the new NFL season, which starts on September 9.
However, Arizona’s governor, Doug Ducey, only signed the sports betting law on April 15, a law which included a newly negotiated compact with the state’s tribes.
On top of this, a 10% tax rate on GGR for mobile sports betting and 8% for retail betting are some of the lowest in the country.
License fees are also agreeable: $750,000 for a five-year license and the same fee for renewal.
A number of operators have signed deals with sports teams in Arizona, which includes building retail sportsbooks at home stadiums and arenas.