BetMGM has secured Arizona online sports betting market access in a big way. BetMGM and the Arizona Cardinals announced a partnership to offer online sports betting in the state and open a retail sportsbook at State Farm Stadium by the 2022 NFL season.
The deal will also allow BetMGM to open retail sportsbooks at the three Arizona Gila River casino properties, according to the announcement.
Arizona plans to launch its online sports betting program by Sept. 9, just prior to the first week of the NFL season.
“This is a tremendous opportunity to build upon our long-standing relationship with Gila River and launch a new one with BetMGM. They are best-in-class partners whose excellence and expertise in this emerging space will provide a new and innovative way to engage and interact with our fans,” Arizona Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill said in the announcement.
This is the first announced retail sportsbook for an NFL stadium. The targeted opening will be in time for the 2022 NFL season. The only current operating sportsbook located in a U.S. stadium or arena is the William Hill sportsbook at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
“Arizona sports fans are extremely passionate and we’re confident they’ll enjoy the BetMGM experience,” said BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt. “Gila River Hotels & Casinos and the Arizona Cardinals represent the state’s premier casino destinations and sports franchise, making them the ideal partners for us.”
This is the ninth announced sports betting partnership in Arizona. Both FanDuel and DraftKings announced early partnerships in the state, with DraftKings agreeing to expand its existing commercial relationship with the PGA Tour to bring retail and mobile sports betting to TPC Scottsdale. FanDuel announced a partnership with the Phoenix Suns to build a luxury 6,300 square-foot in-arena sportsbook for the 2021-2022 NBA season.
Barstool sportsbook recently announced a partnership with NASCAR and Phoenix Raceway to provide online and in-person sports betting at the track.
Here are the other announced partnerships in the state: