FanDuel, Penn National Gaming and BetMGM Receive Arizona Sports Betting Licenses
A full list of Arizona sports betting license winners will be notified by the Arizona Department of Gaming on Aug. 27, but FanDuel, Bartstool Sportsbook and BetMGM have already secured that bag.
A spokesperson from Penn National Gaming confirmed to Crossing Broad that the operator has been approved as an event wagering designee for its Barstool Sportsbook brand in Arizona. Additionally, a spokesperson from FanDuel also confirmed the company received approval as an event wagering and fantasy contest operator in the state.
BetMGM sent out a press release Thursday morning confirming they have received an official sports betting license from the state.
Daily fantasy sports will be launched on Saturday, Aug. 28, and sports betting will likely be launched on Thursday, Sept. 9, the first day of the NFL season.
All Partnering with Professional Sports Organizations
FanDuel was one of the first sportsbook operators to announce a sports betting partnership in the state. The operator announced a partnership in April with the Phoenix Suns to build a luxury 6,300 square-foot in-arena sportsbook for the 2021-2022 NBA season. In addition to a full-service ticket window and self-service kiosks within the sportsbook, fans will be able to place bets throughout Phoenix Suns Arena on their mobile devices during game days and other hosted sporting events.
Penn National Gaming and NASCAR announced a multi-year partnership in July for Barstool Sportsbook to become the exclusive sportsbook of Phoenix Raceway. The partnership is expected to give Penn National Gaming access to the Arizona sports betting market. In 2020, Penn National became NASCAR’s first authorized gaming operator, marking its first partnership with a professional sports league.
BetMGM announced partnerships with Gila River Hotels & Casinos and the Arizona Cardinals for retail and online sports betting. The sportsbook operator will construct and open retail sportsbooks at the three Arizona Gila River properties and at State Farm Stadium, home of the Cardinals.
The department of gaming received 27 total applications for sports betting licenses in the state, including 17 applications for 10 available tribal nation licenses. The department received 10 applications for its 10 available licenses for professional sports franchises in the state. Additionally, 10 licenses for “limited event wagering operators” will be available, but the holders need to partner with one of the 20 event wagering operators.
Arizona Sports Betting on Track for Sept. 9 Launch
To determine the tribal license winners the department of gaming will evaluate each applicant’s bid package to see who best meets 19 specific criteria laid out in the sports betting rules and regulations.
Here is the tentative Arizona sports betting timeline as the state readies for next month’s launch:
- Aug. 27: Allocation of licenses are announced.
- Aug. 28: Marketing for sports betting is allowed.
- Aug. 30: Additional licensing period for allocated applicants (if necessary).
- Sept. 9: Arizona sports betting is launched.
Arizona will feature an in-person sports betting tax rate of 8% and an online sports betting tax rate of 10%.
14 Announced Partnerships for Arizona Sports Betting
Here is the current list of announced market access agreements and partnerships.
- Betfred Sports. We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort.
- MaximBet. White Mountain Apache Tribe.
- BlueBet. Colorado Indian River Tribes.
- Ballys. Phoenix Mercury.
- Barstool Sportsbook. Phoenix Raceway.
- BetMGM. Arizona Cardinals and Arizona Gila River casino properties.
- DraftKings. TPC Scottsdale.
- FanDuel. Phoenix Suns.
- Caesars. Arizona Diamondbacks.
- WynnBet. San Carlos Apache Tribe.
- PointsBet. Cliff Castle Hotel Casino.
- Kindred Group (Unibet). Quechan Tribe of the Fort Yuma Indian Reservation.
- Scientific Games. Casino Del Sol (retail sports betting only).
- TwinSpires. Tonto Apache Tribe.
The remaining 13 applicants have not made their intentions public.
Applicant license fees are $100,000. An initial license fee for all awarded licenses are $750,000, with a $150,000 renewal fee.
