Arizona’s sports betting market is continuing to take shape. The latest operators to receive the green light to launch in the state are FanDuel and Penn National Gaming, both of which reportedly received their approvals late last week. FanDuel will introduce sports betting and daily fantasy sports (DFS), while Penn National will focus only on sports betting.
FanDuel, Penn National Ready for Arizona
FanDuel applied with Arizona regulators to introduce both sports betting and DFS and received approval for both activities. FanDuel is partnered with the Phoenix Suns of the NBA, with the team listed as the official sportsbook operator and FanDuel listed as the “designee.” Plans are also in place to see FanDuel sports betting kiosks at Chase Field, the home of MLB’s Arizona Diamondbacks. The sportsbook at the Suns’ home court, Footprint Center, is reportedly almost 80% complete, as of ten days ago. In addition, FanDuel is able to launch DFS in Arizona as of this Saturday.
Penn National is partnered with Phoenix Raceway and is also listed as a designee on the sports betting application. It plans on launching the Barstool Sportsbook online option first, with a separate physical sportsbook coming to the raceway later. Both FanDuel and Penn National expect to have operations in place by September 9, the first day of the NFL regular season. Approvals of other applications are expected to be announced this week or next.
At Least One Operator Failed
BetMGM is partnered with the Arizona Cardinals of the NFL, Caesars Entertainment is linked to the Diamondbacks, Bally’s and the Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA are tied up and DraftKings scored deal with the PGA and TPC Scottsdale. In total, the Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) has ten licenses to issue to professional sports organizations and ten for state tribes. However, at least one of the sports franchise applications didn’t make the final cut. The ADG isn’t naming names but, according to Sports Handle, the rejection isn’t tied to any of the four major sports organizations, the PGA or NASCAR.
Because the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes haven’t yet mentioned their sports betting partner, that greatly limits the possible options of which application was rejected. The team currently has a lease with Glendale; however, the city is kicking the team out. Last week, it said it doesn’t intend to renew the Coyotes’ lease beyond the season that just wrapped up, but the team is currently looking for a way to stay local.
The ADG has explained that all those approved for sports betting in the state will be notified by this Friday, which means it will then be easy to figure out which application was rejected. The “why” may not be revealed, however. This should give all approved operators enough time to get ready for the upcoming NFL regular season. The approved tribes will be announced, as well, with PointsBet already in place through its deal with the Yavapai-Apache Nation. The ADG reportedly received 16 licenses from tribes.