Bet365 continues its foray into the US market with a license for Arizona sports betting.
The Arizona Department of Gaming announced Tuesday it allocated one of the three available AZ sports betting licenses to bet365, in partnership with the Ak-Chin Indian Community.
The decision comes after the ADG opened an application period for sports betting licenses from August 1 to August 15. Arizona sports betting began Sept. 9, 2021.
More licenses coming to Arizona?
Two licenses remain unfilled since 2021, both saved for professional sports teams in the state. But a third could be on its way.
WynnBet announced it is drawing down its operations in Arizona and multiple other US markets. WynnBet is partnered with the San Carlos Apache Tribe.
An ADG spokesperson said the department “may open another application period for the remaining licenses.”
Bet365 continues American expansion
For the first several years of US sports betting, UK-based bet365 has remained a sleeping giant. In 2023, however, the sportsbook is beginning to stretch its wings stateside.
The push really began with a solid early performance in Ohio sports betting following the Buckeye State’s launch earlier this year. Bet365 will also be on the starting line next month for Kentucky sports betting.
Other states bet365 is live:
The company is also reportedly looking at sites for a US headquarters.
Ak-Chin back into Arizona sports betting
When Arizona sports betting launched in September 2021, the Ak-Chin Indian Community was among the first licenses awarded. Initially, the community received one of 10 licenses reserved for tribes in the state.
The Ak-Chin Indian Community partnered with Fubo Sportsbook for the initial license. Fubo, however, shut down its sports betting operation in late 2022.
Now, the tribe will roll out a new partner in bet365, a more established and potentially competitive sportsbook in the US industry.
Arizona sports betting ripe for competition
Bet365 is entering a market with an unusual operator in the top-five in handle total: Tohono O’odham Nation’s Desert Diamond. DraftKings and FanDuel, however, control 65% of the handle through the first four months of the year.
The Desert Diamond performance through the first four months of the year placed it ahead of national brands like Barstool Sportsbook and BetRivers. However, Barstool will likely be replaced in Arizona as Penn Entertainment recently announced it is partnering with ESPN.
Along with a big name like ESPN, Fanatics will also likely be aiming to enter Arizona in the near future.
