A quick launch is expected for Arizona sports betting as the state begins its rulemaking process.
Less than a week after Gov. Doug Ducey signed HB 2772 and amended tribal compacts to allow sports betting in Arizona, the state’s Department of Gaming outlined its launch process Wednesday. Ducey signed the bill April 15 after a legislative process that at one point appeared potentially doomed.
The sports betting legislation, sponsored by Sen. T.J. Shope and Rep. Jeff Weninger, was needed to complete the compacts negotiated by the governor and the tribes. The existing compacts were set to expire in 2022.
ADG gets to work
The bill passed with an emergency status to help launch AZ sports betting quicker. Legislators set a launch goal of football kickoff for NFL betting.
Regulators are working to set license fees, final tax rates and types of wagers allowed in the state.
“The department is already hard at work drafting rules and procedures to ensure the safety and security of the Arizona betting public as we look towards implementing event and fantasy sports wagering in the months ahead,” ADG Director Ted Vogt said in the release.
Arizona sports betting launch timeline
The launch of AZ sports betting is working on two timelines. One is for the tribal-state gaming compacts and the other is the sports betting rulemaking process.
Compact timeline
The tribal compacts were submitted to the Federal Department of the Interior – Office of Indian Gaming on April 16. The office has 45 days to review and approve.
From there, it heads to the Federal Register, which has 90 days to officially publish the compacts.
ADG timeline
Following Ducey’s signature on the emergency bill, the ADG has a 60–day statutory requirement to draft rules.
Then there is a public comment period. Following public comment, there’s an amendment period.
Once through those steps, the department prepares for the start date. The department has not set a start date yet.
What will Arizona sports betting look like?
Under HB 2772, there will be 20 sports betting licenses in Arizona. Gaming tribes receive 10 licenses. Another 10 are allotted to the state’s professional sports teams.
Licenses include both retail and online sports betting. Legislators also legalized daily fantasy sports.
Two operators already announced their market access: DraftKings and FanDuel. DraftKings signed a partnership with TPC Scottsdale, while FanDuel jumped in with the Phoenix Suns. Executives from theScore and BetMGM both mentioned the state in recent investor presentations.
