Arizona sports betting rules are ready for public comment.
The Arizona Department of Gaming posted rules for both daily fantasy sports and sports betting in Arizona on Tuesday. Interested parties have until midnight on June 21 to submit comments.
There are four areas under consideration:
- Number of skins
- License fees
- Tax rate (or what Arizona is calling “privilege fees”) on adjusted gross sports betting receipts
- License allocation
Retail and online sports betting are still on track for their September 9, 2021 launch date, according to a department spokesperson.
Public comment on sports betting rules
A form for online comments is available on the Department of Gaming’s website.
There also will be four open sessions for online discussion, one each for sports betting and fantasy sports on June 18 and June 21.
The Department of Gaming will consider the comments and make any necessary changes before submitting the rules to the Arizona Secretary of State.
Timeline stays on track
Legislators put a goal to launch in time for NFL betting this fall. After Gov. Doug Ducey signed enabling legislation and a new tribal compact into law on April 15, regulators set Sept. 9 as the launch goal.
The US Department of the Interior approved the compact sooner than expected. The Federal Register published the compact on May 24.
The rules are the last outstanding piece of the puzzle before the Department of Gaming can start preparing for operator launches. So far, the process has adhered to a timeline laid out by the department.
Arizona sports betting framework
Legislators set up 20 licenses in Arizona. Professional sports teams in the state and gaming tribes both receive 10 licenses.
The licenses can operate both retail and online sportsbooks. Tribes with multiple locations can operate multiple retail locations under one license.
There are also only six professional sports organizations or venues in the state, leaving room for potential expansion or relocation teams.
The legislation also legalized daily fantasy sports.
Partners aligning in Arizona
Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings and FanDuel already partnered with sports teams.
- Caesars: Arizona Diamondbacks
- DraftKings: TPC Scottsdale
- FanDuel: Phoenix Suns
With at least 20 online skins available, most major operators are expected to enter the likely valuable Arizona sports betting market. A legislative fiscal note estimates the market could generate $154.4 million in annual operator revenue.
