Penn National Gaming secured Arizona sports betting access for Barstool Sportsbook through Phoenix Raceway.
In a deal between NASCAR and Penn Interactive announced Wednesday, Barstool Sportsbook becomes the “exclusive sportsbook of Phoenix Raceway.”
“Phoenix Raceway is a state-of-the-art entertainment destination that prides itself on delivering a best-in-class fan experience,” Phoenix Raceway President Julie Giese said in the statement. “Our partnership with Penn National Gaming and Barstool Sportsbook takes this to another level. It will help us continue our mission of redefining the way we engage fans and connect with new audiences.”
The Arizona Department of Gaming has set a September 9 launch target for online and retail sports betting in Arizona.
Expanded NASCAR involvement for Barstool
Because of Penn National’s existing partnership with NASCAR, Barstool Sportsbook was seen as one of the most likely to partner with Phoenix Raceway.
Now with the partnership, Barstool will more aggressively promote NASCAR odds at its retail properties and mobile app, including unique promotions and odds boosts for bettors in Arizona.
“As our first authorized gaming operator, Penn National has been invested in engaging NASCAR fans since we began building our position in the sports betting space,” NASCAR Chief Digital Officer Tim Clark said. “We couldn’t be more excited to provide our partners with access to our passionate fan base in the greater Phoenix market.”
Penn’s footprint expands
Penn National has 42 properties in 20 states. The Arizona market access deal paves the way for its sportsbook operation in the state.
Barstool Sportsbook is live in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Pennsylvania.
“Barstool Sportsbook has proven itself to be a market leader in the jurisdictions where it has launched due to a combination of unique offers and a leading mobile experience,” Penn Interactive SVP Jon Kaplowitz said. “This new partnership will allow us to engage a passionate sports fan base in Arizona while having access to a best-in-class sports entertainment facility in Phoenix Raceway.”
Sports betting status in Arizona
Gov. Doug Ducey signed the AZ sports betting legislation and expanded tribal compact in April.
The ADG continues to work diligently to meet its launch goal. Last week, the ADG held a hearing specifically for license allocation, following several public meetings on its rules drafts.
The department released its final proposed rules late Wednesday and will take public comment Friday.
The legislation dictates the state will have 20 licenses, including 10 for the state’s professional sports teams and venues and 10 for the state’s gaming tribes.
AZ sports betting partners
With a little more than a month until the planned launch date, dance partners in Arizona continue to pair off:
- Bally’s Corp. partnered with the Phoenix Mercury
- Caesars Sportsbook partnered with the Arizona Diamondbacks
- DraftKings Sportsbook partnered with the PGA Tour’s Waste Management Phoenix Open
- FanDuel Sportsbook partnered with the Phoenix Suns
- Kindred Group, parent of Unibet, partnered with the Quechan Tribe
- PointsBet partnered with the Yavapi-Apache Nation
- WynnBet partnered with the San Carlos Apache Tribe
The NFL’s Arizona Cardinals and NHL’s Arizona Coyotes have yet to announce partners. Of the 22 tribes in the state, 16 operate the state’s 24 “Las Vegas-style” properties.
