BetMGM and DraftKings Sportsbook are the latest operators to acknowledge receiving an AZ sports betting license for a planned Sept. 9 launch.
BetMGM receiving a license is not exactly unexpected, of course. The sportsbook is partnered with two significant Arizona businesses: Gila River Hotels & Casinos and the NFL‘s Arizona Cardinals.
“It is an exciting day here at BetMGM to get the official sign off to launch on day one of sports betting in Arizona,” said BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt. “Through our partnerships with Gila River and the Arizona Cardinals, as well as the benefits of being connected to MGM Resorts properties nationwide, we have many exciting things in store for sports fans in Arizona.”
DraftKings Sportsbook, partner of TPC Scottsdale, announced it was coming to the state soon in a tweet.
Spokespeople from FanDuel Sportsbook (partnered with the NBA‘s Phoenix Suns) and Penn National/Barstool Sportsbook (partnered with NASCAR‘s Phoenix Raceway) also confirmed their companies received licenses for AZ sportsbooks.
The Arizona Department of Gaming will announce all license winners by the end of business Friday.
AZ sports betting signups start Saturday
It is about to be a busy weekend for all online Arizona sportsbooks.
Registration with Arizona sports betting operators can begin Saturday, the same day operators can start marketing.
Those bettors will have to wait about two weeks before placing a bet, though, with the market opening Sept. 9. That’s the same day the NFL regular season kicks off.
Some Arizona applicants will not get licenses
Sports betting in Arizona is rolling out incredibly quickly, likely making its licensed partners happy. Not everyone is walking away with a license though.
There are just 20 sports betting licenses available in Arizona: 10 for professional sports teams and 10 for tribal partners. There are 22 tribes in the state, though, and 16 of them applied for betting licenses.
Regulators will consider a number of factors when determining which 10 get licenses:
- Business track record and financial stability
- Local investment commitments
- Ability to launch within six months
- A mix of non-gaming tribes, rural gaming tribes and tribes near metro areas is preferred.
The ADG release will not include information on the losing bids. The department refused an LSR Freedom of Information Act request to disclose the identity of all bidders.
