Arizona regulators have finally revealed a potential launch date for sports betting in the state.
The Arizona Department of Gaming has revealed a target launch date of 9 September 2021 for sports betting to go live in Arizona.
The target launch date for sports betting is set to coincide with the official kickoff of the 2021 NFL season.
In addition to a 9 September launch date, the regulator has also announced that sports betting rules and regulations will be available for “public inspection and comment” on 14 June.
Arizona stays on track
Arizona lawmakers intended to get the state’s betting market off the ground in time for this year’s football season.
When the legislature approved the sports betting bill, it included an emergency clause to help accelerate the launch process. Arizona Governor Doug Ducey signed the betting legislation and a new tribal compact on 15 April.
Once the bill was signed, the Department of Gaming began working on rules and regulations almost immediately.
As the state will amend its compact agreements with tribes in the state, the US Department of the Interior was also required to approve and publish the amended compacts. However, the Department acted quicker than expected and published the approved compact in the Federal Register on 24 May.
What will sports betting in Arizona look like?
Under the legislation signed into law last month, 20 sports betting licenses will be made available. License holders to operate online and land-based betting operations.
Of those licenses, Ten would be made available to major sports teams located in the state.
These licenses would allow sports teams to run sports betting operations at their facilities and team up with sportsbook operators at their venues and land-based casinos.
The other licenses would be allocated to the state tribes to run sportsbooks at their more than 20 casinos in the state. The legislation would also allow them to build new casinos in the state and offer new gambling options.
Operators making plans to enter the market
Sportsbook operators have already begun making preparations to enter the state’s betting market.
DraftKings announced a partnership with TPC Scottsdale which hosts the PGA Tour’s Waste Management Phoenix Open. This partnership was announced before the legislation was signed into law by the Governor.
On the day Arizona’s Governor signed the bill, FanDuel and the Phoenix Suns announced a partnership.
Caesars Entertainment also announced a market access agreement with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
