Arizona is preparing to launch sports betting as quickly as possible after legislation was passed last week.
On Wednesday, Arizona’s Department of Gaming outlined its launch process for sports betting in the state.
This comes less than a week after Arizona Governor Doug Ducey signed HB 2772 into law and amended the tribal compacts to permit sports betting in the state.
Department of Gaming working on rules
The legislation passed as with emergency status which is intended to help the activity launch quickly.
Lawmakers aim to launch the activity in time for the 2021 football season to capitalise on NFL betting.
In its announcement yesterday, the regulator confirmed that it is working on setting licensing fees, tax rates, and determining which bets will be allowed.
In a statement, Director of the ADG Ted Vogt said: “I am excited to see House Bill 2772 pass through the legislature and signed by Governor Ducey. 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.”
Sports betting timeline to launch
The regulator is working on two different timelines, one for the tribal compact agreement with the state and the sports betting rulemaking process.
On 16 April, the amended tribal compacts were sent to the Federal Department of the Interior – Office of Indian Gaming for approval. The office has 45 days to review and approve the compact and then they must be published in the Federal Register. The office will have 90 days to publish the compacts.
Meanwhile, the sports betting legislation requires the state regulator to draft sports betting rules within 60 days.
Once draft rules have been published there will be a period for public comment where the rules can be discussed. There will then be an amendment period and once amended the regulator will prepare for launch.
The sports betting legislation
Under the legislation signed into law last week, 20 sports betting licenses will be made available, which will allow 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.
Sports betting operators are already making preparations to enter the market ahead of the launch of legal betting.
Last week, DraftKings, became the first operator to secure access into the market via a partnership with the PGA Tour and TPC Scottsdale.
The Phoenix Suns also announced a partnership with FanDuel which will see FanDuel open a sportsbook at the Phoenix Suns Arena.
