Arizona Pins September 9th as Sports Betting Launch Date
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Arizona sports betting is expected to launch on September 9, 2021, a date that is significant in the sports world. This is the day that the 2021 NFL season officially kicks off with a Thursday Night Football Game, and it should allow the state to get off to a big start.
This announcement came from the Arizona Department of Gaming on Wednesday, and that is the group working on official sports betting rules and regulations. The ADG was forced to act quickly after the US Department of Interior approved the new gaming compact, much quicker than anticipated.
The first draft of the sports betting rules will be available on June 14, and they will be open for public comment. This comment period is set to last just one week before the ADG will look to make any improvements or adjustments to the rules.
The ADG will have to work quickly to make any amendments to the rules that have previously been drafted, but launching on September 9 will be worth it. This group could always go back and make necessary changes after that date in order to improve the industry moving forward.
Details of Bill
Sports betting was included in the new gaming compacts that were signed by the Native American tribes and Governor Doug Ducey. That agreement took place on April 15, but then the federal government had to approve as well.
When the industry launches, there will be 20 sports betting licenses available, and this will create a highly competitive industry. 10 licenses will be reserved for the tribes, and the other 10 will go to professional sports teams and stadiums.
Both online and retail sports betting will be available in the state of Arizona.
No Other iGaming Options
Not only will sports betting be offered in Arizona, but the state has also legalized the DFS industry as well. Any operator looking to offer DFS contests will have to apply for a license, and they will be regulated by the state.
Arizona did limit the number of iGaming options that will be available, going against a trend of recent states in the US. The online casino industry is starting to take off as well, but that won’t be the case in Arizona.
Online casino gaming and online poker were discussed at one point in the early stages of this bill, but they were not included in the final piece of legislation that was passed.
Operators Already Making Plans
Arizona is expected to attract some of the biggest names in the US industry, and several of those companies have already made noise in the state.
DraftKings was the first company to make a splash in Arizona by announcing a partnership with the PGA Tour in Arizona. One day later, FanDuel and the Phoenix Suns announced a partnership that will bring retail betting to the Phoenix Suns Arena.
The Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a partnership with Caesars Entertainment, and Chase Field will be a new retail location as well.