Arizona sports betting is now live in the state, and we’ve got all the details you’ll need to get started with a bang. The Grand Canyon State launched sports betting as planned on Sept. 9, 2021, just a few days before the Cardinals played their first game on Sept. 12.
Now that it’s here, you can find not only some of the top online sportsbooks in the business but also a bevy of welcome bonuses, free bets, and odds boosts to kick off your betting experience. If you named any casino company off the top of your head, you’ll probably be right about the names of the sportsbooks available in Arizona — from BetMGM to FanDuel and DraftKings and more. Arizonans can access these books both online and at a casino or sports arena near you (soon). Read on for more about Arizona sports betting and how to get started betting in the state.
Best Arizona online sportsbook apps and bonus offers
Latest updates
Updated: Sept. 17, 2021
Just in time for Week 2 of the NFL season, the Tonto Apache Tribe announced it became first Indian tribe in Arizona to launch a live onsite retail sportsbook at its Mazatzal Hotel & Casino in Payson. The sportsbook is powered by TwinSpires. The hotel and casino will now offer onsite retail sports wagering on the results of professional, college and international sport and athletic events.
Arizona marked the eighth state in which TwinSpires sportsbooks are available (Arizona, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Tennessee, Mississippi, Michigan and New Jersey).
TwinSpires is the eighth sportsbook to go live in Arizona since its state-wide launch on Aug. 9. The company should be eager to join the party.
“Over the last several years, we have worked diligently to secure our sports wagering license and today marks a significant milestone for Tonto Apache,” said Tonto Apache Chairman Calvin Johnson in a release. “In conjunction with our world class partner, we look forward to offering a dynamic sportsbook, supporting the local community and bringing more visitors and sports fans to the Mazatzal Hotel & Casino. This opportunity will also present great opportunities and economic benefits for our people.”
Legal sports betting kicked off – literally – in Arizona as planned on Sept. 9, just in time for NFL betting. The first apps to arrive in the state include some of the biggest names: DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, BetMGM, WynnBet, Unibet, and Barstool. Additionally, Caesars Sportsbook opened a temporary retail book at Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks. A FanDuel Sportsbook at Footprint Center opened to the public later the same day.
It was a big first weekend for Arizona. According to GeoComply, which uses software in sportsbooks apps to assure bets are placed in legal jurisdictions, Arizona bettors produced 10.4% of the entire national wagering handle for the first NFL weekend, good for fourth in the United States.
Latest news from PlayAZ.com
Is sports betting legal in Arizona?
Yes. There are several legal and regulated sportsbooks that you can use in Arizona right this second. Thanks to an April 2021 law, both professional sports teams and federally recognized Native American tribes in the state are permitted to offer sports betting. Both online and in-person sports betting is allowed for each licensee, so you have plenty of options.
As far as the in-person or retail locations go, both Caesars and Fanduel opened their doors on launch day with more Phoenix-area sportsbooks expected to launch in the near future, because there are no fewer than five sports betting companies allied with Phoenix or Scottsdale tribes or sports teams. Arizona is scheduled to host the Super Bowl in 2023 in Glendale, making the Grand Canyon State the first state where sports betting is legal and underway while hosting the biggest game of the year.
Can you bet on sports online in Arizona?
Absolutely. No matter where your feet are in the Grand Canyon State, you can bet on sports through your mobile device or computer. As long as you have an internet connection, you have access to sportsbooks in Arizona. The market could include up to 20 mobile apps in the future.
Online sportsbooks available now in Arizona
With no fewer than 10 different sports betting companies allied with partners in Arizona, the market is poised to be a robust one for sports bettors. The table below highlights the tribes and teams that have announced sports betting partners and have launched or will launch soon. Additionally, the Navajo Nation, the Tohono O’odham Nation and the Arizona Coyotes received licenses although they have not announced partnerships. The Colorado River Indian Tribes (BlueBet), White Mountain Apache (MaximBet), and Yavapai-Apache Nation (PointsBet) did not receive licenses.
| Sportsbook | Partner | Venue | Location | Retail Launch | Online Launch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bally Bet AZ | Phoenix Mercury | Footprint Center | Phoenix | Unknown | Fall 2021 |
| Barstool Sportsbook AZ | NASCAR | Phoenix Raceway | Avondale | Fall 2021 | Sept. 9, 2021 |
| Betfred Arizona | Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation | We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort | Scottsdale | Unknown | Unknown |
| BetMGM Sportsbook AZ | Arizona Cardinals / Gila River Tribes | Gila River casinos / State Farm Stadium | Glendale | Fall 2021 | Sept. 9, 2021 |
| BetRivers Arizona | Arizona Rattlers | Footprint Center | Phoenix | Fall 2021 | Fall 2021 |
| Caesars Sports AZ | Arizona Diamondbacks | Chase Field | Phoenix | Sept. 9, 2021 (temp) | Sept. 9, 2021 |
| Betway (Digital Gaming) | San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe | NA | NA | Unknown | Unknown |
| DraftKings Sportsbook AZ | TPC Scottsdale | TPC Scottsdale | Scottsdale | Fall 2021 | Sept. 9, 2021 |
| FanDuel Sportsbook AZ | Phoenix Suns | Footprint Center | Phoenix | Sept. 9, 2021 | Sept. 9, 2021 |
| Fubo Sportsbook | Ak-Chin Indian Community | Harrah's Ak-Chin Casino | Maricopa | Unknown | Unknown |
| Golden Nugget AZ | Hualapai Tribe | NA | NA | Unknown | Unknown |
| SuperBook Sports | Fort Mojave Indian Tribe | Spirit Mountain Casino | Mohave Valley | Unknown | Unknown |
| TwinSpires Sportsbook AZ | Tonto Apache Tribe | Mazatzal Hotel & Casino | Payson | Unknown | Sept. 17, 2021 |
| Unibet Sportsbook AZ | Fort Yuma – Quechan Tribe | Paradise Casino | Yuma | Unknown | Sept. 9, 2021 |
| WynnBet Arizona | San Carlos Apache Tribe | Apache Gold, Apache Sky casinos | San Carlos, Winkelman | Fall 2021 | Sept. 9, 2021 |
Here is a closer look at some of the top sportsbook apps in Arizona:
DraftKings Sportsbook
The DraftKings brand has grown since its beginnings as a daily fantasy sports operator. It is considered one of the top sportsbooks in the US and is now available in Arizona. An innovative and user-friendly app design features a betting carousel with easy-to-use customizations and a cash-out option. DraftKings launched in Arizona in partnership with TPC Scottsdale, the home course of the PGA Tour’s Waste Management Phoenix Open.
Caesars Sportsbook
Caesars Entertainment has locations spread across the globe and is a well-known entity in its own right. After acquiring William Hill, the Caesars Sportsbook app became a powerhouse with decades of experience under its belt. As such, the Caesars Sports AZ app is serviceable and user-friendly. A deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field included a sportsbook at the stadium. The temporary book opened on Sept. 9, 2021.
FanDuel Sportsbook
FanDuel’s app is a clean and simple design with a near-constant level of bonuses and odds boosts. It is often considered the best US online sportsbook available. FanDuel Arizona has a deal in place with the Phoenix Suns and operates both its online app in the state and a retail sportsbook at the Footprint Center itself.
Unibet Sportsbook
Unibet is a well-known gambling brand in Europe and operates both sportsbooks and online casinos. Arizonans won’t see the online casino portion of the app, but the sportsbook is live in the state and comes equipped with all the usual betting markets plus a great selection of bonuses and odds boosts. It partnered with the Fort Yuma-Quechan Tribe, which owns casinos in both Arizona and California.
BetMGM Sportsbook
The juggernaut that is MGM Resorts International landed the Arizona Cardinals as a partner a month before the 2021 NFL season. The deal also includes the Gila River tribe and their casinos. Available in a multitude of states already, the app gives bettors more control over their wagers with a clean interface and easy-to-use Edit My Bet feature, allowing users to add, change, alter the bet size, and cash out without issue. BetMGM is a mainstay in most legal sports betting states.
WynnBet Sportsbook
WynnBet is the online sports betting arm of Wynn Resorts, a well-known gambling company in nearby Nevada. The AZ sportsbook’s presence is thanks to a partnership with the San Carlos Apache Tribe. With WynnBet, Arizonans can enjoy an easy-to-use app with a bevy of odds boosts and promos to choose from. You can expect to find WynnBet kiosks soon at the tribe’s casinos.
Barstool Sportsbook
Barstool Sports merged with Penn National Gaming, a gambling giant in its own right, and became the public face of sports betting for the company in quick order. Arizonans can now take part in the edgy brand thanks to the expansion of the company’s deal with NASCAR. The deal made Barstool the exclusive sportsbook of Phoenix Raceway.
TwinSpires Sportsbook
TwinSpires Sportsbook is the sports betting wing of Churchill Downs, Inc., the company behind the world-famous horse track of the same name. TwinSpires arrived in Arizona in September 2021, a week or so after the official launch. The app partnered with the Tonto Apache Tribe, one of the 10 tribes to receive sports betting licenses. In addition to the debut of a mobile app, TwinSpires will run the retail sportsbook operation at the Tonto Apaches’ Mazatzal Hotel and Casino.
Other sportsbook apps coming to Arizona
- Bally Bet Sports: Bally Bet’s launch in Arizona will be the third state for the sportsbook app. A deal with the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury means it too will have a retail book at Phoenix Suns Arena alongside FanDuel’s planned venue. The app itself is clean and easy to navigate with an eye-catching red-on-black theme. It comes with plenty of rewards programs and perks as well as the usual bonuses and promotions.
- BetFred Sports: The American arm of a United Kingdom-based outfit has sportsbook sponsorship deals with the Denver Broncos and Colorado Rockies in Colorado and is currently licensed in Iowa, Pennsylvania and Colorado with Nevada and Arizona pending regulatory approval. On Aug. 11, BetFred announced a deal with the Yavapai Nation to build a sportsbook at the We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort and launch a state-wide mobile platform.
- BetRivers Sportsbook: BetRivers Sportsbook is part of a larger gaming company called Rush Street Interactive, which owns several online and land-based casinos and sportsbooks in the US. However, the BetRivers name is less known in the western portion of the country since most of Rush’s properties are in the northeast. Nevertheless, it’s a major gaming company and is doing business in Arizona through a deal with the IFL’s Arizona Rattlers.
- SuperBook Sports: SuperBook Sports is sports betting royalty. The SuperBook at the Westgate in Las Vegas is one of the most famous sportsbooks in the entire world, and many sportsbooks use SuperBook’s odds as the marks for their own customers. SuperBook Sports is operating in Arizona in partnership with the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe.
- Golden Nugget Sportsbook: Golden Nugget Sportsbook is the sports betting wing of the casino chain with the same name. The company is expanding into Arizona through a deal with the Hualapai Tribe. Oddly enough, the Hualapais do not maintain a gaming facility on tribal lands, so the partnership with Golden Nugget is online-only by default.
- Fubo Sportsbook: Fubo Sportsbook is part of Fubo Gaming, a new business direction for FuboTV. As its name implies, FuboTV is a streaming television service, so its entry into the sports betting realm is a bit of a surprise. However, the company plans to leverage its sportsbook operations with its televised sports offerings, so the move does make some sense. Fubo enters Arizona through a market access agreement with the Ak-Chin Indian Community.
- Betway Sportsbook: Betway Sportsbook is a well-known European sports betting brand that has made significant strides into the US in the past few years. The company is partnering with the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe in order to offer service in Arizona. Interestingly, the San Juans are one of two Arizona tribes granted sports betting licenses without physical casinos on tribal lands.
Best Arizona online sportsbook bonuses
If your only experience with sports betting has been live sportsbooks, you might be curious about this AZ online sports betting thing. The good news is that there are several reasons why online sports betting is superior to in-person books. One main reason is the fact that you can find hundreds of free dollars waiting for you online through online sportsbook bonuses.
| Rank | Sportsbook | Bonus Offer | Bonus Code | Visit Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | DraftKings Sportsbook AZ | $1,050 | None - Use Links | Bet Now! |
| 2. | Caesars Sports AZ | $5,000 | LEGALRF | Bet Now! |
| 3. | FanDuel Sportsbook AZ | $1,000 | None - Use Links | Bet Now! |
| 4. | Unibet Sportsbook Arizona | $600 | BETBONUS | Play Now! |
| 5. | BetMGM Sportsbook AZ | $1,000 | PLAYBONUS | Bet Now! |
| 6. | WynnBet Arizona | $1,000 | None - Use Links | Bet Now! |
Because you can change from book to book so easily and quickly, online sportsbooks have to take greater pains to make sure that you’re happy and stay happy. So, they offer site credits, free bets, or straight cash to help make you more loyal to one app over another. In general, these are the types of bonuses that you’ll encounter when you venture online to bet on sports in Arizona.
- No deposit bonuses: No deposit bonuses are terrific because they do not require any investment on your part to get. Usually, sportsbooks will offer these bonuses to new players as a way to get them in the door and/or get them to register for an account. For the time it takes to make your new profile, you can get a few bucks in site credits or some free bets. The value of these offers is usually no more than $25, and you’ll have to play through them before you can cash out, but there’s little reason you should ever pass up on these offers, even if you don’t plan on using the site in question.
- Deposit bonuses: In a deposit bonus, the sportsbook will add site credits onto your deposit according to some kind of advertised percentage. Some deposit bonuses will match your deposit dollar-for-dollar, although these bonuses are usually for first-time depositors. In order to convert your bonus money into actual cash, you’ll have to play through it a number of times. Make sure you check the terms and conditions to find out exactly how many times you’ll have to bet through your credits to release them. These bonuses are sometimes called match or reload bonuses.
- Insurance: Insurance bonuses can help to negate the sting of a tough day on a sportsbook app. The sportsbook pledges to replace a certain percentage of your losses over a period of time with an insurance, or cashback, bonus. The total amount of loss you can recoup is capped to a certain dollar amount, but it’s better than nothing. One thing to realize, however, is that insurance only activates on your overall losses. If you lose some but still break even or turn a profit, you will receive nothing. The other thing to remember is that your refund will come in the form of site credit, meaning that you’ll need to wager it again (and win) before you truly get it back.
- Odds boosts: Odds boosts are sometimes hard to spot as bonuses because they have a tendency to become their own thing on the app. Like their name implies, odds boosts involve the sportsbook pumping up the payouts on selected bets. Because bets don’t last very long, odds boosts have to change every day, and sportsbooks use them to promote certain games over others. You will even see some apps where the boosts have their own tab at the top of your display. The boost will rarely be a landslide of extra dough — it’s more of a sweetener than anything.
How to sign up at Arizona sportsbook apps
Arizona utilizes remote registration, which is an industry favorite. This allows customers to sign up and fund their online accounts from the comfort of their homes. As long as they are inside the state, anyone age 21 or older can sign up for an account from anywhere in the state. The first thing to do is to follow one of our links to the sportsbook you’re interested in. Make sure to note if we have any exclusive offers to use — there might be free money available.
Next, click on the button for your mobile device’s format. There should be buttons for both iOS (Apple) and Android users. For iPhone users, download the app through the usual process to get started. Make sure to double-check whether there is an app that is specific to residents of Arizona. Android users need to set their phones to allow installations from other sources. Then, a visit to the site through their browsers (Chrome) gets the download started.
Registering for an AZ sportsbook account
Whether in-person or through remote registration, you need to provide some information to activate your account. You need various bits of personal information in order to generate your new sports betting account.
Information you may have to provide includes:
- Name
- Email address
- Date of birth
- Cell phone number
- Address
- Social Security number (or last four digits)
Additionally, you will need to designate a username and password to allow you access to your account. The site may ask you to provide answers to selected challenge questions in order to construct an extra layer of security. Finally, there may be an optional box for a bonus code somewhere in the registration area. If our link indicates that there is a code, make sure to enter it here.
How do I deposit money into an online sportsbook account?
Once you sign up and have an active account, you need to transfer funds in and out of your account to place bets. Arizona sports betting sites follow the same systems that are used in other legal states.
Deposits
In order to get started, you need to deposit funds into your new sportsbook account. Some operators might try to get you to do this immediately after registering, but don’t proceed until you are comfortable doing so. Once you’re ready to deposit, you will have a variety of available options for transferring money online. So that all players have at least one method that will work for their financial situation, most sportsbooks have many choices. Some of the options to fund your account include:
- Debit/credit cards
- Online bank transfers (similar to online bill pay)
- Wire transfers
- Electronic checks (ACH or VIP Preferred)
- Prepaid cards (Play+)
- Electronic wallets (PayPal, Skrill, etc.)
- Cash at the land-based casino cage
- Checks or money orders
Not all sportsbooks will have all of these options. Furthermore, the options at a particular site can change as they negotiate new deals with vendors.
Cashing out and withdrawals
In most cases, there are fewer methods for withdrawal than there are for deposits at online sportsbooks. The simple truth is that not all deposit methods can flow both directions. Furthermore, some withdrawal methods are only available if you used that method to deposit in the first place.
PayPal and Skrill often fall under this restriction, so make sure to investigate withdrawal methods before you deposit. Traditionally, most sportsbooks prefer to process withdrawals through either electronic or paper checks. So, if you can receive e-checks, that’s probably going to be the fastest method to withdraw. Possible withdrawal methods at online sportsbooks include:
- Online bank transfers (similar to online bill pay)
- Wire transfers
- Electronic checks (ACH or VIP Preferred)
- Prepaid cards (Play+)
- Electronic wallets (PayPal, Skrill, etc.)
- Cash at the land-based casino cage
- Checks
Arizona sports betting FAQ
Do I have to be in Arizona to bet online?
Yes, you most certainly do. Geolocation software baked into the AZ sports betting app on your phone or computer will make sure that you are within state lines and legally allowed to bet. On your phone, the app uses your device’s built-in GPS to locate you. On a desktop browser, you may be asked to download geolocation software.
Of course, you could drive to Nevada and bet online legally there. Or drive northeast and bet legally online in Colorado, too. Arizona legislators would prefer you hang around, though.
Can you play daily fantasy sports contests in Arizona?
Yes. Daily fantasy sports went live on Aug. 28, 2021. In addition to legalizing sports betting, HB2772 and SB1797 legalized daily fantasy sports contests, Keno, and mobile draw. Arizona law had not allowed for daily fantasy sports previously. DraftKings and FanDuel were two of the first DFS apps to go live in the state.
Who oversees sports betting in Arizona?
The Arizona Department of Gaming oversees AZ sports betting in its entirety. This includes the tribal properties and their retail sportsbooks as well as all online apps connected to the tribes. In fact, the tribes and the state essentially collaborate on industry regulations, and this relationship carries over into sports betting.
How old do I have to be to bet on sports in Arizona?
21. Arizona sportsbooks (online and on-site) will employ the same age minimums as state casinos, horse tracks, and the lottery.
What is the best sports betting app?
This question is difficult to answer for the same reason that recommending a restaurant to a stranger is tough — everyone’s tastes are different. What makes one app great for you might not be so great for others, and vice versa. What we can tell you is that our reviews can give you an accurate description of each app, warts and all. We also highlight the best welcome bonuses and key features of each app. All of this is to help you make a decision on where to place your bet. In the end, there’s no wrong or right answer. It’s simply a matter of what app makes you most comfortable to play.
How do I know a sports betting site is legal in Arizona?
PlayUSA is licensed in Arizona and only references and promotes legal sites. The good news is that there are a few unmistakable ways that you can tell if a site is one of the legal ones or one that is playing things a bit fast and loose. The first thing to do is look for an Arizona government seal somewhere on the homepage of the app. It will usually be the logo of the Arizona Department of Gaming, but it could be a state flag or other government insignia.
The second thing you can do is to look at the app’s contact information. Legal sportsbooks will have an address inside the United States; unlicensed sportsbooks will not.
Finally, you can always check the gaming commission website. There should be a mention (or several) of each legal book in the state since the ADG is the oversight agency for the new industry. If you cannot find an official reference to the site as legitimate, it probably isn’t.
Where to bet on sports in Arizona
The first and most obvious place to bet is online. Arizona will be home to at least 20 sportsbook apps, as per the law. But Arizona sportsbooks will also open in tribal casinos and in pro sports venues. This means there will be a plentiful amount of options for betting legally in the state.
Casino sportsbooks
Arizona has zero commercial casinos, but it does have 25 tribal properties. That means a majority of the retail wagering will take place at tribal casinos. There are 10 licenses for the 22 tribal groups in the state to launch online sportsbooks. However, the tribe-state agreements note that any tribe with a Class III gaming compact can open retail sportsbooks on tribal land.
Of the 25 casinos, the largest to likely host a sportsbook include:
- Casino del Sol — Tucson
- Desert Diamond Casino — Chandler
- Harrah’s Ak-Chin — Maricopa
- Fort McDowell — Fountain Hills
- Gila River — Laveen
- Talking Stick — Scottsdale
The 2021 Arizona sports betting law calls for up to four new casinos in the Phoenix and Tuscon area, which means additional sportsbook locations are possible.
Professional sports venues
Ten pro sports teams and venues may apply for AZ sportsbook licenses, too. Eight of those licenses are currently accounted for meaning we should see retail operations at the following locations.
- State Farm Stadium, Glendale (Cardinals, NFL)
- Chase Field, Phoenix (Diamondbacks, MLB) — temporary book opened September 2021
- Footprint Center, Phoenix (Suns, NBA; Mercury, WNBA; Rattlers, AFL) — FanDuel book opened September 2021
- TPC Scottsdale (Phoenix Open, PGA Tour)
- Phoenix Raceway, Avondale (IndyCar, NASCAR)
Note that the Arizona Coyotes, who have not revealed a partner yet, have only one remaining season at the Gila River Arena after the city of Glendale announced it would not renew the agreement. So while they have a license from the ADG, it is unclear whether a sportsbook will open at the arena.
Limited event wagering locations
A little-known fact about the AZ sports betting law is that that it allows for 10 additional licenses that other locations in the state can use. Referred to as limited event wagering licenses, these locations must be racing venues in good standing with the state. The venues must also have a partnership with one of the 20 licensees listed above, be it a tribe or a team. The difference between the two forms of licensing is that a limited event wagering operator can only provide retail betting. Furthermore, the locations of the books cannot be within five miles of another sportsbook in the state.
There have been no such announcements about partnerships as yet. The most likely sites include Turf Paradise in Phoenix, Rillito Park Race Track in Tuscon, and Arizona Downs in Prescott Valley.
Betting on Arizona sports
Arizona is home to the four pillars of sports: MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL. Additionally, two schools that compete in an NCAA Power Five conference are also located in the state. This means, customers have a number of teams to place wagers on.
- Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB)
- Phoenix Suns (NBA)
- Arizona Cardinals (NFL)
- Arizona Coyotes (NHL)
- Arizona Wildcats (Pac-12)
- Arizona State Sun Devils (Pac-12)
The MLS could eventually place an expansion franchise in the area, too. The PGA Tour, NASCAR and IndyCar hold events in the Valley of the Sun yearly. Luckily for AZ sports bettors, wagering on college games will be allowed, although prop bets will not. Additionally, as with all legal betting jurisdictions, you will not be able to bet on high school sports or events where the majority of participants are minors.
Odds are, traditional bets like single-match outcomes, parlays, and professional props will be available at AZ sportsbooks. Here’s what you can expect to see:
- Moneyline: A traditional wager where sportsbooks offer lines suggesting the odds of any given team winning a single event. Each line is based on a $100 wager. Favorites carry a negative number; for example, odds of -110 tell bettors they need to bet $110 to win $100. Underdogs carry a positive number; for example, a +110 says bettors can win $110 on a $100 wager.
- Over/under: These numbers indicate how many points, goals, runs, etc., are expected to be scored in a single game. Bettors simply wager on more or less than the given amount.
- Spreads: Another traditional wager, these numbers tell bettors how many points/goals/runs a team is favored by. The public can lay money down on the underdog to “cover the spread” (losing by less than the given amount or winning outright) or for the favorite to win by more than the number indicated.
- Parlays: These are bets that involve multiple events. Parlay bets are commonly risky but offer big rewards on small wagers. Each bet is known as a “leg,” and if you get one leg wrong, the entire bet fails.
- Props: These are bets based on the performance of individual players: yards rushed, points scored and so on.
- Futures: These wagers rely on a season’s outcome rather than a single game. Betting on who wins the Super Bowl, NBA Finals or Stanley Cup are examples of futures wagers.
- In-play or live betting: Bets made on an event while the event is ongoing and with odds changing in real time.
How Arizona sports betting came to be
Arizona’s bowl games became must-have accessories for sportsbook operators before sports betting even launched.
Caesars Entertainment Inc., and the Fiesta Bowl Organization on Aug. 23, 2021 announced sports betting and fantasy gaming partnership that will impact both games hosted by the committee.
Caesars deems the multi-year partnership a first of its kind for a college football bowl game, but Barstool Sports got awfully close – and got there first – in buying the naming rights to the Tucson Bowl last month.
Caesars will become a title partner of the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl and a presenting partner of the Arizona Bank & Trust Fiesta Bowl Kickoff Luncheon. The company will also host in-stadium fan lounges for the Fiesta Bowl and Guaranteed Rate Bowl.
This would have seemed impossible earlier in the year as the fate of legal sports betting in Arizona seemed doomed in 2021 because of a typographical error in another bill. Arizona lawmakers were forced to file a strike everything amendment — translation: delete all of it — to SB1293 when a provision meant to ensure Phoenix Raceway would be allowed to apply for an operator license accidentally included the WestWorld convention center in Scottsdale.
The bill, which was written to include venues that hold NASCAR races and car auctions, was supposed to contain language that allowed venues with upward of 150,000 capacity to apply. It read “ONE HUNDRED FIFTY,” which loops in WestWorld (site of the annual Barrett-Jackson auction) and likely scores more places. An amendment was later filed to correct the wording, but the error was thought to have eroded support from the Native American gaming interests in the state. The support from Arizona’s 22 tribes had been a huge part of bringing any potential sports betting bill to the spotlight.
The entire process of establishing sports betting in Arizona had been fraught with problems in the 2021 legislative session, too. A Senate proposal appeared to sink the whole thing earlier in the session when sports betting was tacked onto a bill that would legalize historical horse racing as a benefit to the state industry. That would not have been allowed under the existing tribal compact.
In March of 2021, however, the Arizona House voted to pass HB2772 and the Senate passed a mirror bill to send both to Gov. Ducey. He signed them into law in April, alongside an updated tribal compact. Crucially, tribal leaders supported the bills, and sports betting arrived on time and as planned in September 2021 to the Grand Canyon State.
