The Arizona Department of Gaming has announced via the local press that they hope to have licenses issued to sports betting operators in time for the start of the NFL season which begins on September 10th.
The news follows the recent federal approval of newly agreed tribal gaming compacts and gaming legislation that will allow Arizona’s tribes and sports groups to launch sports betting products within the state.
The Department of Gaming is currently working on the regulatory framework required for legal sportsbetting in Arizona, drafting rules for both sports betting and fantasy sports contests. Once the framework and rules are finalized, the department will allow a one-week comment period starting on June 14th.
Arizona Gambling Regulators Set Target Launch Date of Sept. 9 for Sports Betting that it intends to open a sportsbook at TPC Scottsdale in partnership with DraftKings.Both the state’s tribes and major sports groups will be allowed to run sportsbooks on their property and also at nearby locations while the legislation also allows for an unlimited number of fantasy sports licenses.
The department has said that it hopes that the state’s licensed sportsbooks can begin taking bets on September 9th just three days before the Arizona Cardinal’s first game of the NFL season against the Tennessee Titans.
Supporters of the legislation believe that the sports betting industry could be worth as much as $100M to the state. However, the state legislature’s budget analysts put that figure closer to $34M.
Arizona Gambling Regulators Set Target Launch Date of Sept. 9 for Sports Betting.
Olivia has worked as an editor and writer for major brands across multiple niches. She now focuses on the iGaming and sports betting industries.