Arizona Casinos Start Unveiling New Table Games Ahead Of Possible Sportsbook Launches

Written By Derek Helling on August 18, 2021Last Updated on January 30, 2025
New Arizona Table Games Tribal Casinos

Due to updated agreements with the condition, casinos in Arizona may soon start providing legal financial sports betting.

However, one should not overlook the innovative table games that will be available at these venues to entertain bettors between games. Some of these unique activities have already been incorporated.

In several ways, the new game tables actually prove to be a victory for those casino operators.

They are included in the new game agreements with the state’s major components. Moreover, they often generate more revenue than sports betting. However, sports wagers may draw customers to certain games.

A number of games offer table games from New Arizona.

Jess Winters from KPNX reports that several properties have made swift progress in this area. New gaming compacts between Arizona’s tribal casino operators and the state have granted them the option to offer:

  • Baccarat
  • Craps
  • Roulette

Three properties owned by Gila River Hotels & Casinos are already accepting players’ bets on their tables. However, not all casinos are operating on the same timeline. For instance, Talking Stick Resort has not yet announced its new tables.

Early entrants in this segment are already experiencing profits. For example, at Wild Horse Pass, there’s been a massive demand for the games since they launched the tables last Friday.

“Richard Strafella, the Chief Operations Officer for Gila River Hotels & Casinos, stated that people were eagerly lining up, waiting for games to start so they could be the first to play. He added that the crowds have been consistently present.”

What they have witnessed so far could merely be the beginning. Sports betting could potentially attract a completely different crowd to engage and experiment with the new activities.

Can sports enthusiasts become board game players at games?

This month, Gila River, who is among the likely 26 applicants for sports betting licenses, is set to learn the outcome of their application. Earlier in the week, BetMGM Sportsbook and the Arizona Cardinals announced a new partnership with Gila River.

Sports betting facilities could potentially open in Gila River, its properties, and other state-wide casinos as early as September 9, provided regulators give their approval. The new board games have already attracted players looking for a Las Vegas-style gaming experience closer to home. However, the introduction of sports betting may attract a completely different set of patrons.

Typically, sports betting is a low-profit form of gambling that is fortunate to yield up to 10% in a month. In contrast, casinos have a higher profitability, with the potential to win 20% to 30% of their wagers on table games.

The real path to profit lies in convincing bettors and spectators to participate in other activities while on-site. Arizona casinos are now poised to make substantial efforts towards this conversion, given the availability of these new games.

AP / John Locher photo
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Helling Derek

Derek Helling, a 2013 University of Iowa graduate, serves as the lead writer for PlayUSA and the manager of BetHer. His work primarily focuses on the overlap of sports, business, and law.

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