BetMGM Sportsbook could potentially be one of the operators when sports betting in Arizona, which is currently rapidly heading towards its launch, gets underway. The launch is expected to coincide with the commencement of the National Football League season in a month’s time.
BetMGM revealed new partnerships with the NFL, the Arizona Cardinals, and Gila River Hotels & Casinos in Arizona on Monday. These agreements potentially position BetMGM to introduce its betting platform to Arizona once sports betting becomes live this fall.
BetMGM intends to open its second online store in 2022.
BetMGM has declared its plans to establish retail sportsbooks at Gila River properties in Arizona, as well as a sportsbook at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, the home field of the Cardinals.
The Gila River Indian Community manages three hotel-casinos within the state. Vee Quiva Hotel & Casino, located in Laveen Village, is one of them, while the remaining two, Lone Butte Casino and Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, are situated in Chandler. The tribe is presently considering the construction of a fourth casino, also to be located in Chandler.
Custom-built BetMGM Sportsbooks will soon be open at the three Gila River properties in time for the football season.
BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt referred to Gila River Hotels & Casinos and the Cardinals as “ideal partners” for the business in Arizona.
Kenneth Manuel, CEO of Gila River Hotels & Casino, is certain that the unification of these three top brands will provide the ultimate sports betting experience in Arizona.
The statement refers to the many past partnerships between the Cardinals and the Gila River community.
Michael Bidwell, the proprietor of the Arizona Cardinals, stated, “This is an excellent chance to strengthen our enduring relationship with Gila River.” He went on to explain that the stadium’s latest financial casino will provide “a novel and innovative method to interact and engage with our fans.”
As previously stated, BetMGM plans to launch its first Arizona sportsbooks in time for the soccer season at the Gila River properties. Meanwhile, the company is taking a more relaxed approach to the opening date for State Farm Stadium. According to the announcement, the latter BetMGM is reportedly set to open for the 2022 NFL season.
By September, sports betting will start being offered in Arizona culture.
Sports betting was only recently legalized in Arizona in April 2021. This process also required the renegotiation and amendment of the tribal-state gaming compacts. These new compacts were granted federal approval by the end of May. Subsequently, the Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) developed and finalized the regulations for sports betting by the end of July.
The new law allows for a total of 20 gaming licenses. Half of these licenses are allocated for state-and-rsquo nations, which the federal government officially recognizes. The other half is designated for facilities and professional sports franchises within Arizona. The operator can access the state in various ways due to BetMGM’s collaborations with the Arizona Cardinals and the Gila River Indian Community.
Interestingly, the state has fewer than 10 professional sports teams but boasts of over two dozen tribes, many of which are competing for sports betting licenses.
The ADG is currently open to applications from interested permit buyers. The aim is to complete this process, inclusive of all necessary reviews and tests by September 9, which marks the beginning of the 2021 NFL season. This should allow enough time to issue certificates and open sportsbooks.