Like a handful of other states, Arizona has been diligently working toward legalizing sports betting, online and retail. Once Governor Doug Ducey signed the legislation and the tribal compacts back in April, that left just one more step.
The compacts needed federal approval courtesy of the Department of the Interior, which the state received on May 24, via a notice published in the Federal register. Ducey commented on the news on Twitter:
“Gaming creates thousands of jobs for Arizonans, it generates tax revenue that benefits key areas of our communities, and it draws visitors to our state. The tribal-state gaming compact amendment, along with its associated legislation, was the culmination of a multi-year process, and I was proud to work with all the stakeholders on this historic accomplishment.”
The plan has been to get sports betting live in time for the 2021 NFL season, and the current launch date is set for Sept. 9. To that end, the Arizona Department of Gaming began working on crafting the rules and regulations following the approval of HB 2772 and the tribal compacts by Ducey.
A clause added to the bill paved the way for the Department of Gaming to begin creating the necessary rules and regulations immediately.
It is not unusual for a state to take up to six months to complete the rule-making process. But it can be done in less; Indiana and Iowa got it done in three.
In recent months, operators have already been staking their claim to the state. FanDuel is the official betting partner of the Phoenix Suns; Caesars has the Arizona Diamondbacks covered. DraftKings has a deal with TPC Scottsdale, the home of the Waste Management Phoenix Open.
Barstool Sports and WynnBet could gain access via relationships with NASCAR.
The bill allows the state to approve 20 licenses, 10 for professional sports organizations and 10 for the state’s Native American tribes. Licenses will allow operators to engage in retail and online sports betting.
Tribes will not need a license per retail location; a single license can cover multiple physical locations.
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