The Arizona Department of Gaming announced Tuesday it will open a window from Feb. 16-March 4 for at least two event wagering licenses. One tribal license and “no less than one” professional sports franchise license will be available. There are currently 16 digital platforms available in the state, eight partnered with tribes and eight partnered with professional sports franchises. The 2021 law allows for a maximum of 20 licenses, 10 each for tribes and pro franchises.
When Arizona sports betting first launched, all 10 tribal licenses and eight professional franchise licenses were claimed. Nine tribes currently have licenses, leaving one available. Eight of the platforms tethered to tribal casinos, including BetMGM, are live. Bet365, which was licensed last year in partnership with the Ak-Chin Indian Community, has not yet launched.
Eight professional sports franchises were initially approved for licenses in 2021, and two remain. The ADOG opened an application window last summer, and ultimately awarded the Ak-Chin Indian Community its license, but there were no applicants for the then-available pro franchise license.
The only major operator that is not live in Arizona is Fanatics Sportsbook, which in August 2023 acquired PointsBet North America, gaining market access in 15 U.S. jurisdictions. Arizona was not one of those jurisdictions as PointsBet was originally awarded a license in the state in 2021 in partnership with Cliff Castle Casino, but the offer rescinded due to a “clerical error.”