Companies that want an Arizona sports betting license have good timing — and a month to prepare for the 12-day application window.
The state’s Department of Gaming announced the latest expansion window on June 7. Applicants can request a license to join the Arizona sports betting market from July 8 to the end of the day on July 19, 2024.
Just know Arizona is far from a desert when it comes to online betting options. Newcomers will compete with bet365, Caesars, BetMGM, FanDuel, Hard Rock, and DraftKings for market share.
Sports betting companies also must partner with either an Arizona sports franchise or an Arizona tribe as part of the licensing process.
Arizona Was Unibet’s Last State
Arizona was the last state standing as Unibet continued its retreat from the North American market. Parent company Kindred Group shut down the Unibet Arizona app and site on June 4, 2024. Users received ample notice, but they no longer have access to their accounts.
The departure is both an opportunity and a cautionary tale for operators interested in launching an Arizona app. A couple of well-known operators have decided to test the market so far in 2024.
Bet365 arrived in early February to become the state’s 17th sportsbook at the time. Fanatics Sportsbook was the 18th sportsbook when it launched on April 4, 2024. Unibet’s departure this week returns the state’s sportsbook count to 17.
Arizona Sports Betting License List — Tribal Partners
- Bet365 — AK-Chin Tribe
- Betfred — Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation
- Betway — Quechan Tribe
- Desert Diamond — Tohono O’odham Nation
- Fanatics Sportsbook — Tonto Apache Tribe
- Golden Nugget — Chualapai Tribe
- Hard Rock Bet — Navajo Nation
- SolSports (retail only) — Pascua Yaqui Tribe
- SuperBook — Fort Mojave Indian Tribe
Arizona Sports Betting License List — Sports Partners
- Bally Bet — Phoenix Mercury
- BetMGM — Arizona Cardinals
- BetRivers — Arizona Rattlers
- Caesars — Arizona Diamondbacks
- DraftKings — TPC Scottsdale
- ESPN Bet — Phoenix Speedway
- FanDuel — Phoenix Suns
- SaharaBets — Arizona Coyotes (team now in Utah)
Sports Betting Licenses are a Gamble for Operators
The Arizona Department of Gaming press statement said it was “pleased to announce” July’s application window — and for good reason. Each new sports betting arrival is a small windfall for the state budget.
Prospective operators must submit a $100,000 payment just to have their application processed and considered. If approved, the company pays a $750,000 initial licensing fee.
New arrivals like bet365 and Fanatics clearly see the upside. Arizona sports betting set a new record in March when about $760 million in wagers (“handle”) changed hands.
The state also is flanked by California, where online sports betting is a massive, untapped market. New Mexico limits game wagers to in-person sports betting on tribal lands.
Out-of-state residents can simply cross the state line with their devices to use an Arizona sports betting app.
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