Arizona sports betting customers began cashing in on early registration deals in the state from some of the country’s largest operators Saturday morning.
That’s because early registration for new Arizona sports betting apps launched in the Grand Canyon state at 12:01 a.m. local time Saturday. The Arizona Department of Gaming issued licenses for 18 operators on Friday.
RELATED: How to Register Early for Arizona Sports Betting Launch
Legal sports betting begins on Sept. 9, in time for the opening week of Arizona NFL betting and three days ahead of the Arizona Cardinals’ opening clash with the Tennessee Titans in Nashville. Arizona Cardinals betting is expected to be popular.
But one tribe is attempting to slow the start of sports betting in Arizona. The Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe filed a civil lawsuit Thursday seeking to delay sports betting. The suit in Maricopa County Superior Court has named Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey and Arizona Department of Gaming Director Ted Vogt as defendants. A Sept. 3 hearing has been scheduled.
Early Registration Deals
Five operators have confirmed to they will offer early registration deals to the public — DraftKings Arizona, FanDuel Arizona, BetMGM Arizona, Caesars Arizona and WynnBet Arizona.
DraftKings is giving users a 20% first-deposit match up to $1,000 as an acquisition offer, with up to $150 in free bets upon registration to those that register ahead of Sept. 9. Users can use both deals simultaneously.
For BetMGM, the operator’s acquisition offer includes risk-free bets up to $1,000, with $200 in free bets to those that register early in Arizona. Unlike others, BetMGM customers cannot take advantage of both offers at the same time.
WynnBet has announced that it will offer early registration in Arizona, but has not released any details of offers or promotions.
Caesars’ acquisition offer includes up to $5,000 in risk-free bets, with a $100 free bet upon registration to those that take advantage of early registration in Arizona. It also is giving new customers a $100 free bet, plus a $1 free bet for every point/run in contests involving Arizona teams if the wager is made before Sept. 13 for games Sept. 10-12.
FanDuel is offering up to $1,000 in risk-free bets as an acquisition offer, with $100 in site credit upon registration to those that register early. The operator, like DraftKings, is allowing bettors to use both offers at the same time.
Sports Betting Licenses in AZ
A total of 18 operator licenses were given out by the Arizona Department of Gaming on Friday.
Those licenses went to eight Arizona professional sports teams or pro venues, and 10 were awarded to Arizona tribes.
In total, 24 operators applied for sportsbook permits in the state, which triggered an eight-business day delay so state regulators could research all applicants.
