While we’re still waiting on the state’s Department of Gaming on how sports betting in Arizona will be operated, a fourth partnership between two entities was created on Wednesday.
Bally’s and the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury entered into a 15-year agreement on Wednesday that begins on Thursday. It will mark the first gaming access deal with a professional women’s sports team for Bally’s, which now has access to its 15th state.
Upon the Mercury's receipt of a mobile sports betting license from the Arizona Department of Gaming, Bally's will host and manage an online platform within the state, operate a retail sportsbook in the vicinity of the Phoenix Suns Arena (home of the Mercury) and promote its services within Mercury games.
The Bally’s/Mercury collaboration is one of a few partnerships announced within the state to take advantage of legalized sports betting when it becomes fully operational, hopefully by the start of the AZ NFL betting season on Sept. 9.
DraftKings/PGA Tour
The PGA Tour and DraftKings announced plans on April 14 to operate a premium retail sportsbook at TPC Scottsdale, home of the Waste Management Phoenix Open, won this year by Brooks Koepka in early February.
The 2022 edition will be held Feb. 10-13.
DraftKings and the PGA Tour would expand their existing commercial relationship to provide DraftKings Sportsbook market access for retail and mobile sports betting in Arizona.
DraftKings will also become the exclusive sports betting partner of the Waste Management Phoenix Open hosted annually at TPC Scottsdale.
Both plan to create a “19th hole” experience at TPC Scottsdale, where fans can gather year-round to place wagers, watch sports and enjoy quality food and beverage options.
Both organizations said they are working closely with the City of Scottsdale and the Thunderbirds (the host organization of the Waste Management Phoenix Open) to develop the project and maximize economic, tourism and charitable benefits to the local community.
Several locations are being considered at TPC Scottsdale for the retail sportsbook, with details to be announced later.
FanDuel/Phoenix Suns
When Gov. Doug Ducey signed sports betting legislation into law on April 15, the Phoenix Suns and FanDuel Sportsbook announced a multiyear market access partnership, making the sports betting platform the Suns’ official sportsbook and Daily Fantasy Sports partner.
As part of the deal, FanDuel will open a retail sportsbook inside the Phoenix Suns Arena, expected to be completed in time for the start of the 2021-22 NBA season.
Caesars/Arizona Diamondbacks
On May 6, Caesars Entertainment announced a partnership with the Arizona Diamondbacks to build a brick-and-mortar sportsbook and bar on the plaza adjacent to the team's home, Chase Field, in downtown Phoenix. The new sportsbook, sports bar, and broadcast studio will take over the location formerly known as Game 7 Grill on the Plaza at Chase Field.
The deal gives Caesars mobile sports betting market access and sponsorship opportunities in sports betting and daily fantasy sports with the Diamondbacks.
