Another piece of the Arizona sports betting puzzle came into form Monday, as Desert Diamond Casinos & Entertainment announced a sportsbook operating partner.
The enterprise of the Tohono O’odham Nation was one of the 10 Arizona-based tribes to receive a license from the Arizona Department of Gaming in August.
Desert Diamond is partnering with a Malta-based operator, Kambi Group, at its locations in Tucson, Glendale and Sahuarita, in addition to creating an online sportsbook that’s set to launch in the fourth quarter of 2021, the two companies announced in a press release Monday.
What the Partnership Entails
Desert Diamond’s partnership allows Kambi Group — a business-to-casinos operator that specializes in odds compiling, customer intelligence and risk management solutions to casino operators — to enter the competitive Arizona betting apps marketplace.
It also allows the Tohono O’odham Nation to use Kambi Group’s kiosks and “Bring Your Own Device” technology, which Desert Diamond Casinos & Entertainment CEO Mike Bean called a game-changer in a company press release.
“We are delighted to sign this multi-year agreement with Kambi, which has a proven track record in sportsbook provision across the globe,” Bean said in the release. “This exciting partnership provides Desert Diamond with the ability to leverage its long standing, well-regarded brand to provide our guests with a leading sports betting product across multiple channels.”
For Kambi Group CEO Kristian Nylén, the opportunity to partner with Desert Diamond and bring the company’s offerings to customers in Arizona was a no-brainer.
“We are very proud to partner with Desert Diamond Casinos & Entertainment, a deal which further strengthens Kambi’s strong relationship with tribal casino operators,” Nylén said in the release. “We look forward to working with them closely to deliver high-quality and exciting sports betting experiences to both its on-property patrons and online customers in the state of Arizona.”
Where Arizona Sports Betting Market Stands
A total of nine of the 18 operators that received licenses from the Arizona Department of Gaming have launched operations as of Monday.
Those that have launched sports betting operations in Arizona are:
- BetRivers Arizona (partnered with the Arizona Rattlers)
- BetMGM Arizona (partnered with the Arizona Cardinals/Gila River Community)
- Caesars Sportsbook (partnered with the Arizona Diamondbacks)
- DraftKings Sportsbook Arizona (partnered with TPC Scottsdale/PGA Tour)
- FanDuel Sportsbook Arizona (partnered with the Phoenix Suns)
- Penn National Interactive/Barstool Sports (partnered with Phoenix International Raceway/NASCAR)
- TwinSpires Sportsbook Arizona (partnered with Tonto Apache Tribe)
- Unibet Arizona (partnered with Quechan Tribe)
- WynnBET Arizona (partnered with San Carlos Apache Tribe)
Those that have received licenses but have yet to launch in Arizona are:
- Kambi Group (partnered with Tohono O’odham Nation)
- Bally’s (partnered with Phoenix Mercury)
- Fubo Gaming (partnered with Ak-Chin Indian Community)
- Betfred Arizona (partnered with Ft. McDowell Yavapai Nation)
- Golden Nugget (partnered with Hualapai Tribe)
- SuperBook Sports (partnered with Fort Mohave Indian Tribe)
- MaximBet (partnered with White Mountain Apache Tribe)
- Bet365 (TBA)
- Navajo Nation (TBA)
- Arizona Coyotes (TBA)
BetRivers was the latest operator to launch in the state, as its online site went live Oct. 22.
Representatives from Fubo Gaming said in mid-October the company was still on track to launch in Arizona sometime in the remainder of 2021.
