The newest tribal Arizona betting facility opened its doors to the public on the southern periphery of Phoenix this week.
Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, which is in Maricopa, launched a Caesars Sportsbook retail location Thursday.
What the Harrah’s Ak-Chin Sportsbook Includes
The temporary facility has four self-service betting kiosks and two betting windows, with more to come in the new year.
The Harrah’s Caesars-branded sportsbook is the fourth to open in the Valley, after Gila River Hotels & Casinos opened BetMGM Arizona sportsbooks at its three locations.
The betting windows are open Monday-Thursday from 10 a.m.-10 p.m., from 10 a.m.-11 p.m. on Saturdays, and from 8 a.m.-11 p.m. on Sundays, while the kiosks are open 24/7.
The Ak-Chin Indian Community was one of 10 Arizona tribes to receive a sports betting license from the state’s Department of Gaming. The Ak-Chin have an agreement with Fubo Gaming, which has been hoping to launch by the fourth quarter of 2021. With its Fubo Gaming online deal and Caesars retail sportsbook, the Ak-Chin is the first state tribe to work with two different sports betting partners.
For Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino Senior Vice President and General Manager Michael Kintner, this week’s Caesars opening represents a new era for its customers in the Grand Canyon State.
“We are thrilled that our valued Harrah’s Ak-Chin guests now have the opportunity to place a bet on their favorite sports team here at the casino,” Kintner said in the press release. “Whether at one of our kiosks, at our betting windows or through the Caesars Sportsbook mobile app, sports bettors can now enjoy an elevated sports betting experience with Caesars Sportsbook at Harrah’s Ak-Chin.”
Which Tribes Have Retail Sportsbooks in Arizona
Five Arizona tribes have opened retail sportsbooks, including the Ak-Chin Indian Community and Gila River Indian Community in the Phoenix area, and the Pascua Yaqui tribe and Tohono O’odham Nation in the Tucson area.
The Scientific Gaming-operated facility at Casino del Sol (Pascua Yaqui tribe) and the Kambi Group facilities at the Tohono O’odham’s Desert Diamond locations in Sahuarita, Tucson, Why, and Glendale are either open to the public or coming in 2022.
Elsewhere in the greater Valley region, Betfred Arizona and We-Ko-Pah Casino have teamed up to launch eight self-service kiosks at the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation-owned property.
Other tribes that received licenses but have yet to open retail locations include the Quechan Tribe (Unibet Arizona) and San Carlos Apache Tribe (WynnBET Arizona). Both companies, however, are already operating Arizona betting apps.
Gila River Hotels & Casinos opened BetMGM Arizona sportsbooks at its Vee Quiva, Wild Horse Pass and Lone Butte properties, while the Tonto Apache has opened a TwinSpires Sportsbook Arizona facility at its Mazaztal Hotel & Casino property in Payson.
A total of 10 Arizona tribes received mobile sports betting operator’s licenses from the Arizona Department of Gaming in August, though any tribe that’s a signatory on the 2021 gaming compact can offer retail sports wagering on tribal land.
