When sports betting is legalized in a new state, sponsorships and partnerships soon follow. Some are made even before it’s approved in the state.
With the recent Arizona sports betting legislation being approved and details currently being worked out for who will be in the state to operate, one betting platform and major sports organization got the foundation laid out in mid-April. Others soon followed.
How Licenses Will Work
The legislation approved on April 12 allows for mobile and retail sports betting, daily fantasy sports wagering and other gaming opportunities. It was signed into law three days after the state legislature passed the bill.
There will be 20 sports betting licenses available. Tribes receive 10 and another 10 could go to Arizona professional sports teams and leagues.
The Arizona Department of Gaming is working on sports betting regulations, including a tax rate, before it approves sportsbook operators. Lawmakers hope Arizona betting apps will start before the upcoming NFL season in early September.
DraftKings and the PGA Tour announced on April 14 they would expand their existing commercial relationship to provide DraftKings Sportsbook Arizona market access for retail and mobile sports betting in Arizona.
Teams Work Quickly
On the day Gov. Doug Ducey signed the bill into law — April 15 — the Phoenix Suns and FanDuel Arizona 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.
On May 6, Caesars Entertainment announced a partnership with the Arizona Diamondbacks mobile sports betting to build a brick-and-mortar sportsbook and bar on the plaza adjacent to the team's home, Chase Field, in downtown Phoenix. According to a news release, 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.
The Diamondbacks and Suns venues are both on East Jefferson Street, just blocks from each other, giving Arizona sports bettors plenty of options.
More About the PGA & DraftKings Deal
The PGA Tour and DraftKings announced plans 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.
“When DraftKings became the first Official Betting Operator of the PGA Tour last summer, a number of possibilities opened up to innovate together,” Ezra Kucharz, the chief business officer at DraftKings, said in a news release at the time of the announcement. “This momentous effort to pursue a first-of-its-kind sportsbook with the PGA Tour is a testament to the vision of both organizations that we believe will ultimately benefit Arizona sports fans who want to legally bet on sports.”
The PGA Tour and DraftKings 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 at a later date.
Waste Management Phoenix Open Partnership
DraftKings will also become the exclusive sports betting partner of the Waste Management Phoenix Open hosted annually at TPC Scottsdale. The PGA Tour and DraftKings will collaborate on co-marketing initiatives.
Currently, DraftKings is the official daily fantasy game and an official betting operator of the PGA Tour. The company powers sports and gaming entertainment for 50-plus operators in 17 countries.
DraftKings Sportsbook is live with mobile and/or retail betting operations in Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and soon Arizona.
