All signs point to a partnership in place between sportsbook operator Rush Street Interactive and a sports team and/or casino in Arizona.
That’s the takeaway from the company’s earnings call on Thursday, where Chief Executive Officer Richard Schwartz laid out the company’s bullish view on the company’s rollout in states like Arizona and New York. RSI has submitted an Arizona betting apps application.
The company would be the 14th operator to apply for an Arizona sports betting license.
“In addition to successfully growing revenues in existing markets, we have made significant progress in securing access opportunities to new markets,” Schwartz said. "While new market access is a key pillar to our growth story, we also continue to work diligently to expand our exclusive content offering for both sports betting and casino games as exemplified by new partnerships with GTG Network for co-exclusive sports betting information and Boom Entertainment for exclusive casino content.”
Schwartz’s stance comes on the heels of RSI signing on to be the official partner of the Connecticut Lottery, giving the company wind behind its sails as the year progresses.
Arizona Has Many Interested Parties
A total of 20 sportsbook operators (10 pro teams/venues and 10 tribes) should be chosen in time for the Arizona Department of Gaming to roll out legalized sports betting on Sept. 9 when the 2021 NFL season kicks off. The ADG said it is still on schedule for the launch date.
In the Grand Canyon State, two professional sports teams, United Soccer League Premier side Phoenix Rising and the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes, have not announced a partnership.
The Rising has reached a deal with a sportsbook operator, but has not identified who they are.
“Phoenix Rising FC deeply appreciates the Arizona Legislature and Governor Ducey for including soccer fans in their vision for sports betting in the state," team governor Berke Bakay said. "As Arizona’s highest-level professional soccer team, Phoenix Rising FC has submitted its application to the Arizona Department of Gaming for an Event Wagering Operator’s License in partnership with a market-leading, best-in-class online sports betting operator. The club is excited to offer Arizona’s diverse soccer fans an opportunity to participate in this new form of entertainment.”
As far as tribes are concerned, some heavy hitters are still on the market, including the Tohono O’odham and Pascua Yaqui tribes in southern Arizona, as well as the Yavapai Prescott Indian Tribe, the Cocopah Tribe and the Navajo Nation.
Here’s a list of who’s officially partnered up in Arizona to date:
- PointsBet Sportsbook and Cliff Castle Hotel/Yavapai-Apache Nation
- WynnBet Sportsbook and Apache Gold and Sky casinos/San Carlos Apache
- William Hill/Caesars and Harrah’s AK-Chin Casino
- TwinSpires AZ Sportsbook and Mazatal Hotel & Casino/Tonto Apache Nation
- BlueBet and the Colorado River Indian Tribes
- Unibet AZ Sportsbook and the Fort Yuma Indian Reservation
- Betfred and the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation
- Gila River Community and BetMGM/Arizona Cardinals
- MaximBet and the White Mountain Apache Tribe
- FanDuel AZ Sportsbook and the Phoenix Suns
- Bally’s and the Phoenix Mercury
- DraftKings AZ Sportsbook and the PGA Tour/TPC Scottsdale
- Caesars and the Arizona Diamondbacks
- Barstool and Phoenix International Raceway/NASCAR
