Turf Paradise Racing in Phoenix will join the Arizona sports betting marketplace next week.
The horse racing stalwart announced Wednesday it would debut a temporary sports betting area at the track April 13 in partnership with Unibet Arizona. Turf Paradise is at 19th Avenue and Bell Road in the North Valley.
Patrons will be able to bet on live and off-track horse racing and sporting events all at one location. Turf Paradise announced its partnership with Unibet in March. Unibet also has a mobile license in the state through the Fort Yuma-Quechan Tribe.
“It’s an exciting time for Turf Paradise as we will continue to provide pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing, but also with our partner Unibet, offer another form of wagering on other sports as well,” Vincent Francia, the track’s general manager, said in a company press release.
What the Turf Paradise Sportbook Will Look Like
Turf Paradise’s Unibet facility will initially open as a temporary space on the first floor of the grandstand in the Paddock Room, with a permanent facility coming to the banquet room on the third floor of the track.
For now, the facility will be open for sports betting from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends, with adjusted hours during the fall for college and NFL football.
The retail sportsbook will feature six sports betting kiosks and a teller to help customers cash out, along with more than 20 televisions, the release said.
How Turf Paradise Got to Next Week’s Opening
Turf Paradise was previously denied an Arizona betting apps license from the Department of Gaming, then filed a complaint in Maricopa County Superior Court in August that was eventually dismissed.
The track received a limited event wagering license in late January. Limited licenses allow racetrack enclosures or off-track betting locations that hold Arizona Department of Racing permits to offer in-person sports betting so long as they’re at least five miles from tribal gaming, an event wagering facility or a fellow limited event wagering operator.
A total of 10 facilities received the limited licenses, including two of the state’s three horse racing tracks — Arizona Downs Racetrack in Prescott Valley and Turf Paradise.
The other eight licensees are off-track betting locations, with two inside the Phoenix city limits. The lone racetrack facility that did not receive a license was Rillito Downs in Tucson, which told BetArizona.com it sent an application into the ADG.
Applicants were required to submit a $1,000 application fee, which was part of the initial $10,000 license fee. There is also a $5,000 annual renewal fee.
Limited Event Wagering Licensees
- Arizona Downs (TBA)
- Gallagher’s Sports Grill — Baseline (Unibet)
- Gallagher’s Sports Grill — 16th (Unibet)
- Harold’s Restaurant Cave Creek (Unibet)
- Midtown Tavern Sports Bar and Grill (Unibet)
- Turf Paradise (Unibet)
- T. O’Sullivans Sports Grill (Unibet)
- Boston’s Bar & Grille (Unibet)
- Charlie’s Sports (Unibet)
- Brookside II Sports Bar and Grill (Unibet)
