Sports Betting Recap: Arizona Flood, Louisiana Postponement, Further Developments

Here's the lowdown on the latest sports betting happenings this weekend, where chaos reigns supreme and there's not enough hours in the day to catch it all! We bring you a roundup of top U.S. sports betting stories, shedding light on fresh developments, and keeping you in the loop. Read on to uncover what's been shaking in Arizona, Louisiana, and other key regions across the country!

Sticky Situation in Arizona

The Arizona legislators left the Department of Gaming in a bit of a pickle when they opted for "parity" in issuing event wagering licenses. A bill was passed that permits 10 event wagering operator licenses each for professional sports teams/franchises and tribes, totaling 20 licenses for operators to offer retail and mobile betting. By the time the application window closed this week, the ADG had received 10 applications from pro franchises/teams and a staggering 15 from tribes. The first step is to determine which of the applicants are "initially qualified," which will be done early next week. If more than 10 tribes clear this round, the fun begins as the ADG must choose which 10 will ultimately get the licenses.

Several tribes and tribal groups have formed partnerships for this race, with the latest being the White Mountain Apache, who teamed up with Maxim. The Fort McDowell Yavapi-Apache Nation recently partnered with Betfred, with the biggest news of the week being BetMGM's deal with Gila River Casinos and the NFL Cardinals. Other tribes with partners include:

Ak-Chin Indian Community (Harrah's/Caesars)
Colorado River Tribes (BlueBet)
Fort Yuma Quechan Tribe (Kindred/Unibet)
Yavapi-Apache Nation (PointsBet)
Tonto-Apache Tribe (TwinSpires)
San Carlos Apache Tribe (WynnBet)

Meanwhile, operators partnerships with pro sports franchises/teams continue to push forward. Caesars Sportsbook is planning to open a temporary retail sportsbook at Chase Field on September 9, as per AZFamily.com. The company plans to offer betting via kiosks and launch their mobile app. FanDuel, partnered with the Phoenix Suns, is making steady progress on their retail book, even sharing some pics this week.

Louisiana Hoping for a Bowl Season Launch

After a summer of turbulence, former Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Jones believes sports betting should be live in the state by the college football bowl season. Voters in 55 of 64 parishes approved statewide mobile and retail wagering on the November 2020 ballot, and lawmakers cleared a framework bill in June. Since then, the LGCB has been working on the application process and regulations. Jones, now a consultant with Entain, stated it's unlikely the regulator will be ready to launch operators by the NFL season, but he's optimistic the process is well underway, and sports betting could be live by the end of the football season.

The next LGCB meeting is set for August 19. In June, Jones was not confirmed again by the Senate, and in late July, Ronnie Johns resigned as a state senator to accept an appointment as chairman.

Caesars Cements Partnership in Texas

Though sports betting cannot be legalized in Texas until 2023 at the earliest since the state legislature only meets in odd-numbered years, Caesars began laying groundwork this week by forming a partnership with the Houston Texans. The deal makes Caesars the NFL team's official casino partner—their first professional sports team partnership in Texas.

Caesars Rewards will sponsor the free-to-play "Schedule Pick 'Em" game on the team's mobile app, offering exclusive prizes, such as game tickets, and a trip to a Caesars Entertainment destination property. One season ticket holder at each home game will also be selected for a chance to win an all-inclusive trip to Las Vegas, while rewards members may score the chance to cheer on the Texans "like a Caesar" from a luxury suite at NRG Stadium.

Other Top Stories This Week

Road to Launch

The New York Gaming Commission received six mobile sports wagering applications, including a "super bid" from multiple industry heavyweights.

Louisiana Market

Florida-Seminole Compact published, indicating a possible fall go-live date.

Canadian Market

Canada to enact single-event sports betting, potentially setting the stage for a pre-Labor Day launch.

Connecticut Market

Rush Street Interactive is Connecticut Lottery's sports betting partner.

North Carolina Market

Lawmakers and constituents support legalizing sports betting in North Carolina.

That's all for this week's roundup! Stay tuned for more updates, folks!

The Arizona Department of Gaming faces a challenging decision as they determine which applicants are "initially qualified" for event wagering operator licenses, after receiving more applications from tribes than there are available licenses.
In the Arizona sports-betting arena, Caesars Sportsbook plans to open a temporary retail sportsbook at Chase Field on September 9, while FanDuel, partnered with the Phoenix Suns, is progressing on their retail book.
In Louisiana, former Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Jones is hopeful that sports betting will be live by the college football bowl season, following voter approval in November 2020 and a framework bill passed by lawmakers in June.
Caesars has crossed the border to Texas, forming a partnership with the Houston Texans, making them the NFL team's official casino partner and paving the way for future sports-betting opportunities.
Across the nation, developments in New York, Louisiana, Florida, Canada, Connecticut, and North Carolina continue to shape the landscape of sports betting, with various applications, compact agreements, and legislative support driving momentum in these markets.