Sports Betting Recap: Arizona Intensifies, Louisiana Holds Back, Further Developments

Weekend Sports Roundup: The Fast and Furious World of Gambling

Welcome to this weekend's roundup! Here's a scorching hot wrap-up of the top U.S. sports betting stories, with a dash of fresh news and key insights to keep you looped in. Don't miss our sister site, Wild World of Gambling at US Bets!

Arizona's Licensing Debacle

It's a sticky situation for Arizona's Department of Gaming (ADG), thanks to legislators aiming for "parity" in event wagering licenses. The latest bill permits 10 licenses per professional sports team and tribe, totaling 20 licenses for retail and mobile betting. When Monday's application deadline came, the ADG had received 10 applications from pro franchises/teams and 15 from tribes.

Upcoming steps for the ADG include determining which applicants are "initially qualified" and, if more than ten tribes are qualified, licensing the top ten. Partnership news this week includes:

The White Mountain Apache with Maxim.
The Fort McDowell Yavapi-Apache Nation with Betfred.
BetMGM partnering with Gila River Casinos and the NFL Cardinals.
And many more, including deals with Harrah's/Caesars, BlueBet, Unibet, PointsBet, TwinSpires, and WynnBET.

For pro franchises/teams, Caesars is planning a temporary retail sportsbook at Chase Field, set to open on the 9th of September.

Louisiana's Sports Betting Promises

Former Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Jones asserts that sports betting should be live in Louisiana by the college football bowl season. Voters in 55 of 64 parishes legalized statewide mobile and retail wagering in November 2020, followed by a framework bill in June. Although Jones doubts it will be possible for the NFL season kick-off, he remains optimistic and anticipates seeing sports betting live by the bowl season.

The next LGCB meeting is scheduled for August 19th.

Houston Texans and Caesars: A Partnership for the Future

In Texas, sports betting can't become legal until 2023 at the earliest, but that didn't stop Caesars from moving ahead by partnering with the Houston Texans to become the NFL team's official casino partner. This is Caesars' first partnership with a professional sports team in Texas.

The deal includes Caesars Rewards sponsoring a free-to-play "Schedule Pick 'Em" game on the Texans' mobile app and offering exclusive prizes, including game tickets, trips to Caesars Entertainment destinations, and a chance to cheer on the Texans "like a Caesar" in luxury suites at NRG Stadium.

For those eagerly anticipating sports betting in Texas, take heart in Rep. Dan Huberty's efforts to present his bill, HB 2070, to the State Affairs Committee, paving the way for future dialogue.

As the sports world keeps spinning, keep your bets rolling and your knowledge growing with this week's bulletin!

In the world of sports betting, Phoenix-based teams and tribes are involved in a licensing competition, with 10 applications received from pro franchises/teams and 15 from tribes in Arizona.
Notably, several partnership deals have been announced, including the White Mountain Apache with Maxim, Fort McDowell Yavapi-Apache Nation with Betfred, BetMGM with Gila River Casinos and the NFL Cardinals, and more with Harrah's/Caesars, BlueBet, Unibet, PointsBet, TwinSpires, and WynnBET.
In Louisiana, efforts to legalize sports betting are underway, with former Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Jones predicting its launch by the college football bowl season, despite doubts about the NFL season kick-off.
Despite sports betting being illegal in Texas until at least 2023, Caesars has already partnered with the Houston Texans, becoming the NFL team's official casino partner, offering benefits like free-to-play games and luxury suite access.
With sports betting legislation still pending in Texas, Rep. Dan Huberty's bill HB 2070 may soon be presented to the State Affairs Committee, providing potential opportunities for discussion and future progress in the Lone Star State.