Sports Betting Revolution: Weekly Update: Arizona Overflow, Louisiana Postponement, Further Developments
It's a wild ride on this blue dot with all the sports betting news flooding in! Here's the lowdown on this week's top stories in the US sports betting world. Give a quick glance, and dive deeper if you're in the mood for more.
Arizona's Licensing Quandary
Arizona's racing is pumped up with too many contenders in the running for event wagering licenses. With lawmakers pushing for "parity," Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) finds itself in a pickle since the application window closed. The ADG received 10 applications from professional franchises/teams and 15 from tribes, way more than the 20 licenses up for grabs. The ADG will evaluate the applications and determine which ones are initially qualified early next week. If more tribes are qualified, the ADG will need to select the top 10 to receive licenses[1].
So far, nine tribes or tribal groups have partners[1]: White Mountain Apache (Maxim), Fort McDowell Yavapi-Apache Nation (Betfred), Gila River Casinos & NFL Cardinals (BetMGM), 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), and San Carlos Apache Tribe (WynnBET).
The tribes that didn't secure deals are hustling, so surely there'll be more exciting partnerships in the works.
Meanwhile, the operators partnered with professional sports franchises/teams are moving full steam ahead. Caesars is planning to open a temporary retail sportsbook at Chase Field on September 9, offering betting via kiosks and its mobile app[1]. FanDuel, partnered with the Phoenix Suns, is progressing with its retail book and shared photos this week. They're aiming to go live on September 9 too.
Louisiana's Timeline
Former Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Jones believes that sports betting should be live in the state by the college football bowl season. After voter approval in 55 out of 64 parishes for statewide mobile and retail wagering on the November 2020 ballot, lawmakers approved a framework bill in June. Since then, the regulator has been working on the application process and regulations, although it's unlikely they'll be ready to launch operators by the NFL season[1].
Jones, now a consultant with Entain, stated that he's optimistic that sports betting will be well underway and launches by the end of the football season. Ronnie Johns resigned as a state senator late in July and accepted an appointment as chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board. The next meeting is set for August 19[1].
Caesars in Texas
Sports betting cannot be legalized in Texas until 2023, but that doesn't stop Caesars from laying the groundwork. Caesars announced a partnership with the Houston Texans to become their official casino partner, the first such deal for the casino brand in Texas[1]. Additionally, they will be the sponsor of the "Schedule Pick 'Em" game on the Texans' mobile app and will offer exclusive prizes, such as game tickets and a trip to a Caesars Entertainment resort property. Furthermore, one season ticket holder at each home game will have a chance to win an all-inclusive trip to Las Vegas, while rewards members could score a chance to cheer on the Texans like a Caesar from a luxury suite at NRG Stadium[1].
References:
- https://sportsbettingdime.com/news/louisiana-sports-betting-pushed-back-till-2023/
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/williamorlund/2021/08/09/arizona-has-too-many-sports-betting-partners-but-deals-continue-to-roll-in/?sh=219dc5f24264
- https://laillusions.com/news/louisiana-sports-betting-launch-on-time
- https://www.sporttechie.com/casinos-are-expanding-partnership-with-sports-teams-to-gain-market-access/
- https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2022/05/03/2432375/0/en/US-Sports-Betting-Industry-set-for-Exponential-Growth-in-2025.html
- https://www.dupagepolicyjournal.com/articles/-article-2.cfm?aid=14363
- https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/572399-texas-lawmakers-face-long-odds-in-passing-sports-betting-bill
- https://law.justia.com/constitution/us/trans/74/69.html
- https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2022-05-03/california-gambling-ballot-proposals
- https://www.arizonasports.com/news/past-present-and-future-of-legal-sports-betting-in-arizona-03292021/jQEVPdSQtVmAijRgCJTO1uJ7UFjtXa9IAA
In the sports-betting world, Caesars Entertainment is staking its claim in Texas by partnering with the Houston Texans, seeking to offer exclusive prizes and experiences, even though legalization is not expected until 2023. Arizona's sports-analysis landscape is complex due to an oversubscription of event-wagering license applications, leaving the Arizona Department of Gaming to make tough decisions and possibly resulting in more qualified tribes forming partnerships. In Louisiana, former Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Jones remains optimistic that sports betting will launch by the college football bowl season, following voter approval and the passage of a framework bill.
