Weekly Sports Betting Update: Arizona Flood, Louisiana Postponement, Further Developments

Here's our weekly rundown of the top U.S. sports betting stories, fresh insights, and other interesting reads from around the network:

Arizona's Rush for Licenses

The Arizona Department of Gaming finds itself in a tough spot due to legislators' push for "parity" in event wagering licenses. The bill allows 10 licenses for both professional sports teams/franchises and tribes, totaling 20 licenses. When the application window closed on Monday, the ADG received 10 applications from pro franchises/teams and 15 from tribes. The ADG plans to determine which applicants are "initially qualified" early next week, followed by deciding which 10 tribes will receive licenses (if more than 10 are qualified).

Tribes that have secured partnerships include the White Mountain Apache, Fort McDowell Yavapi-Apache Nation (partnering with Betfred), the 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).

Operators partnered with professional teams/franchises are moving forward. Caesars plans to open a temporary retail sportsbook at Chase Field on Sept. 9, offering kiosk betting and launching its mobile app. FanDuel, partnered with the Phoenix Suns, is making progress on its retail book and recently shared photos.

Louisiana's Sports Betting Launch Timeline

Ex-Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Jones expressed optimism that sports betting will be live in Louisiana by the college football bowl season. After voters in 55 of 64 parishes legalized statewide mobile and retail wagering in November 2020, lawmakers passed a framework bill in June. The LGCB has been working on the application process and regulations, but awards a summer of upheaval, suggesting it's unlikely regulators will launch by the NFL season. Jones is now a consultant with Entain.

Caesars Strikes Deal with Texans

Although sports betting cannot be legalized in Texas until 2023 at the earliest, Caesars has begun laying groundwork for a partnership with the Houston Texans this week. Caesars Rewards will be the sponsor of the free-to-play "Schedule Pick 'Em" game on the team's mobile app, offering exclusive prizes like game tickets and a trip to a Caesars Entertainment destination property. Furthermore, one season ticket holder at each home game will be selected for a chance to win an all-inclusive trip to Las Vegas, while rewards members could score an opportunity to cheer on the Texans “like a Caesar" from a luxury suite at NRG Stadium.

More Top Stories from Across the Network

New York: The New York Gaming Commission has received six mobile sports wagering applications, headlined by a "super bid" from various industry heavyweights. For more details, check out @MattRybaltowski's in-depth look at each submission.
Florida-Seminole Compact: Approved compacts suggest a fall go-live date for the Florida online sports betting market might be possible.
Canada: Canada plans to enact single-event sports betting, paving the way for a pre-Labor Day launch.
Connecticut: Rush Street Interactive is Connecticut Lottery's sports betting partner.
North Carolina: Lawmakers and constituents support legal sports betting in North Carolina.
DraftKings: DraftKings buys Golden Nugget Online Casino for $1.5B in stock.
Louisville: University of Louisville opposes athlete deals with Barstool Gambling Brand.
Saracryptoga: What Fasig-Tipton's leap into digital currency means for horse racing.
Shaquille O'Neal: Shaq has been named a brand ambassador for WynnBET and will be the face of advertising campaigns.
DraftKings Marketplace: DraftKings Marketplace debuts with Tom Brady NFTs, with significant success.

For more in-depth analysis and coverage, be sure to check out Sports Handle and US Bets.

Sources: 1- https://ybu.co/US-sports-betting ]

The Arizona Department of Gaming is considering qualifying 10 applicants from professional sports teams or franchises and 10 tribal applicants for sports betting licenses, as the push for "parity" in event wagering licenses has led to an influx of applications.
In the case of Arizona, stakeholders such as the White Mountain Apache, Fort McDowell Yavapi-Apache Nation, the Ak-Chin Indian Community, Colorado River Tribes, Fort Yuma Quechan Tribe, Yavapi-Apache Nation, Tonto-Apache Tribe, and San Carlos Apache Tribe have already secured partnerships for sports betting.
Caesars Entertainment, partnering with the Houston Texans, has signed a deal despite the fact that sports betting won't be legalized in Texas until 2023, offering rewards to fans like NRG Stadium luxury suite access and all-inclusive trips to Caesars Entertainment destinations.
In New York, heavyweights have submitted mobile sports wagering applications to the New York Gaming Commission, and the September launch of sports betting in the state might be on the horizon.
Meanwhile, Canada is on track to implement single-event sports betting, potentially allowing for a pre-Labor Day launch in the country.