Betfred Sports and new We-Ko-Pa casino to launch retail, mobile sports betting in Arizona

We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort and Betfred Sports have signed an agreement to offer sports betting in Arizona, the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation announced on Wednesday.

The companies will partner to build a “state-of-the-art, Las Vegas-quality retail sportsbook” at the recently opened We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort in Fort McDowell, Arizona, while also launching mobile and online betting under the Betfred Sports brand.

According to a press release, the formal launch of retail and online sport betting is contingent on licensing and regulatory approval and is planned “for late 2021.”

On the partnership, Bernadine Burnette, President of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation said it marks a new chapter for We-Ko-Pa, and that they are “thrilled to pursue an event wagering license” to allow offering sports betting to retail and digital customers.

“Arizona is an amazing opportunity for Betfred Sports to continue its expansion in the US after successful launches in Iowa, Colorado and Pennsylvania,” said Mark Stebbings, Betfred Group Chief Operating Officer. The UK-based sportsbook is currently also expecting to launch operations in Nevada, pending regulatory approval, and is sponsor of the Denver Broncos and Colorado Rockies.

The We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort opened October 29, 2020, and counts with 166,341 square foot and counts with state-of-the-art gaming options, a variety of restaurants and live entertainment. Its attached AAA Four Diamond hotel offers 246 guestrooms and suites, 25,000 square foot of meeting space, and two pools.

Gaming options include 850 state-of-the-art slot machines; a 400-seat smoke-free bingo hall with 50-inch monitors; 22 blackjack tables, and a poker room featuring five tables with live games and tournaments.

"We're proud that we were Arizona's first casino and are now the state's newest casino," said Burnette in 2020. "Gaming has been a part of our tribal community for the past three decades and has allowed us to provide financial security for our members and employees."