DraftKings to enter Arizona sports betting market via PGA Tour deal

The PGA Tour and DraftKings announced that they will expand their current commercial partnership to offer DraftKings commerce admission for retail and mobile sports betting in Arizona, pending statutory consent.

This is due to the subsequent Arizona Legislature´s passage of HB 2772, which would authorize fantasy sports and sports betting in the state pending action from Governor Doug Ducey. Both companies also announced, as part of this agreement, plans to run a premium retail sportsbook at TPC Scottsdale.

“When DraftKings became the first Official Betting Operator of the PGA Tour last summer, a number of possibilities opened up to innovate together,” said Ezra Kucharz, Chief business officer at DraftKings. “This momentous effort to pursue a first-of-its-kind sportsbook with the PGA TOUR is a testament to the vision of both organizations that we believe will ultimately benefit Arizona sports fans who want to legally bet on sports.”

At TPC Scottsdale, where fans can congregate year-round to place wagers, watch sports and enjoy quality food and beverage options, PGA Tour and Draftkings plan to create a visibly striking “19thhole” experience. Several locations are being considered at TPC Scottsdale for the retail sportsbook, with details to be announced at a later date.

Norb Gambuzza, Senior Vice President of Media and Gaming at the PGA Tour said: “The PGA Tour commends the State of Arizona and Governor Ducey for their forward-thinking approach to legal sports betting. We are thrilled to work with DraftKings – along with the City of Scottsdale and the Thunderbirds – to explore a one-of-a-kind sportsbook experience at TPC Scottsdale and the world-class Waste Management Phoenix Open. ‘The People’s Open’ is one of the most attended events in golf and with this announcement we look forward to taking the fan experience to another level.”

In conformity with the broadened arrangement, DraftKings will also become the select sports betting associate of the Waste Management Phoenix Open hosted annually at TPC Scottsdale. Moreover, the PGA Tour and DraftKings will participate in co-marketing initiatives and exclusive hospitality experiences to position TPC Scottsdale as a premier global destination for sports bettors and avid golf fans.

This partnership is the newest in a chain of progressive and industry-leading sports betting initiatives by the PGA Tour. In 2018, according to the U.S. Supreme Court´s decision which overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), the PGA Tour established a strong integrity program in partnership with Genius Sports and afterward that year revealed a global alliance with IMG ARENA to license its official, live scoring data to betting operators all over the world.

The Tour’s Official Betting Operator classification was launched in 2020 and the corporation persists to evolve its innovative GolfBet partnership with The Action Network. The TOUR is a platinum associate of the National Council on Problem Gambling and is lined up with the American Gaming Association as a Have A Game Plan. Bet Responsibly public service campaign partner to instruct golf fans on liable sports gambling.