Arizona regulators target sports betting launch on Sept. 9

Arizona gambling regulators stated Wednesday they hope to have new licenses for sports gambling issued by the start of the 2021 National Football League season in September.

Two weeks after federal officials approved changes to the state’s tribal gaming compacts, the announcement of the target date for new sports betting came over. Such a decision by the U.S. Department of Interior was needed for the new sports gambling law signed by Republican Governor Doug Ducey in April to go into effect.

The state Department of Gaming can issue 10 licenses for sportsbooks to major sports franchises, such as the Arizona Cardinals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Coyotes, and Phoenix Suns. Others who can get sports gambling licenses include pro golfing and NASCAR events, according to AP News.

Tribes will be allowed to run sports betting operations at their casinos. The tribes and professional teams will also be allowed to run sportsbooks close to their respective venues.

The Department of Gaming plans to have draft rules for sports betting and fantasy sports ready for a one-week public comment period set to start on June 14. The first bets are expected to be allowed on Sept. 9, the NFL’s opening day, in advance of the Cardinals away opener on Sunday, Sept. 12, against the Tennessee Titans.

Backers of the legislation underlined they hope the state can bring in as much as $100 million a year in new revenue. While the Legislature’s budget analysts put that figure at $34 million (acknowledging it is speculative.)

The tribes protect their exclusive right to most gambling in Arizona under the gaming compact approved by the state’s voters in 2002 and will continue to get that protection under the new deal.

Besides the new sports and online betting, tribes can expand their exclusive gambling offerings, adding games such as Baccarat and craps and increasing the number of slot machines while maintaining existing offerings of blackjack and poker.