Trio of states launch sports betting on same day
Arizona, Washington, and South Dakota up and running in nick of time for new NFL season and potential betting bonanza
Just hours before kick-off for the new NFL season, the states of Arizona, Washington, and South Dakota went live with regulated sports betting.
This was the first time since PASPA’s repeal in 2018 that three jurisdictions have flicked the switch on sports betting on the same day.
Washington’s inaugural sportsbook flung open its doors at the tribal-owned Snoqualmie Casino – Seattle’s closest casino – while sports wagering got underway at South Dakota’s Deadwood casino properties.
However, Arizona grabbed most of the headlines as the state allows for commercial and tribal retail sports betting and, more importantly, unfettered mobile wagering with no requirement for in-person registration.
All the usual online suspects – including BetMGM, DraftKings and FanDuel – were ready to accept registrations on Thursday September 9 ahead of the NFL’s curtain-raiser between the Cowboys and the Buccaneers.
Other licensed operators include Barstool Sportsbook, BetRivers, Caesars, and WynnBET, although PointsBet was conspicuous by its absence after failing to secure a license through its tribal partner.
The Arizona Department of Gaming awarded all 10 available tribal licenses, yet just eight of the 10 permits up for grabs among the state’s professional sports organizations.
Teams will be able to have brick-and-mortar sportsbooks at their stadiums.
For instance, Caesars is to install a sportsbook at Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks, while FanDuel plans a facility at the Phoenix Suns’ Footprint Center.
The launch in the Grand Canyon State marked DraftKings’ 13th state for its mobile sportsbook app, while it was the 15th state for rival BetMGM.
“We’re pleased to officially bring BetMGM’s mobile sports betting offering to fans in Arizona in time for football season,” said BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt.
“We’ve built strategic partnerships with Gila River Hotels & Casinos and the Arizona Cardinals, two key players in the state, enabling us to create one-of-a-kind experiences for our Arizona customers.”
Arizona was one of the quickest states to launch sports betting after Governor Doug Ducey put his signature to the law in April 2021.
Its open market and favorable regulatory conditions, including the 10% tax rate on GGR, which is one of the lowest in the country, meant Arizona was always going to attract plenty of interest from operators large and small.
🇺🇸 A historic day in sports betting history as Arizona, South Dakota, and Washington markets go live!
This marks the first time ever that three states have launched on the same day.
Check out every legal sports betting state in our interactive map. 👇 https://t.co/9clGY6F143
— American Gaming Association (@AmericanGaming) September 9, 2021
The tri-state launches, as well as Wyoming recently joining the party, means there are now 26 states plus Washington DC with live and legal sports betting, including 17 with mobile options.
Another six states, including Connecticut, Florida, Louisiana, and Maryland, have passed laws and are poised to launch in the coming weeks and months.