Arizona Department of Gaming Adopts Rules for Event Wagering and DFS Contests

After announcing a full-scale regulation of the dynamic sports betting and fantasy sports landscapes, the Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) has officially opened the doors for applications related to event wagering licenses.

This development follows the signing of House Bill 2772 and amended Tribal-State Gaming Compacts, empowering the ADG to work on a regulatory framework for event wagering and fantasy sports contests.

Submission Valid Until March 4th

As announced on the official website, the ADG will entertain applications for event wagering licenses starting on February 16, 2024, and the submission window will conclude on March 4, 2024, at 5 PM. The agency is set to issue a minimum of one event wagering license reserved for Arizona Tribes and another for Arizona Sports Franchises, as per the stipulations of A.R.S. § 5-1304 and A.A.C. R19-4-105 and 106.

The report reads how prospective applicants are urged to review the materials provided on the ADG's website, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the application process and associated requirements. On that account, the ADG will meticulously evaluate each application based on the criteria outlined in the State's event wagering rules and statutes.

The enabling legislation, a product of House Bill 2772, laid the foundation for the ADG to act as the primary regulator and enforcement body for event wagering and fantasy sports contests in the state of Arizona.

Furthermore, the legislation mandated event wagering and fantasy sports contests providers to offer assistance for individuals grappling with gambling problems. It also enables individuals to voluntarily exclude themselves from participating in these newly legalized forms of wagering across the state.

Under the new regulations, a maximum of 20event wagering licenses are available in the state, with 10 reserved for Arizona Tribes. An equal number will be allocated for owners of Arizona professional sports teams or franchises, operators of sports facilities hosting PGA Tour tournaments, promoters of national stock car auto racing events in Arizona, or their designees.

In a parallel announcement, the ADG revealed the allocation of 10 temporary limited event wagering operator licenses to racetracksand off-track betting locations throughout Arizona. It's crucial to note that these licenses, while a significant step forward, do not immediately authorize these locations to start accepting event wagers.

The licensed entities must undergo therequired licensing process and receive approval from the Department before they can commence event wagering activities.

A New Era for Gaming in the State

Arizona's move towards a regulated and structured approach to event wagering and fantasy sports contests is seen as a proactivemeasure to balance the excitement of these activities with responsible gaming practices.

The adoption of comprehensive rules by the ADG signals a new era for the state's gaming landscape, providing a legal framework that ensures fairness, transparency, and safeguards for all participants in these burgeoning industries.

Some of the approved operators are Unibet (Quechan Tribe), DraftKings, WynnBet (San Carlos Apache Tribe), FanDuel, BetMGM (Arizona Cardinals), FFPC, DraftKings (TPC Scottsdale), Yahoo, Golden Nugget (Hualapai Tribe), Fanduel (Phoenix Suns), Underdog Sports, Barstool Sports (Phoenix Speedway), Dataforce, and more.

Source:

“Temporary Limited Event Wagering Operator Licenses Announced”, gaming.az.gov, January 16^th, 2024.