Big news for Arizona sports betting proponents today as Governor Doug Ducey approved the state’s legislation. In addition, Ducey signed an amended tribal compact that allows the state to move forward with legal online and retail sports betting.
That’s a huge announcement on its own, but it comes paired with two landmark partnership deals from two of the biggest names in sports betting: FanDuel and DraftKings.
DraftKings Teams Up With PGA Tour
DraftKings and the PGA Tour have inked a deal that gives the operator market access in Arizona, pending the state’s sports betting regulations and licensing process.
In addition to an online sportsbook, the deal includes a planned retail sports betting site 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.”
FanDuel And The Phoenix Suns
Not to be outdone by its biggest competition, FanDuel also announced an Arizona sports betting partnership. The operator will team up with the Phoenix Suns, Arizona’s NBA team, for market access.
“This is a watershed moment for the Suns organization and our fans,” said Phoenix Suns President & CEO Jason Rowley. “FanDuel is the perfect partner as our missions are fully aligned. Simply put, FanDuel is committed to making sports more exciting while the Suns are focused on delivering exciting sports and entertainment and engaging fans at the highest level possible.”
FanDuel will open a sportsbook in the Pheonix Suns arena as part of the deal. Online sports betting is part of the plan, too. Other details are sparse at the moment, but it’s safe to assume that FanDuel and the Phoenix Suns will leverage plenty of marketing opportunities in the Grand Canyon State.
“As we gear up to bring our best-in-class online and retail offerings to the state of Arizona, this is a momentous time for FanDuel, the Suns, and Suns fans alike,” said Mike Raffensperger, FanDuel Group CMO. “We’re excited to open a luxury sportsbook within Phoenix Suns Arena, as the beginning of a long-term and innovative collaboration that will have a lasting impact on the state.”
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