It is the first time in many years that Arizona Cardinals fans are excited for the season and hopeful for a playoff run. It’s also the first time in many years that sports bettors will actually want to wager on the Cardinals.
With the Arizona Department Of Gaming announcing a target date of Thursday, September 9 to officially legalize sports betting in Arizona, Cardinals fans in the state will get the chance to bet on their beloved team.
A bill was signed in April to legalize retail and online sportsbooks within the state of Arizona for those 21-years-old and older. However, the official start date has been unknown up until today. The target date of September 9 is just in time for the NFL 2021-22 season, with the Cowboys and Buccaneers kicking off week 1 that night on Thursday Night Football.
Sportsbooks Expected To Launch On September 9
The Cardinals play their first game of the season on Sunday, September 12 against the Tennessee Titans. With the Cardinals on the road, they are the +2.5 underdog.
If you are looking to take your chances on the Cardinals or want to bet on any NFL game that week, sportsbooks such as FanDuel, DraftKings, Caesars, and BetMGM are all expected to be ready for business by September 9.
DraftKings inked a deal with the PGA Tour to offer a retail sportsbook at TPC Scottsdale. The sportsbook will also offer online betting for those in Arizona. The Phoenix Suns partnered with FanDuel to offer a retail sportsbook inside the Phoenix Suns Arena and also online betting with its app.
Caesars made a deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks and plans to offer online sports betting as well as a retail sportsbook near Chase Field. Gila River Casinos partnered with BetMGM to offer retail sportsbook locations in their casinos throughout Phoenix and the option to wager online.
There is still plenty of time for other sportsbooks to join, such as PointsBet and BetRivers.
The Details Of Arizona Sports Betting
Those in the state of Arizona will be able to place wagers on NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB, and even collegiate games. The only exception is that prop bets will not be allowed on collegiate games. Other than that, everything else seems to be fair game as of now.
Since the official launch date isn’t expected until September 9, the full list of rules and regulations should be released shortly before then.
The Backstory
It has taken years for the Arizona government to strike a deal with local tribes to allow sports betting in their casinos and online. The two parties were able to come to terms and in April of this year, Governor Doug Ducey signed House Bill 2772 48-12 into legislation to legalize sports betting in the state.
The bill allows the use of retail sportsbooks and online sportsbooks within the state lines. A total of 20 licenses are allowed, with ten going to tribal casinos and the other ten going to local sports franchises and venues.
It is no question that Arizona is a sports state so sports betting is expected to be a huge success in Arizona. Plus, the addition of sports betting will hopefully bring in extra revenue to the state.
About the Author
