Arizona’s governor has yet to sign the state’s newly approved sports betting legislation but the development of the first sportsbook has already been announced.
DraftKings and the PGA Tour announced plans on Wednesday to create a sportsbook at the TPC Scottsdale golf course. DraftKings said the PGA would provide market access for retail and mobile sports betting in Arizona, pending regulatory approvals.
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey is expected to sign the legislation, that was approved by lawmakers on Monday in which up to 10 Arizona tribes and 10 professional teams or venues could have retail sports betting with a licensed operator.
DraftKings, which has an agreement with PGA Tour to be the golf association’s official sports betting partner, said the deal provided “a number of possibilities” in which to affiliate in the activity.
“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,” DraftKings Chief Business Officer Ezra Kucharz said in a statement.
DraftKings currently operates mobile and/or retail sports betting in 14 of the current 22 states with legal sports wagering. Arizona officials have said they are looking to launch legal sports betting later this year.
DraftKings said it plans to create a “19th hole” experience at TPC Scottsdale, allowing fans to gather year-round to place wagers, watch sports, and enjoy dining and beverage options. The course hosts the annual Waste Management Phoenix Open. The PGA Tour and DraftKings will collaborate on co-marketing initiatives and exclusive hospitality experiences at TPC Scottsdale.
Several locations are being considered at TPC Scottsdale for the retail sportsbook.
Norb Gambuzza, senior vice president of media and gaming at the PGA Tour, commended that state and governor “for their forward-thinking approach to legal sports betting.”
Ducey negotiated the package and urged lawmakers to approve it. The bill allows betting on professional and college sports at sites owned by pro sports teams and at tribal casinos. It also allows gambling on fantasy sports and new Keno games at horse race tracks and fraternal organizations.
Passage of the legislation is tied to the updated gaming compact Ducey has struck with tribes but has not released to the public.
The biggest part of the plan would allow pro sports teams like the Arizona Coyotes, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Arizona Cardinals to run sports betting operations at their respective venues, at a retail location within a quarter-mile, and online.
Tribes could run sportsbooks at two dozen tribal casinos in the state.
Howard Stutz is the executive editor of CDC Gaming. He can be reached at hstutz@cdcgaming.com. Follow @howardstutz on Twitter.
