Arizona regulator to accept new license applications in February 

The Arizona Department of Gaming has announced that operators will be able to apply for a sports betting license in the Grand Canyon State next month.

The application process will open on February 16, 2024, and will close on March 5, 2024, at 5pm.

Applicants must submit their applications within this timeframe to be considered for a license.

The regulator will then assess the applications received and will review them in accordance with the criteria outlined in the state’s event wagering rules and statutes. 

Arizona tribes will have one license reserved, while the regulator will also award no less than one for sports franchises in the state. 

The license application window follows the previous period in 2023 when bet365 secured approval in the state after partnering with the Ak-Chin Indian Community.

Previous legislation allowed for a maximum of 20 event wagering licenses, with 10 of those reserved for the state’s tribes and another 10 reserved for sports franchises. 

There were also 10 limited event licenses available which were reserved for racetrack enclosures. 

There are currently 16 operators live in Arizona, with this figure to fall by one following Unibet’s exit which is pencilled to complete by the end of Q2.

DraftKings and FanDuel are currently the frontrunners in the Grand Canyon State as the pair each accepted $220m in wagers in October, which is the latest betting handle data to be published by the regulator.