Arizona Mobile Sports Wagering Sets Records in First Two Months
Arizona
Arizona is proving that legalized mobile sports betting is something that can be a win-win-win situation for all.
In just the first 53 days of sports betting being legal and offered throughout Arizona, the state has reported that $777.3 million has been wagered by sports bettors. What’s more, almost all of that betting was done through the state’s mobile sports betting apps.
This is all according to a recent report that the Arizona Department of Gaming published last week. It covered all data from wagering in the state that happened in the months of September and October.
The data for November should be released by the end of this month, and many believe it’s going to show continued strong support for mobile sports betting.
A Record-Setting Start
Arizona’s start to legalized sports betting wasn’t just impressive, it was downright historical. In fact, the $777.3 million that was wagered in legal sports betting in the first two months of operation was the highest total of any state’s first two months of betting.
The previous high-water mark came from Virginia, which took in $324.7 million in wagers in the first two months of legalized sports betting there.
Many industry pundits have said that there are a number of factors that have gone into Arizona’s early success. One of the main reasons was great timing, as the state rolled out sports betting operations just as the football season was starting — and that is always the most popular sport for Americans to bet on.
In addition, Arizona has a rapid sports fan base, and one that loves to bet on sports. Finally, the state structured the laws well so that operators could come into Arizona, offer their services and make enough money to make it worth their while.
A Win All Around
The way that Arizona has approached legalized sports betting has resulted in a win for sports bettors, a win for sportsbook operators and a win for the state as well.
Fees and taxes that the state charges for sports betting resulted in approximately $15 million in revenue for the state, according to the Arizona Department of Gaming’s report.
When Arizona launched sports betting operations on September 9 of 2021, they rolled out mobile sports betting right away. That’s a huge positive for the operators, the state and sports bettors, who don’t have to travel to make their bets in person.
The state’s sports betting laws allow for 20 online sportsbook operators and 20 retail sportsbooks to open throughout Arizona. Ten of the wagering licenses in the state are going to professional sports franchises such as the Phoenix Suns of the NBA, while another 10 went to Arizona’s various Native American tribes.
The sports teams are able to launch both an online sportsbook — or partner with a major operator to do so — and open a retail sportsbook as well, as long as it’s located within a quarter mile of their home stadium.
Where things stand today is quite a long way from where Arizona started. Sports betting legislation was first introduced back in 2019, but it didn’t have a lot of political support at first.
Now, just two years later, not only is there plenty of support for sports betting legislation, but the actual operations of the practice in Arizona has proven to be record-breaking.
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