The third sports betting operator’s license for Arizona sports betting has been awarded to BetMGM and its partners, the Arizona Cardinals and the Gila River Community.

The news, which was confirmed to Bookies.com Thursday, comes days after FanDuel (in partnership with the Phoenix Suns) and Penn National Gaming/Barstool Sports (in partnership with Phoenix International Raceway) were granted approval by the Arizona Department of Gaming.

Approved sportsbooks and betting apps in Arizona can begin early registration on Saturday at 12:01 a.m local time. Arizona is planning to launch the market on Sept. 9, the first day of the NFL season, just in time for NFL betting.

The BetMGM-Cardinals-Gila River Community deal paves the way for a sportsbook to open at Glendale’s State Farm Stadium that the Las Vegas-based operator will manage. Additionally, the company will help operate sportsbooks at three Gila River Hotels and Casino facilities.

“It is an exciting day here at BetMGM to get the official sign-off to launch on day one of sports betting in Arizona,” said BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt in a company news release. “Through our partnerships with Gila River and the Arizona Cardinals, as well as the benefits of being connected to MGM Resorts properties nationwide, we have many exciting things in store for sports fans in Arizona.”

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BetMGM Early Registration Deals

BetMGM will offer early registration deals to Arizona gamblers, beginning at 12:01 a.m. local time Saturday, the release said.

The early registration offer from BetMGM is $200 in free bets upon registration, with up to $1,000 in free bets as the company’s acquisition offer. The operator does not allow users to use both deals at the same time, however. Users can access discounts by entering the promotional code "BOOKIES" when prompted.

So far, we know that 26 operators have applied for one of the 20 available licenses, which are split evenly among parties that are partnered with Arizona tribes and professional sports teams.

The department has a Friday deadline to inform operators about whether their license applications have been approved or denied.

Partnerships With Teams

Other sports team partnerships in the Valley include deals between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Caesars, the Phoenix Mercury and Bally’s, and Phoenix Rising FC and an unnamed operator.

The Arizona Coyotes of the NHL are the only Valley professional team not to have partnered with an operator. DraftKings has partnered with TPC Scottsdale and the PGA Tour to put a sportsbook at the facility.

There are 16 partnerships between tribes in Arizona and gaming operators, though not all have been publicly announced, as of Thursday morning.

Daily fantasy sports can go live on Saturday in Arizona. Operators will learn no later than 4 p.m. local time Friday if they have received approval.