TwinSpires is approved to go live in the Arizona sports betting market on Thursday. It will be the eighth sportsbook operator to launch in the state.

The TwinSpires approval was confirmed Wednesday by Maxwell Hartgraves, public information officer of the Arizona Department of Gaming, and by Tonto Apache tribal gaming office Executive Assistant Maria Moreno. It should be live in time for Week 2 of NFL betting.

TwinSpires is partnered with the Tonto Apache Tribe and its Mazatzal Hotel and Casino. It will be among the top sportsbooks and betting apps available to sports bettors in Arizona. Tonto Apache is the first tribe to launch sports betting in Arizona.

Moreno said her office issued final approval to the Louisville-based operator on Wednesday morning, paving the way for the operator to go live with sports betting on Thursday.

Owned by Churchill Downs Inc., TwinSpires on Thursday will be joining BetMGM Sportsbook, Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings Sportsbook, FanDuel, Penn National Interactive/Barstool Sports and WynnBET as the latest operator to go live in the state. The Arizona sports betting market went live on Sept. 9.

The state’s newest operator plans on launching a retail sportsbook within the Payson-based hotel and casino, in addition to having a mobile sportsbook that’s accessible throughout the state.

"Over the last several years, we have worked diligently to secure our sports wagering license and today marks a significant milestone for Tonto Apache," Tonto Apache Chairman Calvin Johnson said in a news release. "In conjunction with our world class partner, we look forward to offering a dynamic sportsbook, supporting the local community and bringing more visitors and sports fans to the Mazatzal Hotel & Casino.

"This opportunity will also present great opportunities and economic benefits for our people."

Arizona is the seventh state that TwinSpires will be available in for sports betting, joining Colorado, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Indiana, Mississippi and Michigan. The operator also plans on launching in New Jersey during the third quarter of 2021.

Who Hasn’t Launched Yet?

A total of 18 operators received licensure in the state of Arizona, 10 of which were partnered with Arizona tribes and eight more with professional sports teams.

Others that were licensed but haven’t launched yet include Rush Street Interactive/BetRivers, Golden Nugget, Bally’s, Unibet, Fubo Sports, Digital Gaming and Betfred.

The seven operators that have launched so far have received an avalanche of interest from Arizona customers.

According to geolocation security company, GeoComply, the Grand Canyon State ranked fourth out of 18 states and the District of Columbia, in terms of sports betting transactions during the opening weekend of operations.

A total of 6.1 million transactions were placed in the state, ranking behind New Jersey (12.5 million), Pennsylvania (11.5 million) and Michigan (7.5 million), the company said.