The next step in its process toward full implementation of sports betting in Arizona was taken on Friday.

The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) released its second draft of Event Wagering Fantasy Sports rules, 17 days after its first draft was released, and is on track to meet its targeted date of Sept. 9 for live event wagering in the state.

Highlights of the second draft of rules include new separate tax rates of 8% on retail and 10% on mobile and license application and renewal fees ($100,000 application fee, $750,000 license fee and $150,000 annual renewal fee).

The Department also announced it will hold three additional open session meetings to allow stakeholders and the public to comment on the second set of draft rules.

A revised timeline will be posted once the department has reviewed and incorporated the expanded input, with the public comment period ending at midnight on July 7.

The ADG will have up to 60 days to approve or deny a license application from an operator.

Arizona plans to launch sports betting on Sept. 9, the day the NFL kicks off its 2021 season with the Dallas Cowboys visiting the Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Arizona Cardinals open their 2021 season in Nashville against the Tennessee Titans on Sept. 12.

Law & Compact Signed

On April 15, Gov. Doug Ducey signed the legislation legalizing sports betting and daily fantasy sports contests and the newly amended Tribal-State Gaming Compacts.

The Arizona law allows for 20 sports betting licenses. Gaming tribes receive 10 and another 10 could go to Arizona professional sports teams or organizations.

The law requires operators of daily fantasy sports contests and sports betting to make help available for those who might have a gambling problem. It allows individuals to exclude themselves from the new forms of legal wagering if necessary.

The law also adds limited Keno games at off-track betting locations and social clubs (American Legion, Elks Club, etc.) The bill does not allow for Arizona online casinos or online poker.

The U.S. Department of Interior on May 24 announced it had approved the amended Arizona Tribal-State Gaming Compacts.

New Sportsbook Deals Announced

Bally’s, Caesars, DraftKings, FanDuel and WynnBET have announced sports betting partnerships in the state.

Earlier on Friday, WynnBET announced it has partnered with the San Carlos Apache Tribe to pursue an online sports betting license in Arizona.

This would be the 16th state added to its list of states where WynnBET operates or plans to launch. WynnBET will work directly with the San Carlos Apache Tribal Gaming Enterprise, which operates the Apache Gold Casino and Apache Sky Casino, to secure its license.

Bally’s and the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury entered into a 15-year agreement on June 30, marking the first gaming access deal with a professional women’s sports team for Bally’s, which now has access to its 15th state.

Upon the Mercury's receipt of a mobile sports betting license from the ADG, Bally's will host and manage an online platform within the state, operate a retail sportsbook in the vicinity of the Phoenix Suns Arena (home of the Mercury) and promote its services within Mercury games.

On April 14, DraftKings Sportsbook and the PGA Tour announced an expansion of their existing partnership to provide DraftKings market access for retail and mobile sports betting in Arizona. Golf betting has been popular nationwide.

FanDuel Sportsbook and the Phoenix Suns announced on April 15 a multiyear partnership making it the Suns’ Official Sportsbook and Daily Fantasy Sports Partner. FanDuel plans to open a retail sportsbook, expected to be completed in time for the start of the 2021-22 NBA season, inside the Phoenix Suns Arena.

The Arizona Diamondbacks and Caesars Sportsbook on May 6 announced a partnership for mobile sports betting and a brick-and-mortar sportsbook on the plaza adjacent to Chase Field, the home of MLB's Diamondbacks, in downtown Phoenix. It’s near the Suns’ arena, giving fans two sportsbooks easily within walking distance.