On Sept. 9, sports betting was legalized in Arizona. During an event to celebrate the legalization in partnership with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Caesars Entertainment — who have launched the Caesars Sportsbook app statewide and are in the midst of building a two-story, 20,000-square-foot sportsbook and sports bar adjacent to Chase Field set to open in early 2022 — Governor Doug Ducey joined Caesars Sportsbook chief trends officer and brand ambassador Trey Wingo, Arizona Diamondbacks legend Luis Gonzalez and D-backs CEO and president Derrick Hall, along with state dignitaries, to fete the occasion.
In addition to Caesars donating $20,000 to the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation to celebrate the partnership, the D-backs presenting commemorative jerseys to their new partners and ceremonial first bets being placed at Caesars temporary betting windows at the D-backs box office — which will remain in place seven days a week until the permanent sportsbook opens — Ducey noted the economic and tourism impact that sports betting will have on Arizona:
“Sports fans, teams, gaming industry employees, visitors to our state — today is an exciting new day for Arizona,” said Governor Ducey. “Today marks the first day of legal sports betting in Arizona. This means new job opportunities, more tourism in our state and increased tax revenues that will benefit Arizonans and tribal communities. I was thrilled to welcome the Caesars Sportsbook at Chase Field and the FanDuel Sportsbook at Footprint Center.”
According to Ducey, gaming employs thousands of Arizonans and generates millions in tax revenue for state and local governments. The revenue from sports betting will, in fact, provide funding for K-12 education, help protect Arizona’s land by funding wildlife and habitat conservation, and help fund mental health and substance abuse treatment centers. Additionally, gaming facilities provide tribes with funding sources to support tribal education, healthcare, housing and other basic services such as clean water.
The modernization of gaming in Arizona was the result of a multi-year effort by a diverse group of partners. The Governor thanked the teams, tribal partners, lawmakers, sportsbooks and community leaders who made it possible. “The tribal-state gaming compact and associated legislation I signed in April would not have happened without the good faith effort of many,” he said. “Their hard work paved the way for a new era in gaming for Arizona.”
“I applaud the State’s leadership in legalizing sports betting,” said Diamondbacks President and CEO Derrick Hall. “This will enhance the engagement and interest levels for our fans with all of our local teams, but, more importantly, it will generate new revenues for the General Fund. The popularity of sports betting and fantasy sports will grow tremendously, and we will prioritize protecting the integrity of our industry and promoting the importance of responsible gambling.”
