Arizona Opens Application Period for Mobile Betting Licenses

The Copper State is looking to expand its mobile sports betting market once again.

The Arizona Department of Gaming announced that it will be opening an application period for at least one mobile betting license this summer. Operators can begin submitting applications starting June 26, with the window closing on July 10. The regulator didn’t commit to the number of licenses available, simply saying applications would be open for “no less than one.”

“As the state regulator, we remain dedicated to consumer protection and a thorough licensing review process,” DOG Assistant Director of Certification and Licensing Cliff Holden shared in a press release. “We look forward to receiving new applications for regulated event wagering.”

Arizona launched its mobile sports betting market back in 2021. While 18 sportsbooks originally launched, 9 have since exited the market. That includes Sporttrade, which shut down last week. The DOG has reopened applications as operators have left the market, bringing the current total to 13. 

As of today, the following operators are available in Arizona’s online sports betting market:

• Bally Bet

• Bet365

• BetMGM

• Caesars

• Desert Diamond

• DraftKings

• Fanatics

• FanDuel

• Golden Nugget

• Hard Rock

• TheScore

• Betcris

• BetRivers

Arizona Expansion Isn’t a Guarantee

While Arizona wants to expand its mobile market, that doesn’t mean it will happen.

With 13 mobile sportsbooks already active, the country’s top platforms are already live. That means a new sportsbook would have to target a very small share of the market aggressively. As a result, most traditional sportsbooks will be willing to pay the high costs of entering the market.

Unlike in years past, new sportsbooks would also be competing with sports prediction markets. Platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket are live in the state, adding even more competition to an already hyper-competitive market.

There is reason to believe some niche operators could see an opportunity in Arizona. One of those includes Circa Sports, which caters to high-end bettors. Considering the Arizona Border is so close to Las Vegas and Circa’s famous indoor and outdoor sportsbooks, the operator could be tempted to invest.