Fanatics sportsbook goes live in Arizona

Fanatics Betting and Gaming (FBG) is now live in Arizona through a partnership with the Tonto Apache tribe.

Fanatics’ online sportsbook service is available in 18 US states after taking its first wagers in Arizona. The launch came on the same day that Fanatics concluded its $225m (£178.2m/€207.0m) acquisition of PointsBet’s US operations.

The Arizona partnership also includes plans to open a Fanatics Sportsbook retail location inside the Mazatzal Hotel & Casino this summer. The resort is owned and operated by the Tonto Apache.

Ari Borod, FBG’s chief business officer, said: “We are thrilled to partner with the Tonto Apache tribe and Mazatzal Hotel & Casino to bring the Fanatics Sportsbook to Arizona.

“Arizona is a state with tons of options for sports fans, from baseball, to hockey, to golf, to football, to racing, making it the ideal destination for the most rewarding online sportsbook.”

Fanatics joins the big brands in Arizona

Fanatics joins the other major sportsbook providers who are already live in the rapidly expanding Arizona market.

Arizona set a new sports betting revenue record for the second consecutive month in January. Operators in the state generated a total of $69.3m.

The January figure was 51.6% ahead of $45.7m in the same month last year. It was also 4.8% clear of the previous Arizona monthly record of $66.1m in December.

FanDuel remains the online market leader in Arizona with gross revenue of $31.2m from $228.2m in bets.

DraftKings and partner Crown Gaming again ranked second with $22.5m, despite having a larger online handle of $258.1m.

Fanatics’ Arizona launch comes just weeks after it obtained its Arizona Department of Gaming (ADOG) licence in partnership with the Tonto Apache.

Tonto Apache chairman Calvin Johnson said: “The tribe’s partnering with FBG, a national leader in the sports betting space, will allow the tribe to provide for the general welfare of our tribal members but will also benefit all Arizona citizens.”

Original Article