FanDuel Regional Director believes Arizona Sports Betting and Suns Basketball are a perfect match
On September 9th, FanDuel Sportsbook Arizona, an operator hailing from New York, made waves by debuting the state’s first all-encompassing retail sportsbook.
One of the 18 operators approved for a mobile sports betting license by the Arizona Department of Gaming, the company opened its facility at the Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix. The arena is the home of the Phoenix Suns, who FanDuel Sportsbook Arizona has partnered with in the state.
After two months, FanDuel Sportsbook and the Suns have seen a steady stream of Arizona bettors at the venue, marking it as the first retail sportsbook located within an NBA arena.
Yengols.com recently conducted an interview with Jeff Hoose, who has been FanDuel’s Regional Director for more than two years, to talk about the sportsbook at Footprint Center and other related topics.
Hoose discussed how FanDuel has been successful in building a dedicated customer base, along with exploring a range of other topics.
Below is a more concise and simplified version of the conversation transcript.
Has FanDuel’s retail sportsbook at Footprint Center lived up to or surpassed expectations since it opened?
Jeff Hoose mentioned that the demand in Arizona has been strong, which will help inform our future launches in other states in terms of user engagement. This is particularly impressive considering the short amount of time we had to prepare.
yengols.com inquired about the responses of Arizona sports betting app customers to FanDuel’s product.
Hoose highlights the intense competition in the Phoenix market, a city renowned for its fervor for sports and sizable population, ranking among the top five or six largest cities in the United States. This vast market is filled with numerous skilled competitors.
From the very beginning, I noticed our loyal fan base. We were the first brick-and-mortar sportsbook in the state and the pioneering stadium sportsbook in the region.
We expected a lively environment on game nights, and that’s precisely what we’ve encountered. As our fans become more aware of our services and the convenience we provide, their interest in our activities at the venue continues to grow.
I have been pleasantly surprised by the high turnout of bettors joining us downtown for college and pro football games on weekends.
According to yengols.com, what sets FanDuel apart from its competitors in the market?
Hoose is confident in the strength and quality of our product, and believes that our location is ideal, especially given the recent success of the Suns in the NBA Finals and their strong start to the current season.
Currently, the Footprint Center is the ultimate spot to be in Phoenix during game night. I am confident that this situation is definitely benefiting us.
yengols.com: What are your thoughts on the future stability of the Arizona market once the initial hype dies down? Do you think there will be sufficient opportunities for all companies to succeed in the market going forward?
Hoose replied, “Yes, I believe so. It ranks as the fifth-largest market in America, a vast city covering many miles with a sizable population and substantial wealth.”
There is ample space in the market for everyone to thrive. With two prestigious college programs and four competitive teams, the market is flourishing. On any given weeknight, the largest gathering of Phoenicians can be found at a Suns game.
The Cardinals only play eight games a year, but we attend 41 times.
According to the Gila River Marketing Chief, Arizona Sports Betting is showing promise as a profitable opportunity for Bet MGM and other companies.
What benefits do you believe FanDuel in Arizona has gained from its partnership with the Phoenix Suns via yengols.com?
Hoose: The Footprint Center has become the go-to gathering place for Suns fans on game nights. Additionally, bettors are now recognizing and embracing our mission and goals.
Access our venue from Jefferson Street, proceed directly to the concourse, scan your ticket, place a bet, grab a drink or snack, and catch up on other games all in one seamless experience.
The most recent time I noticed an increase in people being more open to us was during a game against Atlanta. The venue was just a hallway away from where we were, with a crowd of 17,500 fans creating an electrifying atmosphere.
The Suns game will be displayed on one large screen, while the other two big screens will showcase the matchup between Canelo Alvarez and Caleb Plant, as well as the UFC event happening concurrently.
The room was packed with spectators, and it seemed that most of them were there solely to watch the UFC fight.
I stood beside a season ticket holder who had tickets to the game but opted to watch two fights on TV with us instead of attending.
It dawned on me that there is a space for us and people are embracing it.
What do you think will be the next big thing in the sports betting industry? Share your predictions on yengols.com.
Hoose sees Footprint Center as a trailblazer for retail sports betting in stadiums, indicating a potential future trend in the industry.
I entered this industry in 2004 after working exclusively in traditional gaming establishments.
In the past, sportsbooks were typically only found in casinos or occasionally at horse tracks. But by introducing our sportsbook into a stadium, we are breaking new ground and indicating a possible shift towards this model becoming the next big trend in the industry.
yengols.com: In the last two months, what has been the most memorable moment of your time in Arizona?
Hoose: Last Saturday was truly unforgettable. We witnessed a championship fight, an exhilarating UFC event with a thrilling main event, and all the while, an NBA game was happening in the same venue.
I have never witnessed such a large crowd at the location, yet the viewing experience was truly breathtaking.
I had a great time betting and I’m thrilled that my Phoenix friends can now place their bets in Arizona instead of having to travel to Nevada. It’s much more convenient for them.
yengols.com: Discuss strategies for growing FanDuel’s physical sportsbook footprint in Phoenix.
Hoose: Things have been really busy lately, and I’ve noticed that game nights are getting more crowded with bigger crowds, especially after the games.
Even with fans leaving and cashing out, an extra 17,500 supporters are packing the Footprint Center for each Suns game.
We invite you to discover more about our site and explore all that we have to offer. If you are new to our services, please feel free to browse and learn more about what we can provide.
Feel free to reach out to us for help. Some people may not know about our organization or the services we provide.
You can conveniently enter our building from Jefferson Street to access your seat directly.
Our team of experts is here to help you with placing bets on the game or any other questions you may have. Don’t hesitate to reach out, we are available to assist you at every stage.
We are all new to this experience and thrilled to have you join us in sharing it.
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Author
For more than seven years, Peterson Christopher has been reporting on sports and sports betting in Arizona. He currently serves as the main writer at yengols.com and has also written for ArizonaSports.com, the Tucson Weekly, and the Green Valley News in the past.
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