Arizona Downs is looking towards a promising future with the support of Caesars Sportsbook and the introduction of sports betting.
A few weeks ago, Prescott Valley’s Arizona Downs race track launched its retail sports betting operation, signaling a focus on the future.
The track partnered with Caesars Sportsbook Arizona to introduce sports betting kiosks, which were released to the public on June 25, in conjunction with the beginning of the track’s 2022 live racing season.
Arizona Downs was one of the ten locations authorized by the Arizona Department of Gaming this year to obtain a limited event wagering operator’s license. Turf Paradise in Phoenix, as well as eight off-track betting locations throughout the state, were also approved.
This week, Tom Auther, the owner of Arizona Downs, told yengols.com that the first two weekends of retail sports betting have been a positive new addition.
Arizona Downs is continuing its efforts to secure a license for Arizona sports betting apps.
“We hope to upgrade our current limited event wagering license to a full one in order to participate in online betting. We believe we should have had this capability from the start,” Auther stated in an interview with yengols.com. “But we recognize that achieving this may require legislative changes.”
A welcomed addition to the race day experience.
The author mentioned that allowing the Prescott Valley facility to offer on-site retail sports betting on race days has been a notable enhancement, giving customers a new option that was previously unavailable.
He believes that the facility will prove to the state and potential operators its ability to be a long-term partner in the Arizona sports betting industry.
Author explained that they currently have two sports betting kiosks that have improved their overall betting experience. Customers can now bet on horses and sports with Caesars, their partner, using high-quality machines that are being leased from them.
In late June, Caesars opened its permanent retail sportsbook at Chase Field in Arizona after obtaining its online license through a partnership with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Dan Shapiro, Caesars’ Chief Development Officer, is excited about collaborating with Arizona Downs to expand the Caesars Sportsbook retail presence in Arizona by installing betting kiosks at the racetrack. He believes that this strategic location will help raise awareness in the Prescott Valley area and introduce the Caesars Sportsbook app to the many fans who attend races each year.
Soon, we expect to allow customers to deposit cash into their Caesars Sportsbook mobile account.
Arizona Downs continues to hold out hope for a mobile license.
The Arizona Department of Gaming Director Ted Vogt recently announced that the agency intends to issue its final two mobile sports betting licenses after resolving ongoing legal matters.
Last August, the ADG approved 18 of the 20 licenses specified in the 2021 compact, leaving the last two for “professional sports teams” in the state.
Vogt informed yengols.com that they will start allocating the final two licenses once the direction of the litigation is clearer. While there is no set timeframe for this, the department will give stakeholders advance notice before accepting applications to allow sufficient time for preparation.
The author expressed their displeasure eleven months ago about the ADG’s decision not to award a single event wagering license to a horse racing track in the state, calling it illogical.
Auther stated, “A year ago, we were the sole location for betting, so I think the two remaining event wagering licenses should be given to the horse tracks.”
Turf Paradise sued the state in August 2021 after being denied a mobile license, but their petition was rejected by an appeals court in October of the same year.
The track received approval for a limited license to operate a retail sportsbook in partnership with Unibet Sportsbook Arizona.
The author was confused about being excluded last year, but still remains optimistic about the future. “Our main aim is to wait and see how things turn out,” he stated.
Author
Peterson Christopher has been reporting on sports and sports betting in Arizona for more than seven years. He is currently the principal writer at yengols.com, building on his previous experience at ArizonaSports.com, the Tucson Weekly, and the Green Valley News.
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