Arizona’s first week of sports betting surpasses expectations.
In the opening week of sports betting in Arizona, there was an unexpected increase in demand from bettors that exceeded the predictions of industry experts such as DraftKings Director of Race & Sportsbook Operations Johnny Avello.
Avello reported during a phone interview on Friday that the turnout for Arizona sports betting apps had exceeded expectations, signaling a successful start to the endeavor on yengols.com.
Avello expressed that the handle had surpassed expectations and they were pleasantly surprised by its success. He noted that the smoothness of the bets was expected, given their experience in opening new states for a considerable amount of time.
Nevertheless, the outstanding user experience led to a high attendance of Arizona bettors on both Saturday and Sunday, resulting in a substantial amount of football bets being placed.
Powerful reaction from Arizona gamblers
Avello observed that bettors in Arizona responded positively to DraftKings’ initial promotions in the state, such as the +73 deal for the Buccaneers-Chiefs NFL game and the “score a point” offer for the Arizona Cardinals’ game against the Tennessee Titans.
Avello, originally from Las Vegas, knows that people from Arizona love sports betting. He said, “They would often visit my business, which helped me build relationships with them. This firsthand experience provided me with valuable knowledge about the active sports betting market in Arizona.”
After waiting for the state’s approval, they can now participate in sports betting along with everyone else.
Avello is confident that the strong start in Arizona is no fluke, given the impressive opening to the NFL and Arizona Cardinals betting season, along with the exciting slate of college football games on the horizon.
Avello pointed out that college football games and Arizona team games are plentiful every week. He highlighted the Cardinals’ impressive performance last week, which is expected to boost the morale of local fans.
Encouraging bettors to place their bets locally.
Avello was impressed by the strong level of support that Arizona bettors showed for their local teams, especially the Cardinals.
Avello observed that in the majority of other states where DraftKings has been introduced, there is a distinct disparity in the volume of bets placed on local teams versus their competitors.
He hoped that the audience’s ties to Arizona would help to keep bettors interested, mentioning the Cardinals and Phoenix Suns as teams with great potential in their respective leagues.
DraftKings reports that the Suns have the third-highest NBA Title odds at +1600. This is expected to generate more interest in NBA betting in Arizona, according to Avello.
Avello explained that customers can discover a wide range of betting options on DraftKings, including playoff baseball, the NBA, and NHL. With multiple events taking place at the same time, there will be plenty of content for everyone to enjoy.
What Others Think About the Opening Week in Arizona
Avello’s thoughts on sports betting in Arizona are echoed by several others in the industry, including WynnBET Director of Public Relations Seth Medvin.
Medvin’s email to yengols.com stated that WynnBET Arizona has been extremely impressed by the enthusiastic support from bettors in Arizona, especially during NFL events.
Medvin eagerly looks forward to building upon the success of Week 1 with Arizona customers and delivering top-notch products in Week 2. He mentioned that numerous Arizona patrons have been thrilled with our +100 odds on Kyler Murray scoring a touchdown, whether through a run or pass.
TwinSpires Hits Eight
TwinSpires Arizona, a Kentucky-based company, became the eighth operator to begin operations in the state on Thursday.
The first retail sportsbook on Arizona tribal land will be opened later this year by the operator in partnership with the Tonto Apache Tribe and its Mazatzal Hotel and Casino.
“For the past few years, we have worked diligently to secure our sports wagering license, and today marks a significant milestone for Tonto Apache,” said Tonto Apache Chairman Calvin Johnson in a press release. “With the support of our valued partner, we are thrilled to introduce a state-of-the-art sportsbook, give back to the local community, and draw in more guests and sports fans to the Mazatzal Hotel & Casino.”
This opportunity will offer significant advantages and economic prospects for our community.
Fubo Sportsbook and Bally’s are among the companies expected to launch in Arizona in the coming year. Fubo Sportsbook is set to open in the fourth quarter of 2021, while Bally’s is scheduled to open in early 2022.
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Author
For more than seven years, Peterson Christopher has been reporting on sports and sports betting in Arizona. He has worked for ArizonaSports.com, the Tucson Weekly, and the Green Valley News before becoming the lead writer at yengols.com.
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