Ted Vogt, Director of the Arizona Department of Gaming, says that sports betting in Arizona is performing exceptionally well.
Arizona sports betting has been live for over 290 days, with over $3 billion in bets made, and continues to show strong momentum.
Ted Vogt, the director of the Arizona Department of Gaming since 2019, believes that the $3.4 billion in wagers placed between September and March, along with the successful collaboration of 18 operators, indicate a bright and prosperous future for the market in the coming years and months.
On Monday, Vogt told yengols.com that he considers the first nine months to be a success, noting that Arizona was the second fastest state, after New York, to reach a billion-dollar handle. Between September and March, the state has seen nearly $3.5 billion in handle and $3.2 billion in payouts.
The industry has rapidly made its mark in this location, and it has been impressive to see the consistent high demand persisting throughout the initial year.
Having great power requires great responsibility.
Vogt remarked on the varied outcomes of the latest Arizona sports betting apps, commending the speedy launch as a positive aspect but expressing disappointment in the state’s delayed financial data reporting.
He was disappointed that all 18 licensed sports betting operators were not operational by the state’s September 9 launch, but he is confident that the companies can catch up and recover lost time.
Vogt expressed that the department and operators have both gained valuable insights from this experience. He anticipates that monthly handle reports will be more punctual in the future, while still following the established reporting guidelines.
Since sports betting was introduced on the NFL’s opening day last fall, Vogt’s tenure has been defined by an unprecedented demand for wagering.
According to Vogt, Arizona’s high demand for gambling will enable the state to maintain its position as a key player in the market, even as more states join the online gambling industry.
Vogt was surprised by the pent-up demand and noted that Arizonans have been betting substantial amounts of money, resulting in a successful outcome for the state.
Current situation of the lawsuit filed by the Yavapai Prescott Indian Tribe.
In his discussion with yengols.com, Vogt stressed the importance of the state granting the remaining two mobile sports betting licenses once the legal proceedings have ended.
Arizona HB 2772, passed in 2021, legalized sports betting and awarded a total of 20 licenses, evenly divided between tribal organizations and professional sports franchises.
Last year, the department awarded 18 out of the 20 licenses. Vogt stated that the ADG plans to quickly distribute the remaining licenses, which are set aside for professional sports teams.
Vogt noted that one license is currently in a legal dispute, but they are working to resolve it. Once they have more information on the outcome of the litigation, they will move forward with distributing the other two licenses.
The ADG is currently in the midst of a legal dispute with the Yavapai Prescott Indian Tribe, who initiated a lawsuit in August contesting the legitimacy of the 2021 gaming compact and law. The tribe contends that these agreements are in violation of the state’s Voter Protection Act and Prop. 202, which legalized gaming on tribal land.
Vogt has confirmed that the tribe has officially agreed to the 2021 gaming compact, despite previously hesitating. The only thing left to resolve is obtaining approval from the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Vogt announced that all legal action against the state and the Maricopa County Superior Court will be paused until a resolution is reached. It is anticipated that once the federal government gives approval for the compact, the matter will be swiftly resolved.
Tips for Leveling the Playing Field in Sports Betting
Vogt contends that sports betting operators with a smaller market share will have plenty of opportunities to catch up in terms of equality.
So far, only six of the 18 operators in Arizona have exceeded $100 million in wagers, including DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM Sportsbook Arizona, Caesars Sportsbook, Barstool Sportsbook, and WynnBET. The other 12 operators have together made approximately $49.4 million in handle.
Vogt clarified that operators in the second or third tier started operating after those in the first tier, which began on Sept. 9. It will require some time to observe how the market stabilizes. The law permits operators to utilize five years’ worth of free bet credits to lower the expense of launching a business in the state.
Event wagering is still in its infancy in the state, with operators already offering free bet credits to entice new players. As we move forward in the coming years, we will have a better grasp of how the market will evolve in the state.
Big events have the potential to elevate Arizona sports betting to new heights.
Vogt also highlighted that Arizona’s hosting of Super Bowl LVII next February will mark the first time a market with legal sports betting has hosted the event.
Vogt is confident that holding the Super Bowl at Glendale’s State Farm Stadium will boost Arizona sports betting to new heights in terms of both earnings and visibility.
Vogt emphasized the impact of the football season on the industry, noting the excitement of hosting the Super Bowl in February. He also highlighted the early stages of sports betting and the rapid evolution of the market. Vogt stated that they are laying the groundwork for the industry’s growth over the next five years.
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Author
For more than seven years, Peterson Christopher has been reporting on sports and sports betting in Arizona. He now serves as the lead writer at yengols.com, after working at ArizonaSports.com, the Tucson Weekly, and the Green Valley News.
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