Arizona sportsbooks and the Fiesta Bowl are reaping major benefits from the College Football Playoff.
The significance of this year’s College Football Playoff semifinal at the Fiesta Bowl extends far beyond Ann Arbor and Fort Worth on New Year’s Eve.
The No. 2 Michigan Wolverines will take on the third-ranked TCU Horned Frogs at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on December 31st at 2 p.m. This eagerly awaited matchup is predicted to attract numerous devoted fans and bring in millions in betting revenue for Arizona sportsbooks as part of New Year’s Eve festivities.
The 2022 CFP semifinal marks the first event held in a state with legalized sports betting, with the Fiesta Bowl becoming the first college football postseason game to form an exclusive partnership with Caesars Sportsbook Arizona.
The upcoming Super Bowl in Arizona, set for February, will be the first NFL championship to take place in a state that has legalized sports betting.
Jose Moreno, the CMO of the Fiesta Bowl, is knowledgeable about the upcoming partnership in betting.
A Tucson native told yengols.com that the Fiesta Bowl is excitedly looking forward to breaking another record on New Year’s Eve.
Moreno emphasized that the Fiesta Bowl prides itself on being the ‘Bowl of Firsts’ and spearheading innovation in college football. Bringing on Caesars Sportsbook was a strategic decision aimed at shaking up the norm and revolutionizing how fans view sports betting in the college football realm.
Holding a CFP semifinal in Arizona is a major milestone in the introduction of sports betting to the passionate college football fan community.
An Unforgettable Day in Arizona
Both Arizona sportsbook operators, regulators, and executives from BetMGM Sportsbook Arizona were equally excited about Dec. 31, sharing Moreno’s enthusiasm.
Matt Cosgriff, Director of Trading at BetMGM, conveyed his enthusiasm in an email to yengols.com about the opportunity to host a significant sporting event in one of the company’s key sports betting markets in New York.
The significance of the Fiesta Bowl has increased for Cosgriff and his team following the opening of a retail sportsbook by BetMGM at State Farm Stadium, marking the first of its kind at an NFL venue.
While Caesars Sportsbook is the official sports betting sponsor of the Fiesta Bowl, only BetMGM signage will be seen by fans as they make their way from the stadium’s large parking lots to their seats on game day.
In an email to yengols.com, Cosgriff expressed BetMGM’s excitement for the College Football Playoff being hosted at State Farm Stadium. He mentioned that they are expecting a significant increase in betting activity for the game, both on their online platform and at their retail book located in the stadium.
Both executives and regulators at the Arizona Department of Gaming are excited about the new Arizona sports betting apps. They see the 2022 CFP semifinal as a chance for visitors to witness the state’s wagering market’s rapid growth over the last 15 months.
Maxwell Hartgraves, the public information officer for the ADG, conveyed his enthusiasm to yengols.com via email, expressing excitement about showcasing the state’s sports betting industry to visitors and emphasizing the state’s commitment to responsible gaming.
Hartgraves enthusiastically discussed Arizona’s role in hosting the College Football Playoff, emphasizing the opportunity to draw in out-of-state guests and the added allure of legal sports betting. The Department also issued a reminder for bettors to place their wagers responsibly through a licensed sportsbook operator.
An Unforgettable Partnership: A Day at the Game
Hartgraves, along with executives at the Fiesta Bowl such as Moreno, are confident that teaming up with Caesars Sportsbook has the potential to encourage responsible gambling during game day festivities and stimulate the state’s economy.
Moreno announced that the agreement, unveiled before the launch of sports betting last year, allows both parties to improve fan engagement on game days.
Moreno expressed optimism about the future through the partnership, emphasizing the opportunity to educate college football fans about technology, its impact on the market, and responsible gambling. He believes this is only the start and predicts that more bowl games will establish similar partnerships in the coming years.
Caesars will have a prominent presence at the Fiesta Bowl’s fan fest as the sponsor of the Caesars Sportsbook Fan Fest. In addition, Caesars will be featured with its name on the game’s “Club ’71” facility and in-stadium beer garden, which will be known as the Caesars Sportsbook Fan Lounge.
The fan lounge will have cozy seating, a live DJ, and a sweeping view of the game field.
The primary objective of Fiesta Bowl executives and their sportsbook partners is to create a memorable experience that goes beyond just the final score or MVP of the game.
Moreno characterized it as the premier offering at the stadium and the ultimate FOMO experience tailored for a younger audience.
Make sure to visit yengols.com for the best Arizona sports betting promo codes when attending bowl games in the state this season.
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Author
Peterson Christopher brings over seven years of experience covering sports and sports betting in Arizona, with previous roles at ArizonaSports.com, the Tucson Weekly, and the Green Valley News. He currently holds the position of lead writer at yengols.com.
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