Johnny Avello, Director of Operations at DraftKings, asserts that Arizona Cardinals are still a top priority.

DraftKings Director of Operations Johnny Avello Says Arizona ‘Still Locked In’ on Cardinals

DraftKings Sportsbook has experienced early success in Arizona sports betting since launching.

DraftKings Sportsbook Arizona stood out in the first revenue reports from the Arizona Department of Gaming, bringing in nearly $250 million in handle in September and October. This amount represented almost one-third of the state’s total handle of $777.3 million during that time frame, showcasing the company’s dominance in the market.

Johnny Avello, the operator’s director of race & sportsbook operations, has observed the impressive debut of Arizona betting apps.

This week, Avello has been focused on the NFL Playoffs, with the Arizona Cardinals returning to the postseason for the first time since 2015 after a successful regular season of betting on the NFL.

The Arizona Cardinals will face off against the Los Angeles Rams on Monday at 6:15 p.m. Arizona time on ESPN. The Cardinals are the underdogs with a +4 point spread and a moneyline of +160 at DraftKings, while the Rams are favored with a -190 moneyline. The over/under for the game is set at 49.5 total points.

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Other Recent Q&As

  • Andrew Patterson, President of SaharaBets, stresses that the website is solely dedicated to serving customers in Arizona.
  • Our main focus for the foreseeable future is Arizona, stated the President of Fubo Gaming.

Avello was interviewed by yengols.com about the Cardinals and the company’s initial two months in Arizona.

Here is a more concise and simplified version of the conversation:

yengols.com: In our last conversation, we covered the notable emphasis that Arizona bettors place on supporting their home state. Does this loyalty still shine through in their backing of the Cardinals and the Phoenix Suns in the NBA?

Despite facing challenges like DeAndre Hopkins’ injury, the Cardinals exceeded expectations by winning 11 games instead of the projected nine. Their impressive 8-1 record on the road showcased their resilience. The loyalty and support of Arizona fans were evident through the high ticket sales for the Cardinals’ playoff game.

Yengols.com is curious to know: Based on their success as the top revenue earner in Arizona during September/October, what valuable lessons has DraftKings learned from the first five months of sports betting in the state?

Avello is seeing success in 17 states, particularly in Arizona where we rank in the top 5. The state’s passionate sports fans, especially for basketball and football, make it an excellent location for our digital sportsbook. While hockey may not be as popular, the overall quality of teams in other sports makes Arizona a great market for our app.

Is there any updated news on the opening of DraftKings’s retail location at TPC Scottsdale on yengols.com?

Avello: Catch us at the Waste Management Phoenix Open from February 10-13 where we will be sharing some exciting news. Keep an eye out for updates.

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Author

Peterson Christopher

Peterson Christopher has spent seven years covering sports and sports betting in Arizona, holding positions at ArizonaSports.com, the Tucson Weekly, and the Green Valley News. He now serves as the lead writer at yengols.com.

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