Navajo Nation teams up with Hard Rock to enter Arizona betting apps market.

Hard Rock Digital revealed a collaboration with the Navajo Nation on Thursday, marking its entrance into the Arizona betting apps market.

The Seminole Tribe of Florida’s partnership with the Navajos, the largest tribe in the continental United States, completes the final piece of the puzzle in Arizona’s growing sports betting market.

The Navajo Nation was the last of the 18 licensed Arizona tribes and professional sports teams to announce a sports betting partnership, ultimately leading to market equality in 2022.

Hard Rock Digital was founded in 2020 and currently offers mobile sportsbook services in New Jersey and Iowa.

In Thursday’s press release, Hard Rock Digital did not specify a launch timeline for their website. However, all Arizona operators licensed in August have 180 days to debut their products.

The impact of Hard Rock on Arizona

Hard Rock’s statement, as expressed by Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise Interim CEO Brian Parrish, highlights that the agreement allows the nation to provide a top-notch sports betting experience in Arizona to customers, whether they are online or in-person.

In a press release, Parrish enthusiastically announced the launch of mobile sports and event wagering as a major new feature. The Hard Rock Sportsbook’s mobile platform, in addition to their brick-and-mortar sites, will provide a diverse range of betting options, promotions, and cross-marketing opportunities that are unique to the Navajo and Hard Rock brands.

Marlon Goldstein, Managing Director & CEO of Hard Rock Digital, was excited to launch operations in Arizona. The state quickly surpassed $1 billion in handle within just three months of opening, making it the fastest state to reach this milestone.

In a press release, Goldstein shared his excitement for the collaboration with NNGE, saying, “We are thrilled to work together to provide Arizona sports fans with a fun and engaging gameday experience using the Hard Rock Sportsbook mobile app. The Hard Rock brand is well-known for its exceptional hospitality and entertainment worldwide, and we are eager to bring these experiences to the people of Arizona through premier mobile sports betting.”

Who holds a license to operate in Arizona?

During the month of August, the Arizona Department of Gaming granted licenses to a combined total of 18 operators, consisting of 10 tribes and eight professional sports teams.

Starting in 2021, tribes covered under the compact can offer retail sportsbook services on their tribal lands without obtaining a license. Recently, the ADG approved a limited sports betting license for Turf Paradise Racing in Phoenix, allowing the track to open a retail sportsbook.

• Fubo Gaming is a gaming facility situated in the Ak-Chin Indian Community.
• Arizona Cardinals (BetMGM Arizona)*
• Arizona Coyotes (SaharaBets)*
• Arizona Diamondbacks (Caesars Sportsbook)*
• Arizona Rattlers (BetRivers Arizona)*
• Betfred Arizona is situated on the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation.
• SuperBook Sports and the Fort Mohave Indian Tribe have formed a partnership.
• The Quechan Tribe located on the Fort Yuma Reservation in Arizona.
• Hualapai Tribe (Golden Nugget)
• Sports betting is available at Hard Rock Sportsbook within the Navajo Nation.
• Watch the Phoenix Mercury play on Bally’s Sports Arizona.
• Phoenix Speedway is proudly presented by Barstool Sports in collaboration with Penn National Interactive.
• The Phoenix Suns are playing at the FanDuel Sportsbook in Arizona.
• The San Carlos Apache Tribe has partnered with WynnBET Arizona.
• The San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe’s digital gaming initiative
• The Tohono O’odham Nation has formed a partnership with Kambi Group.
• TwinSpires Sportsbook Arizona is operated by the Tonto Apache Tribe.
• DraftKings Sportsbook in Arizona is located at TPC Scottsdale.

• Caesars Sportsbook located at the Ak-Chin Indian Community
• The Betfred Arizona branch is situated on the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation.
• BetMGM has formed a partnership with the Fort Mohave Indian Tribe.
• Fort Yuma-Quechan Tribe (Unibet)*
• BetMGM Arizona was operated in collaboration with the Gila River Indian Community.
• Scientific Gaming by the Pascua Yaqui Tribe
• Kambi Group forms a partnership with the Tohono O’odham Nation.
• The Tonto Apache Tribe formed a partnership with TwinSpires Sportsbook in Arizona.
• The platform offered by the Yavapai-Apache Nation, known as IGT PlaySports*

• Arizona Cardinals (BetMGM Arizona)
• The Arizona Diamondbacks in partnership with Caesars Sportsbook Arizona
• Bet on the Phoenix Suns on FanDuel Sportsbook in Arizona.
• TPC Scottsdale (DraftKings Sportsbook Arizona)

• Turf Paradise (TBA)

– Operations have commenced.