Turf Paradise enters the Arizona sports betting scene by launching the Unibet Sportsbook.
Turf Paradise Race Track made its debut in the Arizona sports betting market on Wednesday with the opening of its temporary retail sportsbook location.
The northeast Phoenix track has partnered with Unibet Arizona, causing a one-week delay in the original opening date due to technical issues.
Turf Paradise was approved for a limited sports betting license by the Arizona Department of Gaming in January. Despite this, the racetrack’s application for a mobile sports betting license was rejected in September, and their attempt to contest the decision in court was unsuccessful.
The launch is perfectly timed for the track, coinciding with its busiest season of the year. There are only eight more live racing days left in the 2021-22 meet, with a special 11:30 a.m. post time on May 7 for a card leading up to the Kentucky Derby.
Vincent Francia, general manager of Turf Paradise, believes that the Kentucky Derby is already the most important day at the track. Introducing sports betting options that are not limited by the pari-mutuel system will enhance the overall experience.
Turf Paradise is in the process of developing a permanent sportsbook.
Turf Paradise’s Unibet facility was originally situated in the Paddock Room on the first floor of the grandstand as a temporary space. However, a permanent facility is currently being built in the banquet room on the third floor of the track.
Sports betting will be open at the facility from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. Hours may vary during the fall season due to college and NFL football.
A press release states that the retail sportsbook will feature six sports betting kiosks, a cashier for customer payouts, and more than 20 televisions.
Unibet has been granted a license for mobile betting apps in Arizona through a partnership with the Fort Yuma-Quechan Tribe. Furthermore, Unibet operates a retail location at the Paradise Casino in Yuma, which is under the ownership of the tribe.
Francia expressed that Unibet was the most appropriate option for us after consulting with multiple providers.
The first limited operator to open at Turf Paradise
Francia announced that Turf Paradise, along with eight off-track-betting locations, was one of the 10 locations granted a limited operator license by the ADG. All eight of Turf Paradise’s OTB locations have partnered with Unibet and will start taking bets in May.
Arizona Downs has secured a limited license for sports betting, however, they have not revealed any potential collaborators or revealed a launch date for accepting sports wagers. Typically, the racetrack hosts live races from late May through September.
Limited License Sportsbooks
- Arizona Downs (TBA)
- Gallagher’s Sports Grill located at Baseline (Unibet)
- Unibet at Gallagher’s Sports Grill on 16th Street
- Harold’s Restaurant in Cave Creek is hosting Unibet.
- The Sports Bar and Grill at Unibet’s Midtown Tavern
- Turf Paradise (Unibet)*
- T. O’Sullivan’s is home to the Unibet Sports Grill.
- The bar and grille called Unibet located in Boston.
- Charlie’s Sports (Unibet)
- Brookside II Sports Bar and Grill by Unibet
Operations have been launched
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Author
Michael is currently the news editor overseeing coverage at yengols.com. He has nine years of experience as the sports editor at the Tulsa World and has also held positions as the high school sports editor at the Houston Chronicle, as well as sports editor at the Beaumont Enterprise and Galveston County Daily News in Texas.
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