Arizona regulators are getting ready to award extra occasion wagering licenses, with the Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) asserting a brand new software interval that may start subsequent month.
The company confirmed that it’ll begin accepting purposes on June 26, 2026, with the submission window remaining open till July 10 at 5 p.m. Arizona time. The transfer creates a possibility for brand spanking new operators to enter one of many largest sports activities betting markets within the United States following a collection of sportsbook closures and business consolidation that decreased the variety of energetic license holders.
The upcoming licensing spherical will make out there no less than one license reserved for an Arizona tribe and no less than one license reserved for an Arizona sports activities franchise companion, in accordance with state rules governing occasion wagering.
Cliff Holden, Assistant Director of Certification and Licensing on the ADG, mentioned in a press launch [pdf]: “As the state regulator, we remain dedicated to consumer protection and a thorough licensing review process. We look forward to receiving new applications for regulated event wagering.”
Available Licenses Return to Market
Arizona launched authorized occasion wagering and sports activities betting in 2021 after lawmakers accepted a framework permitting as much as 20 operator licenses. The laws divided these licenses equally, reserving ten for Arizona tribes and ten for skilled sports activities franchise companions.
Although the market initially attracted numerous operators, the variety of energetic licensees has declined over time. Arizona at the moment has 14 licensed operators, leaving room for added entrants.
Several sportsbooks have exited the state in recent times as operators reassessed their nationwide methods. Companies together with Betfred, SuperBook Sports, Betway, Fubo Sportsbook, TwinSpires, Unibet and WynnBet have all ceased operations in Arizona. SaharaBets additionally left the market after dropping its sports activities franchise companion when the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes relocated to Utah.
The ADG periodically reopens the licensing course of at any time when positions turn into out there. The earlier software window happened in July 2024.
State officers emphasised that purposes should be submitted through the designated interval. Any submissions acquired after the July 10 deadline is not going to be thought of throughout this licensing cycle.
Market Continues to Generate Strong Results
Since authorized sports activities betting launched, Arizona has developed into one of many nation’s most energetic wagering markets.
According to figures launched by the regulator, bettors have wagered roughly $33.9 billion since 2021. That exercise has generated round $179.9 million in occasion wagering privilege charges for the state.
Arizona’s sports activities betting business additionally produced greater than $713 million in betting income throughout 2025. The state’s wagering deal with ranks among the many largest within the nation and is at the moment the sixth-highest amongst U.S. jurisdictions.
The present operator checklist consists of lots of the business’s largest manufacturers, resembling DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, bet365 and Fanatics.
The licensing course of arrives at a time when the broader sports activities betting business continues to evolve. Alongside consolidation amongst conventional sportsbook operators, prediction markets have emerged as a rising space of competitors that might affect alternatives for future market individuals.
Review Process and Consumer Protection Focus
The Arizona Department of Gaming mentioned all purposes will bear analysis primarily based on the necessities established in state statutes and occasion wagering rules.
Prospective candidates have been inspired to evaluation the company’s licensing supplies, software kinds and payment necessities earlier than submitting documentation. The regulator additionally directed events to its on-line sources and often requested questions supplies for added steering.
While increasing the variety of licensed operators stays a precedence, the division confused that shopper safety will stay central to the evaluation course of.
The ADG oversees tribal gaming, occasion wagering, fantasy sports activities contests, racing and pari-mutuel wagering all through Arizona. The company additionally helps accountable playing applications by means of its Division of Problem Gambling, together with training, remedy and prevention initiatives.
