. Don’t Look Now: TwinSpires Enters Mix Of Sportsbooks Partnering With Arizona Tribes

Written By Derek Helling on July 30, 2021Last Updated on January 17, 2022
TwinSpires Partners With Tonto Apache

Time is now crucial when it comes to Arizona sports gambling. The Tonto Apache Tribe isn’t dawdling either.

The Tonto Apache has agreed to establish a TwinSpires Arizona casino as the license application period is now available.

That & rsquo, but only if they are among the 10 tribal gaming compact holders who are granted approval for their application. The agreement with Churchill Downs may be beneficial, but it is not a promise of certification.

TwinSpires Arizona may be coming and hellip.

The renowned sports betting company Churchill Downs & rsquo already has locations in six other countries, including the nearby state of Colorado. Churchill Downs even runs the BetAmerica Sportsbook in New Jersey, but soon intends to change its name to TwinSpires.

On Friday, the Tonto Apache Tribe announced its collaboration with TwinSpires, which will handle the retail sports betting operation at the Mazatzal Hotel & Casino near Payson. Assuming regulatory approval, TwinSpires could also roll out an Arizona betting app.

According to Tonto Apache Chairman Calvin Johnson,”& ldquo, In conjunction with our world-class partner, we look forward to supporting the local community and bringing more visitors to the Mazatzal Hotel & amp, Casino and our beautiful county ,”

President of TwinSpires Ian Williams, added & nbsp:

The Tonto Apache Tribe and & ldquo, the group behind the most thrilling two minutes in sports, are excited to collaborate to offer our top casino products and incentives to sports enthusiasts all over Arizona. & rdquo,

The Tonto Apache did undoubtedly apply for one of the 10 sports betting licenses designated for cultural casino operators. Whether they can do so with assurance is a different question.

Was this relationship turn out to be nothing more than a dream project?

It appears that the competition for those 10 licenses will be heavy. In fact, the expectation is that at least 16 of the compact holders will vie for a license. The Tonto Apache is the fourth such entity to make that obvious by announcing an operational partner. The other three are:

The allocation procedures prioritize experience, among other things, so having a partner like TwinSpires should strengthen the Tonto Apache’s candidacy for a license as compared to the tribe going it alone. The financial resources of Churchill Downs won’t hurt, either.

Still, there are TwinSpires competitors who have yet to secure potential market access into Arizona, including the likes of BetMGM Sportsbook and BetRivers Sportsbook.

Tribal casino operators present an option for those brands, but so do the Arizona Cardinals and Arizona Coyotes. Because of their ability to market directly to sports fans, those teams might be preferential partners for sports betting operators.

The Tonto Apache might have a problem if those businesses follow that path. owing to TwinSpires. If everything goes according to plan, this is all still in the & ldquo until the Arizona Department of Gaming begins approving tribal applications. & rdquo,

Stephen B. Morton, AP, in a picture
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Helling Derek

Helling Derek is a lead writer for PlayUSA and the manager of BetHer. He is a 2013 graduate of the University of Iowa and covers the intersections of sports with business and the law.

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