Bookmaker Betfred and MaximBet – the betting brand associated with the Maxim media group – have announced plans to launch sports betting offerings within the state of Arizona after securing market access agreements with tribal operators.
Betfred is set to open a retail sportsbook in partnership with Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation’s We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort. The “state of the art, Las Vegas quality” sportsbook will be accompanied by mobile and online betting under the Betfred brand.
Sports betting was recently legalized in Arizona, with the market expected to launch in September after a new tribal-state gaming compact was passed.
Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation president Bernadine Burnette said: “The partnership announcement with Betfred Sports marks a new chapter for We-Ko-Pa.
“We are excited about the prospect of sports betting in Arizona, and are thrilled to pursue an event wagering license to allow us to offer sports betting to our retail and digital customers.”
Arizona becomes the latest state which Betfred has debuted sports betting products in, having launched mobile sportsbooks in Iowa and Colorado last year.
Mark Stebbings, Betfred Group chief operating officer, added “Arizona is an amazing opportunity for Betfred Sports to continue its expansion in the US after successful launches in Iowa, Colorado and Pennsylvania.
“We look forward to working with our fantastic partner, the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, to leverage our 50 years of bookmaking experience to bring the best betting options to Arizona sports fans.”
MaximBet also plans to enter the state after announcing its plans to launch its sports betting offering in Arizona in tandem with the White Mountain Apache Tribe.
MaximBet first launched by Carousel Group back in April after the sports betting operator, launched in partnership with media brand Maxim, received a $50m investment from China-based xSigma.
MaximBet CEO Daniel Graetzer said: “We are thrilled to partner with the White Mountain Apache Tribe to bring MaximBet and the renowned Maxim lifestyle experience to Arizona.
“With some of the best sporting teams in the country and a highly engaged sports community, we are confident Arizona will be drawn to our consumer-friendly app, world-class customer service, and the incredible live events we are planning for the State.”