Caesars Entertainment has struck a partnership with Major League Baseball franchise the Arizona Diamondbacks, that will allow the operator to roll out sports betting in the southwestern state.
The partnership has been agreed alongside a broader deal with MLB, which sees Caesars become an authorized gaming operator of the league, and grants the operator rights to offer in-person and mobile wagering in Arizona.
This will see Caesars launch its mobile product across the state, as well as open a new sportsbook and bar on a plaza adjacent to the Diamondbacks’ Chase Field stadium.
As part of the agreement the operator also becomes an exclusive sports betting and daily fantasy sponsor for the team, meaning its branding will appear on the team’s signage and digital assets.
The deal follows Caesars closing its £2.9bn acquisition of William Hill in April. This will see the non-US operations divested within a year, as it looks to accelerate growth in sports betting and igaming.
“We went through a thorough process to identify the ideal partner that would bring experience and the strongest of reputations in legalized gaming,” Diamondbacks president and chief executive Derrick Hall said.
“Caesars is considered the cream of the crop and aligns with our philosophy when it comes to professionalism, brand presentation, and customer treatment and brings its best in class William Hill mobile sports book product and retail sports betting expertise,” Hall continued. “Equally important, we went through our strong due diligence to find the industry leader in the education and execution of responsible gaming.”
Sports betting was legalized in the state through House Bill 2772 in April, which permits in-person betting at tribal casinos and sites owned major league sports teams. This has already seen DraftKings strike a deal with the PGA Tour’s TPC Scottsdale venue, and FanDuel strike a similar partnership with the Phoenix Suns Arena.
Also preparing for launch in Arizona is Unibet operator Kindred Group, which struck a partnership with the Quechan Tribe of the Fort Yuma Indian Reservation in February.
Caesars is already active in the state as the operator of the Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, owned by the Ak-Chin Indian Community.
“We have long enjoyed successful gaming operations in Arizona and are delighted to expand into sports betting alongside the Arizona Diamondbacks,” its chief executive Tom Reeg said.
“Together, we have the opportunity to create new ways for baseball fans to engage with the game both in-person near the ballpark and online anywhere in Arizona. Our ability to tie those into our Caesars Rewards network will create an unbeatable experience for any sports fan.”