These 2 Lawsuits Could Stop Or Delay Sports Betting In Arizona

By Mark Brodie, Lauren Gilger
Published: Monday, August 30, 2021 - 11:21am
Updated: Monday, August 30, 2021 - 2:57pm

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Sept. 9 marks the first day that sports betting will be legal in the state.

Arizonans will be able to place bets through mobile apps and at licensed sports books and event venues thanks to a new law approved earlier this year by the legislature and signed by the governor.

It required negotiations with tribal gaming enterprises, as stipulated by the state’s gaming compact.

In this case, tribal casino operators were allowed to expand gaming operations to include baccarat and craps, and in return, the tribes allowed non-tribal gaming entities to operate sports betting platforms within Arizona.

Turf Paradise
Sky Schaudt/KJZZ
Turf Paradise in Phoenix.

Last week, the Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe filed suit, along with race track operators Turf Paradise, to stop the new gaming law from taking effect and prevent any sports betting transactions from taking place in Arizona.

Jeremy Duda covered this story for the Arizona Mirror, and The Show spoke with him to learn about the suits.

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