The Arizona sports betting market witnessed a significant surge in 2023, with $6.57 billion wagered on sporting events, marking the highest recorded figures to date in the Grand Canyon State. However, not all sportsbooks shared this upward trend.
According to data released by the Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG), the total amount wagered in the state in 2023 increased by 8.9% compared to the previous year. Sportsbooks collectively retained $545.4 million after paying out winning bets.
Tax revenue from sportsbook operations also experienced a notable uptick, reaching $34.8 million in 2023, reflecting a 20% increase from the previous year. Since the legalization of sports betting in September 2021, the state has amassed $69.7 million in fees from sportsbooks.
Arizona ranked seventh in the nation for the most bets placed on sports, trailing behind New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. The U.S. sports betting industry as a whole achieved record-breaking numbers in 2023, with a handle of $119.8 billion and revenue of $10.9 billion, according to the American Gaming Association.
The dominance of mobile apps in sports betting was evident in Arizona, with the vast majority of wagers being placed through digital platforms in 2023.
Among the top sportsbooks in Arizona, FanDuel and DraftKings emerged as the market leaders. FanDuel saw a remarkable 27.6% increase in wagers, totaling over $2.3 billion in 2023, while DraftKings experienced a modest 3.4% year-over-year growth, reaching $2 billion in wagers.
However, not all sportsbooks experienced growth. BetMGM and Caesars, ranking third and fourth respectively, witnessed declines in their total handle for 2023 compared to the previous year.
Despite the dominance of major players, several smaller operators in Arizona saw substantial gains in 2023. Desert Diamond Mobile, Betway, and Sahara Bets reported triple-digit increases in their calendar year handle. However, their businesses are a fraction of what Fan Duel and DraftKings have.
Penn Entertainment’s sportsbook in Arizona, recently rebranded as ESPN Bet, experienced a notable surge in the latter part of 2023 following its licensing deal with the sports broadcasting giant. ESPN Bet’s handle increased by 181% from October to November and continued to rise by 36% from November to December, nearly overtaking Caesars for the fourth-place spot.