Betfred has set its sights on the “amazing opportunity” presented by Arizona, after entering a sports betting partnership with the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation and its We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort.
The two parties plan to build a “state-of-the-art, Las Vegas-quality” retail sportsbook at the We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort in Fort McDowell, while also launching mobile and online betting under the Betfred Sports brand.
The formal launch of retail and online sports betting is contingent on licensing and regulatory approval, and is planned for late 2021.
Mark Stebbings, Betfred Group chief operating officer, stated: “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.”
Owned and operated by the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, the 166,341-square-foot We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort boasts gaming, a variety of dining restaurants, and live entertainment. The attached AAA Four Diamond hotel offers 246 luxurious guest rooms and suites; 25,000 square feet of meeting space; and two resort-style outdoor pools.
“The partnership announcement with Betfred Sports marks a new chapter for We-Ko-Pa,” noted Bernadine Burnette, president of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation.
“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.”
Betfred USA Sports, a sportsbook sponsor of the Denver Broncos and Colorado Rockies, is currently a licensed operator in Iowa, Pennsylvania and Colorado, with Nevada, alongside Arizona, said to be coming soon pending regulatory approval.
