Arizona has surpassed Nevada as the leading sports betting state in the Southwest, with April marking the first month that Arizona sportsbooks took in more wagers than their Nevada counterparts. Nevada, which was once the only state with legal sportsbooks, has been eclipsed by Arizona in terms of sports betting revenue. Arizona’s success can be attributed to its large population and the fact that 99 percent of the bets are made through mobile apps, compared to Nevada’s requirement for in-person registration. While Arizona’s gaming laws allow for remote registration, Nevada’s in-person registration requirement hampers its mobile sports betting business and has deterred major operators like FanDuel and DraftKings.
Nevada casino operators have opposed remote registration, arguing that their sportsbooks drive customers to spend money at non-gaming amenities. Despite sports betting revenue accounting for just 3 percent of Nevada’s total gaming revenue, the state saw a single-year record of $481.3 million in sports betting revenue in 2023. With the NFL and college football seasons approaching, Arizona could remain ahead of Nevada, especially with the launch of new sports betting apps.
Former baseball legends Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle were once suspended from Major League Baseball due to their association with Atlantic City casinos. However, they were reinstated by the MLB commissioner at the time, Peter Ueberroth, acknowledging their status as beloved athletes. Mays later helped open a remodeled race and sportsbook at Bally’s Las Vegas in 1995.
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