ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals, BetMGM announce sports betting partnership at State Farm Stadium

Aug 9, 2021, 7:11 AM | Updated: 7:13 am

The United States flag is held on the field for the national anthem before the NFL game between the...

The United States flag is held on the field for the national anthem before the NFL game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Detroit Lions at State Farm Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Lions and Cardinals tied 27-27. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

The Arizona Cardinals on Monday announced a partnership with BetMGM with plans to offer a sports gambling experience inside their home, State Farm Stadium.

BetMGM plans to open its sportsbook by the start of the 2022 NFL season, although it expects to offer its online betting experience to the state of Arizona when sports gambling becomes legal before the start of this NFL season.

The Cardinals are the first team in their league to announce a planned sportsbook inside their stadium.

“This is a tremendous opportunity to build upon our long-standing relationship with Gila River and launch a new one with BetMGM,” Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill said in a release.

“They are best-in-class partners whose excellence and expertise in this emerging space will provide a new and innovative way to engage and interact with our fans.”

The announcement also includes BetMGM’s plans to open three sportsbooks with the Gila River Indian Community, which operates casinos at Wild Horse Pass, Lone Butte and Vee Quiva. Sportsbooks at all three casinos are expected to be ready to open by the start of this coming NFL season.

“Arizona sports fans are extremely passionate and we’re confident they’ll enjoy the BetMGM experience,” BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt said in a release.

“Gila River Hotels & Casinos and the Arizona Cardinals represent the state’s premier casino destinations and sports franchise, making them the ideal partners for us.”

The first game of the season is between the Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 9.

The move by BetMGM into Arizona comes after the state announced it would legalized sports gambling on April 15. It follows a wave of betting services coming to agreements with pro sports entities in the state.

In April, DraftKings announced that it will partner with the PGA Tour to open a sportsbook at TPC Scottsdale, the home of the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

Soon after, FanDuel announced just after Gov. Doug Ducey’s signing to legalize sports betting that it would open a year-round retail sportsbook at then-Phoenix Suns Arena, which has since rebranded as Footprint Center.

The Arizona Diamondbacks partnered with Caesar’s to open a sportsbook just outside of Chase Field in May.

And in June, the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury and Bally’s Corporation announced a 15-year partnership. It was the first gaming access contract with a professional women’s sports team, according to a press release.

Arizona Cardinals

The Chiefs try to make history against the Eagles by winning a third consecutive Super Bowl, this t...

Associated Press

Chiefs aim to make history in city where they won their first Super Bowl

The Chiefs will try to make history against the Eagles by winning a third consecutive Super Bowl, this time in the same city where they won their first.

3 hours ago

The Philadelphia Eagles' offensive line could prove to be a pivotal factor in the outcome of Sunday...

Associated Press

Eagles’ Super Bowl path paved by prowess of their offensive line

The Philadelphia Eagles' offensive line could prove to be a pivotal factor in the outcome of Sunday's Super Bowl matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs.

5 hours ago

Tush push...

Associated Press

Chiefs think they have answer for Eagles’ tush push in Super Bowl

No team has taken advantage of the tush push the way the Eagles have, but the Chiefs think they have an answer for a play deemed unstoppable.

18 hours ago

Arizona Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort looks on. It's officially NFL mock draft season with Arizona's...

Tyler Drake

NFL mock draft tracker: What will Cardinals do with No. 16 pick?

A look across the NFL mock draft landscape when it comes to the Arizona Cardinals' No. 16 overall pick in this year's draft.

1 day ago

Bidwill...

Associated Press

Former Cardinals employee files lawsuit against owner Michael Bidwill for verbal abuse

A former assistant to Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill filed a lawsuit against him, saying that she was verbally abused during her tenure.

2 days ago

Larry Fitzgerald...

Damon Allred

Larry Fitzgerald praises Kenny Dillingham following ASU offer to son Devin

Larry Fitzgerald threw some credit Kenny Dillingham's way following his son's recent offer to be a Sun Devil.

2 days ago

Cardinals, BetMGM announce sports betting partnership at State Farm Stadium