Final stumbling block cleared
A judge has cleared the final stumbling block that could have derailed the September 9 launch of legal sports betting in Arizona.
Maricopa County Superior Court Judge James Smith on Monday refused to issue an injunction request by the Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe (YPIT) to stop sports wagering from starting Thursday. The YPIT owns Bucky’s Casino and the Yavapai Casino in Arizona.
DraftKings Sportsbook took to Twitter last night to trumpet words that are music to bettors’ ears: “Sports betting is coming to Arizona on September 9”:
According to the Associated Press, Judge Smith’s ruling landed “just hours after he held an unusual Labor Day hearing” on the request filed by the YPIT.
The YPIT wanted HB 2772 declared unconstitutional, arguing that the law violates the state’s Voter Protection Act. It posited that the bill illegally amended Proposition 202, a 2002 voter initiative that restricted gambling outside of tribal reservations.
The judge countered by writing that Proposition 202 regulated the forms of wagering permitted at tribal casinos, but not other types of gambling.
Challenge followed rejection
The Maricopa County Court judgment signed by Smith on September 6 argues that the YPIT only filed its challenge to the law 133 days after Ducey passed HB 2772.
Six tribal applicants, including the YPIT, failed to receive a license.
The suit notably arrived on the same day that the Arizona Department of Gaming apportioned the state’s first sports betting licenses. Out of the 18 licenses awarded, eight went to professional sports entities and ten to tribal partners. Six tribal applicants, including the YPIT, failed to receive a license.
Judge Smith said the tribe’s delay in filing the motion went against it and “rebuts the notion of irreparable harm.”
“not just a win in court, but a win for Arizona”
Governor Ducey’s spokesperson, C.J. Karamargin, said Smith’s ruling “is not just a win in court, but a win for Arizona.” Karamargin added that a “tremendous amount of work” went into implementing HB 2772, and that Monday’s ruling “means that work will be allowed to continue.”
Arizona ready to rumble
Arizona lawmakers have met the clearing of the last hurdle ahead of the much-awaited launch of sports betting with relief. Arizona Senator T.J. Shope (R) said that, while he expected the Maricopa County Court ruling, he was “thankful that law was followed nonetheless.”
Shope took to Twitter to declare that “Event wagering is coming!”:
Arizona State Representative Jeff Weninger (R) also got onto Twitter to express that he was “thrilled” by the court’s decision, saying he was “excited for event wagering to start on Thursday”:
Sports betting will launch in Arizona on the same day the 2021-22 National Football League season kicks off, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hosting the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night.