In-person sports betting has arrived in Tucson.
Casino Del Sol opened the SolSports recently to become the first retail sportsbook in the area.
Arizonans have been enjoying legal sports betting from their phones for over two months now. However, the Vegas-like feel of placing a bet at a ticket window has been exclusive to people in the metro Phoenix area.
Not anymore.
SolSports open for Arizona sports betting business
SolSports is a 4,000-square-foot venue with over 60 TVs, including jumbo flat screens and a high-definition video wall to watch all the big games. Visitors can place bets at six live ticket writer counters or eight self-service betting kiosks.
The new sportsbook is located inside the casino next to the bingo hall. There’s enough room for over 100 bettors, along with a full bar and food service. Guests can find game-day favorites like burgers, hot dogs and chicken wings on the menu.
“Our team developed a truly fantastic environment for sports fans to enjoy all of the game day action,” Kimberly Van Amburg, CEO of Casino Del Sol, said ahead of the opening. “And we are thrilled to welcome Tucsonans to experience the excitement of in-person sports betting at SolSports.”
SolSports leverages Scientific Games’ OpenSports technology to power its sports betting service. At the same time, Casino Del Sol will be the sportsbook’s operator and bookmaker. Officials say SolSports is offering the most competitive lines in Arizona.
“Our ability to offer sports wagering to our guests has been many years in the making, and we are elated to see our vision come to fruition with SolSports,” said Peter Yucupicio, chairman of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe.
“This new gaming option will have a positive economic impact on our tribe and the state of Arizona.”
Sportsbook personnel will be ready to help with making wagers and to answer questions.
More retail sportsbooks popping up in Arizona
While SolSports is the first retail sportsbook in Tucson, it joins the growing list of locations across the state. There are six other retail books in the Phoenix area.
- Caesars Sportsbook: located outside Chase Field
- FanDuel Sportsbook: located inside Footprint Center
- Barstool Sportsbook: located at Phoenix Raceway
- BetMGM Sportsbook: located inside Gila River Hotels & Casino at Vee Quiva, Wild Horse Pass and Lone Butte
More retail sportsbooks inside tribal casinos are on the way. The Tohono O’odham Nation plans on opening on-site sportsbooks at the tribe’s Desert Diamond Casinos. There is no exact date for the launches at this time. However, there are plans to join the AZ online sports betting market down the road.
Kambi Group will operate retail sportsbooks at the Glendale, Tucson and Sahuarita locations. Kambi will install self-service kiosks, bring-your-own-device technology and the company’s in-event parlay product.
Meanwhile, Arizona’s other tribal casinos are allowed to begin the process of starting their own retail sportsbooks. Harrah’s Ak-Chin Hotel & Casino in Maricopa says plans are still in the works. All tribal casinos can have retail sports betting under their compacts.
On the other hand, we will soon see retail sportsbooks at more of Arizona’s sports venues. The Arizona Cardinals teamed with BetMGM to put a retail sportsbook inside State Farm Stadium. The franchise is hoping the location will be open in time for the 2022 NFL season. Meanwhile, the PGA Tour will soon see a sportsbook open at TPC Scottsdale, operated by DraftKings.
