Navajo Gaming and Hard Rock Digital are celebrating the Arizona launch of the Hard Rock Sportsbook.
The mobile app started an “early access launch” in late February. So that means Hard Rock is ready to dive deep into the Arizona sports betting market.
All 18 entities that received sports betting licenses have launched some sort of online betting capability in the Grand Canyon State.
Hard Rock jumps into the AZ Sports Betting game
On Jan. 27, Navajo Gaming Partners announced a deal to partner with Hard Rock Digital, with mobile sports betting at the core of this agreement.
The Hard Rock Sportsbook app provides customers ages 21 and over access to bets across major sporting events. There are also innovative promotions and top-notch customer support. Officials with Hard Rock say the sportsbook includes more sports to bet live, same-game parlays and unique rewards features. Marlon Goldstein, Executive Managing Director & CEO for Hard Rock Digital, said:
“Arizona has a rich sports culture and we’re proud to enter the state with our great partners at Navajo Gaming. We’re excited to debut our new platform, which players of all experience levels will appreciate for its ease of use, unique features and robust gaming options. Legendary service is part of Hard Rock’s ethos, and we believe our commitment to customer support will help us stand out in this competitive market.”
The two partners realize there is significant competition for the betting dollar in Arizona. AZ Sportsbooks saw $564 million in wagers in January. Moreover, those numbers don’t include several betting apps that have launched in the last two months.
Currently, mobile sports betting is not allowed on tribal lands per the Navajo Nation and Arizona State Gaming Compact. However, the teamwork between two Native American gaming organizations creates unique opportunities. According to Brian Parrish, Interim Chief Executive Officer for the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise,
“We could not be more pleased or proud of our partnership with Hard Rock Digital. The quality and functionality of the mobile platform is outstanding, and we are anticipating great opportunities to cross-market the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise with a premiere gaming-hospitality operator and the world-renowned Hard Rock brand.”
Possibility of Hard Rock Retail Sportsbook
The Navajo Nation runs the Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort in Flagstaff, Arizona. Thanks to the state’s sports betting law and gaming compacts, the tribe can open up a retail sports betting location if they want to. Meaning, the public could see yet another spot for in-person betting in Arizona.
However, at this time, it is unclear if plans for a brick-and-mortar betting venue are in the works. Obviously, that could change over time.
More retail sportsbooks are popping up across Arizona. So it is possible that the tribe decides to incorporate in-person betting down the road.
The Hard Rock Sportsbook app is available on iOS and Android devices. It can be used by bettors that are physically located in Arizona.
