Desert Diamond Casinos & Entertainment on Thursday launched two retail sportsbook locations in Arizona, one in Sahuarita and another in Glendale, West Valley. A third location in Tucson is currently being developed.
The sports gambling operation will be locally run through a partnership with Desert Diamond and the Kambi Group.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the Sahuarita location, where CEO Mike Bean spoke and said: “Sports betting has really happened very quickly throughout the country. And it’s still early for us. It was important for us to be able to compete and be able to provide this additional amenity”.
— Desert Diamond (@DiamondCasinos) December 3, 2021
The Desert Diamond Sahuarita sportsbook is part of the sports bar area, with electronic kiosks available for wagerers. Large televisions with betting lines and information for different sports sit on the walls above.
Arizona legalized retail and mobile sports betting in September, but the process to officially open the retail sportsbooks requires a lengthy regulatory process.
Tohono O’odham Gaming Management Board Chairman Justin Manuel commented: “A lot of the end product that you see around us is really the front end of it, but there’s a lot of ‘back of house’, dealing with the regulatory compliances”. He also described the launch as a “win-win” for the tribe and local community.
“A lot of negotiating. A lot of bringing the leadership together. Not only for our tribe but all of the tribes in Arizona”, said Tohono O’odham Nation vice Chairwoman Wavalene Saunders.
Tohono O’odham Nation leaders believe the revenue will lead to new jobs and other crucial improvements on tribal lands. Saunders elaborated: “More scholarships, more services. Addressing more needs within our Nation’s boundaries regarding health care, police, fire, education. You name it, the needs are out there”.
Desert Diamond Casinos resumed 24/7 gaming at the Sahuarita and Tucson locations in November for the first time since the pandemic started.
Casino del Sol opened Tucson’s first retail sportsbook, SolSports, last month. Both casino brands are also working on plans for mobile sports betting.
