The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADoG) has issued two gaming licenses for tribe-related events. Sporttrade, which currently operates in Iowa, New Jersey and Colorado, and UK-based Plannatech are now approved to offer digital betting.
Both companies will have strong ties to the tribe. Sporttrade will partner with the Quechan Indian Tribe on the Fort Yuma Indian Reservation, while Plannatech will partner with the San Carlos Apache Tribal Gaming Enterprise.
The Quecharnean Tribe had partnered with Unibet, but the latter withdrew from the state earlier this year. The San Carlos Apache Tribe had partnered with WynnBet, but WynnBet is shutting down its platform nationwide.
Sporttrade offers exchange betting in New Jersey, with technology that provides a similar experience to the stock market. But the company has struggled to convince other regulators to allow this type of betting. It operates as a traditional sportsbook in Colorado and Iowa.
It is unclear whether Arizona will allow exchange betting.
Plannatech is based in the Isle of Man and is a "B2B platform provider with innovative and cutting-edge technology" according to its LinkedIn website. According to Sports Handle, Plannatech is responsible for the back-end operations of Prime Sports, which has live broadcasts in New Jersey and Ohio.
The Abu Dhabi Gaming Authority opened the application window in July. At the time, it said it would issue at least one license for tribal casinos and professional sports franchises. Under the law, the state can issue 20 licenses, 10 each for tribal casinos and professional sports franchises.
SuperBook has since closed its platform outside of Nevada in July with another tribal license. SuperBook partners with the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe. It is likely that ADoG will open the window to issue this license again in the future.
On the pro side, eight Arizona sports betting licenses were initially applied for, but it appears no other pro teams in the state could meet the legal requirements. Since the application window opened, SaharaBets has been closed after owner Alex Meruelo sold the team's assets to a Utah group and subsequently failed to secure land to build an arena in the Phoenix area.
