BetMGM opens Phoenix’s first retail sportsbook at Vee Quiva

Last week, MGM Resorts announced the launch of its first retail sportsbook in Arizona, thanks to a partnership with the Gila River Indian Community. The BetMGM-branded sports betting lounge at the tribe’s Vee Quiva Hotel & Casino went live on Friday, marking the first opening of a retail sportsbook in Phoenix.

The sportsbook features 20 self-service betting kiosks and several ticket windows where bettors can place wagers with the help of ticket writers. The lounge also has a seating area with a capacity of over 100 guests where patrons can sit and watch games on 25 large screen displays as they wait to cash their tickets. There is also a huge media wall with information on teams and odds across different sports.

Vee Quiva is the first of three Gila River Casinos to offer retail wagering. The other two, Lone Butte and Wild Horse Pass will start operations in the near future.

Partners aiming to deliver ‘unique’ and ‘world-class’ experience

In a press statement about the new opening, Gila River Hotels & Casinos CEO Kenneth Manuel said that his company is excited to team up with BetMGM to provide its customers with a varied and engaging roster of sports markets to bet on. He also said that the new offering is in line with its goal of delivering unmatched experiences to sports fans across the Grand Canyon State.

“The new sportsbooks align perfectly with Gila River’s sports-centric brand. As Arizona’s Official Sports Headquarters, we take pride in bringing unique sports experiences to our valued guests. We’re excited to partner with BetMGM to deliver a diverse, engaging selection of betting options, no matter if you’re a huge sports fan or just want to check out the fun,” said Manuel.

BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt added: “It’s great to see our partnership with Gila River come to life in Arizona. The BetMGM Sportsbook at Vee Quiva will be a true destination for sports fans as we look forward to opening additional venues at Wild Pass and Lone Butte. These retail sportsbooks complement our existing mobile platform in Arizona and further cement our goal of providing BetMGM customers with a world-class experience.”

The two companies announced their partnership in August in a three-way agreement that also included NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, who have had an official sponsorship deal with Gila River Casinos since 2006.

Gila River, however, was not allocated a combined license for both online and retail sports betting, which means that it can only operate physical sportsbooks.

BetMGM and Arizona Cardinals to launch retail betting in 2022

In addition to the three Gila River Casino locations, BetMGM is also preparing to open an on-site sportsbook at the State Farm Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals.

The agreement signed with the Cardinals in August gave BetMGM exclusive rights to build and operate a physical sportsbook at the stadium, making it the first company to ink a retail sports betting agreement with a professional football team countrywide. The agreement with the Cardinals also allowed BetMGM to roll out its online sportsbook in Arizona when the market kicked off in early September.

According to the partners, the sports betting lounge at the State Farm Stadium will be ready to open for business before the start of the 2022/2023 NFL season.