BetMGM and Gila River Casinos Launch Arizona’s Largest Retail Sportsbook

Article ByDavid Weir

July 3, 2023

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Posted in: Arizona Gambling News, US Sports Betting News

BetMGM, the online arm of MGM Resorts International, and Gila River Resorts & Casinos have announced the opening of the BetMGM Sportsbook at Santan Mountain Casino (pictured).

The new venue, which has a spacious 7,000 square feet of floorspace, is the largest retail sports betting location in Arizona.

The Santan Mountain Casino is also a recent addition to Arizona’s casino sector, having opened on Friday June 30.

The 33,000-square-foot venue is on the very outskirts of Phoenix in the suburb of Chandler. It comes with sweeping views of the Santan Mountain regional park wilderness area, emphasized by floor to ceiling windows in parts of the property.

The Santan Mountain Casino cost $180 million to develop over nearly two years.

Successful Collaborations

This latest sportsbook launch marks the fourth collaboration between BetMGM and Gila River Resorts & Casinos, following the launches of BetMGM Sportsbooks at Vee Quiva, Wild Horse Pass, and Lone Butte.

The new sportsbook at Santan Mountain Casino is set to provide something different from Arizona’s competing sportsbooks, according to BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt.

“We are thrilled to see our partnership with Gila River continue to grow throughout Arizona,” Greenblatt said in an official joint press release from the two operators. “The BetMGM Sportsbook at Santan Mountain is in a beautiful location and will provide an exciting atmosphere for sports fans in the area.”

A Unique Gaming Experience

The Santan Mountain Casino, Gila River Resorts & Casinos’ newest property, certainly offers a unique setting.

The casino features 33,000 square feet of gaming floor, 813 slot machines, 25 table games, and wide ranging views of the Santan Mountains.

“We are excited to break the mold with traditional casinos and bring a stunning new property to our loyal guests,” said Kenneth Manuel, CEO of Gila River Resorts & Casinos, when it opened last week.

“With views of the Santan Mountains, modern touches, and the largest casino sportsbook in the state of Arizona, we are excited to continue our partnership with BetMGM and give our guests an elevated gaming experience they can’t find anywhere else.”

Sportsbook and More

The BetMGM Sportsbook at Santan Mountain Casino is equipped with eight self-service betting kiosks, four betting windows, and a 130-foot LED screen, the largest in the Phoenix metropolitan area.  

The sportsbook offers booth and individual seating options.

Bettors can also take advantage of the $180 million project’s three restaurants, including full sit-down, three-course dining at Honey & Vine.

The launch of Arizona’s latest sports book comes at an interesting time. The state this week passed $10 billion in overall sports bets wagered since legalization in January. That makes it the fastest state to reach that milestone since states began legalizing sports betting.

However, online mobile sportsbooks dominate, with more than 98% of the overall market share. So it’s interesting that BetMGM is trying to buck the trend by launching the state’s largest retail sportsbook – and one with a scenic location to boot.

Rival sports betting operator Barstool Sports recently pulled out of its planned deal to build a retail sportsbook at NASCAR’s Phoenix Raceway, about 40 miles away from BetMGM’s Santan Mountain sportsbook. NASCAR said a competitive market and low footfall location was behind the cancellation of the venue.