EDITOR’S NOTE

HALF A BILLION!

What Is Going On?

any of our readers are wondering why we are reporting on sports betting when we are primarily focused on slots, the big attraction, on casino floors.M I get it. Who cares about sports betting? Well, someone cares, and it’s not just casino executives. It’s you, our readers. To the tune of $499,213,733.39 from December 1 to 31, 2021 for Event Wagering and another $4,974,390.68 during the same time period for Fantasy Sports Contest entry fees. Of which, the State of Arizona received $1,748,784.20 in total privilege fees. Nonetheless, that’s over half a billion dollars wagered in one way or another on sports in Arizona. Let’s just have that number sink in and simmer in our minds for a bit. No wonder Ted Vogt, Director of the Arizona Department of Gaming, had this to say about the December 2021 numbers, “With a new record for total wagers and payouts in December, I am excited to see the continued strong start to the state’s event wagering & fantasy sports market. I look forward to seeing the benefits to Arizona as the market further develops.” Remember though, there were $459,390,805.57 paid out in winnings during the same month. That’s a lot of winners! So, operators “only” had gross revenues of $38,596,499.92 as a group for the month. Regardless of how large the Tribal Gaming numbers are during a given month, these sports betting numbers are big. And the natural question is, where did it come from? So, ask around. Your family members, friends, neighbors, and coworkers are all candidates. And, there are quite a number of you placing wagers in the casino sports books and at the kiosks too! Again, sports betting is just the first step of several leading to an expanded gaming market here in Arizona. I’m excited to see what the future holds! Have A Lucky Month! Alexandra

Alexandra Lang Editor-in-Chief Editor@AZGamingGuide.com

Your Authority On Everything Gaming

VOLUME 14 • ISSUE 04 MANAGING DIRECTOR & VIDEO POKER GURU Elizabeth Torma liz@azgamingguide.com PUBLISHER & SLOT GURU Chris Höft chris@azgamingguide.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Alexandra Lang editor@azgamingguide.com ART DIRECTOR Melanie Mueller CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Al Moe Mark Novak TJ Jorgensen Lana Hartmann Samantha Becker ADVERTISING SALES Elizabeth Torma liz@azgamingguide.com Nina Consiglio nina@azgamingguide.com MAILING INFORMATION Arizona Gaming Guide P.O. Box 20636 Mesa, Arizona 85277 INTERNET INFORMATION AZGamingGuide.com Facebook.com/ArizonaGamingGuide

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