- Arizona is in the process of expanding state gaming law in introduce additional casino games as well as online/retail sports betting.
- DraftKings gained market access to Arizona via a partnership with the PGA Tour.
- The collaboration between DraftKings and the PGA on a retail sportsbook at TPC Scottsdale was announced as part of the market access deal.
Remember back in April 2021 when DraftKings hooked up with the PGA Tour for Arizona market access? The more interesting component of the announcement made on April 14, 2021 was plans for a DraftKings retail sportsbook at TPC Scottsdale:
The more interesting component might be the retail betting partnership: the PGA and DraftKings will collaborate on a ‘one of a kind retail sportsbook’ at the TPC Scottsdale golf facility. According to the press release, the retail sportsbook is a product of the “mutual commitment to fan engagement and innovation” shared by DraftKings and the PGA. Apparently, it’s not a profit deal. In addition, DraftKings will become the ‘exclusive sports betting partner of the Waste Management Phoenix Open’ hosted annually at TPC Scottsdale.
The DraftKings at TPC Scottsdale is coming together with construction slated to begin in May 2022. The current target date to open the new facility is Fall 2023. My first response was ‘more than a year to open a sportsbook?’ and then I saw the renderings of the project. To their credit, DK and the PGA aren’t doing this half assed. Allen + Philp Partners is the lead architect for the project–yep, a sportsbook with a ‘lead architect’. What they’ve come up with so far looks nothing short of amazing:
These are just the highlights–you can go to the official DraftKings at TPC Scottsdale website to see more. Assuming that the finished product looks as impressive as these renderings this might be the best looking sportsbook every built.
There’s really no greater accomplishment in architectural design than creating a structure that does a good job of serving its intended function without sacrificing aesthetics. This had become something of a lost art during the late 20th Century but it’s now making a comeback. One of my favorite ‘form and function’ buildings at the moment is Toronto’s gorgeous Union Station–it perfectly balances old and new all while serving as a functioning train station.
I’m getting a similar vibe from the new DK at TPC Scottsdale. I’ll reserve judgement on the function of the facility until after it opens but it definitely looks good.
