Arizona

Strive Gaming makes Arizona debut with the Desert Diamond Brand

Published

4 years ago

December 22, 2021

US and Canada focused platform specialist has been selected by Desert Diamond Mobile for its player platform and managed services solutions

Strive Gaming, the first player platform business designed specifically for the modern, multi-state requirements of operators targeting the North American market, will make its debut in Arizona with Desert Diamond Mobile LLC.

Desert Diamond Mobile LLC is owned by the Tohono O’odham Nation, one of the largest casino operators in Arizona. Its Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise operates the four Desert Diamond Casinos.

Desert Diamond Mobile, through its collaboration with Strive Gaming, will now launch an online and mobile sportsbook under the Desert Diamond brand to players in the state for the very first time.

Under its multi-year agreement with Strive Gaming, Desert Diamond Mobile will use Strive Gaming’s player platform and managed services solution to allow new and existing bettors to experience online the world-class enjoyment they also receive at the Desert Diamond Casinos.

Strive Gaming’s managed services solution runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week and offers dedicated customer support directly to the operator’s players via a team of highly trained agents based across North America and Europe.

Desert Diamond Mobile also will benefit from Strive Gaming’s deep integration with the Kambi tech stack, which is powering Desert Diamond Mobile’s sportsbook, allowing it to unlock tremendous upsides.

Strive Gaming already has a first customer to go live in Colorado and excels because it has been built purely for the post-PASPA North American market and to meet the individual needs of operators while also being compliant with differing state regulations.

It focuses on performance at scale and possess the market-leading Infinity Engine, a flexible rules engine that brings operators closer to their customers, significantly increasing performance as a result.

Desert Diamond Mobile will launch to players in the state via its website playdesertdiamond.com, ahead of the NFL Playoffs where the Arizona Cardinals are well-positioned for a playoff bid.

Max Meltzer, CEO of Strive Gaming, said: “Having spent time in Arizona and on property at Desert Diamond Casinos located across the state, I recognise the quality and importance of the Desert Diamond brand to customers.

“Desert Diamond Mobile will have incredible power when it comes to merging existing Desert Diamond customers online and also when it comes to leveraging the Desert Diamond brand equity to sign up new customers. This will be underpinned by using our market leading technology and services.

“This is undoubtedly an ambitious project but one that we are delighted to be a part of and I look forward to a long and successful relationship with Desert Diamond Mobile.”

Arizona

Arizona Department of Gaming Marks Fifth Super Bowl of Legal Sports Betting — November Wagers Top $965M

Published

3 days ago

February 5, 2026

Wladimir P.

arizona-department-of-gaming-marks-fifth-super-bowl-of-legal-sports-betting-—-november-wagers-top-$965m

The Arizona Department of Gaming today highlighted a major milestone: the upcoming Super Bowl will be the fifth played under Arizona’s legal, state-regulated sports wagering framework. Since regulated event wagering launched in 2021, Arizona’s oversight—guided by state law and Tribal-State Compacts—has aimed to protect consumers, preserve integrity, and generate public revenue.

Key November 2025 figures: strong wagering growth

In its latest monthly report, the Department said Arizona bettors wagered approximately $965 million on sports and events in November 2025 — about a 7.5% increase versus November 2024. The state collected roughly $5.5 million in privilege fees for the month.* Fiscal year-to-date privilege fees total $26.3 million (about $25.7M from event wagering and $637,399 from fantasy sports).

Arizona also recorded its highest monthly event wagering in October 2025 with $967,141,269, and the second-highest in November 2025 with $965,233,844.*

Regulated framework and consumer protections

Arizona’s regulated model requires licensed operators to follow statutory rules, Tribal-State Compacts, and ongoing regulatory oversight. The Department conducts audits, compliance reviews, and integrity controls designed to prevent fraud and illegal activity. Licensed event wagering operators remit privilege fees, calculated as a percentage of gaming revenue — with 90% of those fees directed to Arizona’s General Fund to support state programs and priorities.

There are currently fourteen licensed event wagering operators approved to offer wagering in Arizona, each subject to ongoing Department review and potential audit adjustments.

Responsible play and support resources

The Department emphasizes the importance of using state-licensed event wagering and fantasy sports apps or retail locations. For guidance and safety tips, players are encouraged to visit Check Your Bet at gaming.az.gov/checkyourbet.

For individuals and families affected by problem gambling, the Department’s Division of Problem Gambling offers confidential, subsidized treatment and resources statewide at problemgambling.az.com.

* Disclaimer: Monthly operator figures are self-reported and subject to adjustment after Department audits and review. The Department does not guarantee the final accuracy of the self-reported totals.

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ADG

Arizona Department of Gaming Names Juan Carlos Estrada as Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts Executive Director

Published

2 weeks ago

January 22, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

arizona-department-of-gaming-names-juan-carlos-estrada-as-boxing-and-mixed-martial-arts-executive-director

Two decades of agency experience inform Executive Director’s new post

The Arizona Department of Gaming (Department) announced that it has appointed Juan Carlos Estrada as Executive Director, Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts (BMMA). A long time employee of the Department with roles spanning regulation and operations, including for high-profile boxing and mixed martial arts events and activities, Estrada will now serve as Executive Director of BMMA and will also continue to hold the position of Assistant Director of BMMA and Racing.

The Department’s Division of Boxing and MMA supports the Arizona State Boxing and MMA Commission in its regulation of unarmed combat sporting events taking place in Arizona, including licensing fighters, referees, judges, inspectors, and physicians. The Commission licensed over 1,027 fighters, promoters, and event officials in Fiscal Year 2025, while overseeing 28 events, including nine events that were also televised worldwide.

“Over the past decade, Juan Carlos Estrada has served in various capacities regulating the unarmed combat sports industry in Arizona supervising hundreds of boxing, mixed martial arts and muay thai events,” said Jackie Johnson, Director, Arizona Department of Gaming. “He has earned a reputation for a balanced and transparent approach as a state regulator, and I’m thrilled to congratulate him on this milestone.”

With past roles since 2004 including Investigator, Racing Steward, and Employee Certification Unit Supervisor, Estrada has continued to work collaboratively and across divisions to promote fair and effective regulation. In the Executive Director position, he will serve as the direct liaison between the Arizona Boxing and MMA Commission and the Department, and will lead all responsibilities and initiatives with respect to unarmed combat sports – ensuring the health and safety of participants and enforcing applicable laws and rules.

“I’m humbled to accept my appointment as the Executive Director of Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts,” said Estrada. “I want to sincerely thank the promoters, athletes, officials, and my colleagues for the trust and confidence they have given me over the years. I’m looking forward to continuing to serve the public while ensuring that contests are safe, fair, and regulated.”

A Native Arizonan, Estrada has given back to his community by volunteering for the City of Phoenix Police and Fire departments while continuing his leadership at the Department and attaining professional development in the industry. His experience includes working with organizations like the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), King of the Cage, Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA), and numerous regional and local promotions.

The post Arizona Department of Gaming Names Juan Carlos Estrada as Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts Executive Director appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Arizona

Arizona Department of Gaming Reports $44.9 Million in Tribal Gaming Contributions for the Second Quarter of Fiscal Year 2026

Published

1 month ago

January 8, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

arizona-department-of-gaming-reports-$44.9-million-in-tribal-gaming-contributions-for-the-second-quarter-of-fiscal-year-2026

The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) announced today $44,891,270 in tribal gaming contributions to the Arizona Benefits Fund for the second quarter of Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. This represents an approximate 5.6 percent increase when compared to the same quarter of FY 2025.

“The financial support that tribal gaming provides the state of Arizona continues to power local and statewide needs that are vital to healthy and safe communities,” said Jackie Johnson, Director of the ADG. “With nearly $45 million in tribal gaming contributions in the most recent period, the Department is proud to ensure the continuation of important revenue streams that positively impact Arizonans.”

The Arizona Benefits Fund receives 88 percent of tribal gaming contributions, providing significant dollars to support instructional improvement for schools, trauma and emergency care, tourism, and wildlife conservation throughout the state. If interested in viewing the cumulative tribal gaming contributions by year, please visit our reports webpage: gaming.az.gov/resources/reports.

Tribal gaming contributions to the Arizona Benefits Fund for the second quarter of the State’s FY 2026 are as follows:

Instructional Improvement Fund/Education………………………………………………..$22,373,810

Trauma and Emergency Services Fund………………………………………………………..$11,186,905

Arizona Department of Gaming Operating Costs………………………………………….$4,040,214

Arizona Wildlife Conservation Fund……………………………………………………………$3,196,258

Tourism Fund…………………………………………………………………………………………..$3,196,258

Problem Gambling Education, Treatment and Prevention……………………………..$897,825

Total: Tribal Gaming Contributions to the Arizona Benefits Fund……………………..$44,891,270

Per the Arizona Tribal-State Gaming Compact, the remaining 12 percent is distributed by the tribes to the cities, towns, and counties of their choosing for community services and public safety programs for local governments. Since FY 2004, cumulative contributions have totaled approximately $2.5 billion, benefitting both the state and its cities, towns, and counties.

Currently, there are 26 Class III casinos in Arizona, which ADG regulates in partnership with Arizona tribes. For more information, view our tribal gaming webpage: gaming.az.gov/tribal-gaming-page.

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