The British operator Betfred has extended its reach in Arizona by launching its first betting apps in the state.
They had undertaken a ‘soft’ launch late in January, and after that proved successful decided to roll out dedicated apps for both Apple and Android devices in March.
Bettors can wager on a comprehensive array of professional and college sports and markets via the apps, with single bets, parlays, teasers, and futures all offered with a few taps of your screen. New customers can also enjoy a welcome package worth up to $3,000.
It follows Betfred’s first foray into Arizona sports betting back in November. They joined forces with the We-Po-Ka Casino in Fort McDowell to launch eight self-serving wagering kiosks, giving AZ bettors their first chance to sample the brand on state soil.
The chief operating officer at Betfred US, Bryan Bennett, is looking forward to his company’s online expansion.
“I could not be more excited to expand our Betfred Sports betting apps into the Arizona market,” he said. “We look forward to offering customers in the entire state unique experiences that they can’t access on any other platform.”
Meanwhile, Mary Ketterling – the general manager at We-Po-Ka Casino Resort – revealed: “Three months ago, the We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort and Betfred Sports introduced sports betting kiosks at our beautiful desert gaming destination, and most recently opened a temporary full-service sportsbook. Adding mobile apps is one more way we can offer Arizonans an easy, user-friendly, and unparalleled sports betting experience.”
Betfred currently operates a temporary sportsbook at the WKP Sports & Entertainment Bar from Thursday to Sunday at the Arizona casino, although a purpose-built and permanent facility is expected to be ready by late summer.
Fred’s Folly
While he may not offer the same generosity in the increasingly-expanding Arizona betting market, Fred Done – the owner of Betfred – is known as something of a risk-taker in his native England… and he’s not always got it right.
Done has been known to settle futures bets early – so it would be like paying out on the Phoenix Suns outright wagers halfway through the post-season.
Not once but twice have Betfred settled futures early and watched on in horror as the team in question has folded and failed to win – costing the company millions.
In 2012, Manchester United – the soccer club that Done supports – had a comfortable lead at the top of the English Premier League table, and so he instructed his Betfred employees to pay out on futures bets early.
But disaster struck as United capitulated during the climax of the season, and their Manchester rivals City pipped them to the title on goal difference. So Done had to pay out on futures tickets backing both United and City… a disaster, by all accounts.
He clearly hadn’t learned his lesson from 1998, when he once again paid out early on Manchester United winning the league – they would later lose the title to Arsenal by just one point.
That was a move that cost Done £500,000 – or around $650,000, which was a considerable amount of money back then. Will Betfred be so generous with NFL, NBA, or MLB futures bets placed in Arizona?
