Arizona Department of Gaming Issues, then Pulls Back Online Sports Betting License for Cliff Castle Casino

Cliff Castle Casino Hotel Event Wagering License

The fact that we were issued a license and then told that we did not get a license with no explanation has raised more questions than answers about the license allocation process

CAMP VERDE, Ariz. (PRWEB)
August 30, 2021

On Monday, August 23, 2021, the Arizona Department of Gaming issued Cliff Castle Casino an Event Wagering Operator License for online sports betting in the State.

Cliff Castle Casino was not surprised that it received the license as it believes it was well-positioned to obtain a license based on the allocation criteria in the Department’s regulations and its partnership with PointsBet – one of the top five sportsbook sites in the country.

Although Cliff Castle Casino did not publicly announce its licensure, it was referenced in the sportsbook media.

On August 25, the Arizona Department of Gaming contacted Cliff Castle Casino stating that its issuance of the license was an “administrative error”. Perplexed on how such an error could occur, Cliff Castle Casino could only assume that the “error” was that the Department had decided that it released the license too early as the Department had until Friday, August 27, to notify applicants.

On Friday, August 27, Cliff Castle Casino was notified by the Arizona Department of Gaming that it had not been allocated an Event Wagering Operator license, with no explanation of why the Casino’s application was denied. “During the licensing process, we had expectations that the Arizona Department of Gaming would be transparent in how the licenses were awarded. The fact that we were issued a license and then told that we did not get a license with no explanation has raised more questions than answers about the license allocation process” stated Cliff Castle Casino General Manager Aaron Moss.

Cliff Castle Casino is a Subordinate Economic Organization of the Yavapai-Apache Nation. Revenue from event wagering under the license would have supported tribal programs for the Nation’s members, and would have helped offset the projected negative economic impacts from the expansion of gaming in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area authorized under the 2021 Compact Amendment.

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About Cliff Castle Casino Hotel

Located an hour north of Phoenix on I-17 and just south of Sedona in Camp Verde, AZ, Cliff Castle Casino Hotel is proudly owned and operated by the Yavapai-Apache Nation. A major employer in the area, Cliff Castle Casino Hotel is a premier destination that has been in business for 26 years, offering Las Vegas- caliber blackjack, slot machines, electronic roulette, and craps. Guests can enjoy fine dining at Storytellers restaurant and family dining in Mountain Springs buffet, Johnny Rockets, or grab a quick bite at Three Sisters. Cliff Castle Casino has a new hotel featuring 122 luxury suites, king rooms, double- queen rooms, a pool, a multi-purpose event center, a coffee shop, and a 300-space parking garage. For more information about Cliff Castle Casino Hotel, visit http://www.cliffcastlecasino.com.

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