The FanDuel Sportsbook at PHX Arena opened on Sept. 9, 2021, the same day sports gambling was legalized in Arizona. (Photo by Tyler Wargo/Cronkite News)
PHOENIX – FanDuel Sportsbook is shutting down its downtown Phoenix location and replacing it with a lounge space.
The gambling company announced the news on a display outside its facility that’s attached to PHX Arena. It opened on Sept. 9, 2021, coinciding with the day the state legalized sports gambling in Arizona.
“In-person wagering at the FanDuel Sportsbook located in the Phoenix Suns Arena will permanently cease at the close of business on July 24, as the space is converted to a FanDuel lounge,” the display said.
That date is also the last time fans can finalize wagers.
The money generated by the sportsbook is far less than what comes in from FanDuel’s website and mobile app, and the facility was more used as an advertising arm.
“(The lounge) still be the same experience, you just won’t be able to place physical bets,” said Samuel McQuillan, a writer at legalsportsreport.com
Fans can enter the site from the street or in the arena, walking through metal detectors and scanning their I.D.s before entering.
The facility sports five betting windows, 26 kiosks, numerous TVs and an outdoor terrace, which includes a bar and food menu.
With the gradual takeover of mobile betting, fans have found it easier to bet on their phones than in person.
A display outside the FanDuel SportsBook announces the facility will close on July 24 to be converted into a FanDuel lounge. (Photo by Tyler Wargo/Cronkite News)
The Phoenix Suns will continue to have a partnership with FanDuel. Attendees can still expect to see promotions regarding quick parlays and betting odds at the venue.
“I think we are going to see many of the major operators try to get into the media ecosystem with their own betting advice integrated with the live games, ” said Joshua Gubbs, an associate professor at the University of New Mexico who researches the impacts of sports gambling.
FanDuel took a big loss during the 2024-25 football season as bettors were winning more than losing, Morningstar.com reported.
Flutter, the owner of FanDuel Sportsbook, had lost $370 million to NFL bettors.
“FanDuel had a big loss just in September as they took just about $7.2 million in bets and had to payout up to $10 million,” McQuillan said.
FanDuel Sportsbook changed its rules on betting odds following the losses.
The Phoenix venue wasn’t a big revenue generator.
“FanDuel Sportsbook location at the PHX Arena typically only contributed about 1% of the operator’s total Arizona handle for each month,” said Robert Linnehan a writer and editor for Sportrader.
FanDuel’s own streaming platform, FanDuel Sports Network, gained many subscribers and has partnered with 13 NBA teams, and nine MLB teams.
Arizona has not joined the platform.
FanDuel Sports Network seeks to expand to several other teams while also making its physical location available to in-person bets. McQuillan says that it would be a win-win scenario for PHX Arena and FanDuel.
“I view this as a money-saving move,” McQuillan said.
Sportsbooks across the country have appeared in the proximity of live games. FanDuel plans to implement its live betting promotion during live games.
It is unknown if a physical location would come back to support the FanDuel partnership residing in Arizona.
