The timing of legal sports betting going live in Arizona could not have been better. It deliberately coincided with the opening weekend of NFL action in September. Lawmakers and operators knew the importance of a hot start and from a betting perspective NFL is the nation’s favorite sport. What they couldn’t necessarily have predicted is the additional boost of how well the Cardinals have started the season.

After week 9 in the NFL, you could say the cream starts to rise to the top. And while it’s not surprising to see the Arizona Cardinals with a winning record, it is more of a surprise that they are looking like the strongest team across the entire league.

 

Cardinals Flying High

As the Arizona sports betting market builds on a successful launch, the Cardinals are flying high with a league best 8-1 record. They have the top scoring offense in the league at 30.8 PPG and the 3rd best scoring defense, giving up a scant 17.2 PPG. That average of 13.6 PPG margin of victory is one of the largest in recent history at this point of the season.

To the credit of GM Steve Klein and Head Coach Kliff Kingsbury, they have spent the last few years building this team the right way. In 2018, the Cardinals had a dismal record of 3-13 but since then the team has improved every year.

However, not everyone is convinced yet of the Cardinals’ title prospects. Online sportsbooks have them at +900 to win the Super Bowl. This leaves them 4th on the list of projected winners behind defending champions the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+550), the Buffalo Bills (+600), and the Los Angeles Rams (+800).

 

BetRivers Sportsbook Arizona

Sports bettors in Arizona received more good news in October. The highly rated BetRivers sportsbook joined an already impressive roster of sports betting operators in the Grand Canyon State. And clearly BetRivers is committed to the Arizona market, signing a deal with the local Arena Football franchise.

Through its parent company Rush Street Interactive, BetRivers has partnered with the Arizona Rattlers of the Arena Football League. In that capacity, BetRivers is licensed to provide online sports betting within the state. They are also permitted to operate a retail sportsbook within close proximity to the Footprint Center in Phoenix where the Rattlers play their home games.

The addition of BetRivers to AZ should come as no surprise. Rush Street Interactive has been very aggressive in making the BetRivers brand a household name throughout the country. With the addition of Arizona, the sports betting operator is now licensed to provide legal betting services in 12 states with more licenses still pending. The list of live states includes New Jersey, Michigan, Virginia and Colorado.

 

Arizona NFL And NBA Teams

BetRivers is taking full advantage of this golden moment for Arizona sports wagering. With the Cardinals and the NBA’s Phoenix Suns playing playoff-caliber ball, betting interest in the state is running high.

The key to the Cardinals success would seem to revolve around the drafting of QB Kyler Murray, who has shown tremendous progress during his 2.5 years in the league. This year to date he has passed for 2,276 yards and 17 touchdowns against only 7 interceptions. He also has 149 yards rushing with 3 touchdowns. While none of those numbers really jump off the page, they are indicative of good leadership and efficiency.

To make life a little easier for the young QB, the Cardinals went out and acquired former pro bowl receivers, DeAndre Hopkins from Houston in 2020, and A.J. Green from Cincinnati earlier this year.

Going forward, the Cardinals have a favorable schedule. Of the 8 remaining games, only 2 games are against teams with a winning record. They are vs the Dallas Cowboys (6-2) and the Los Angeles Rams (7-2). It’s not a stretch to envision the Cardinals heading into the postseason with the best record in the league. That would mean home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. Of course, a significant injury could change everything in an instant.

 

BetRivers Betting Options

Meanwhile Arizona players won’t be short of options on their newest legal betting app. BetRivers offers a full slate of betting markets and wagers. Bettors will be getting access to the NHL, MLB, NBA, WNBA, NFL, NCAA college sports, NASCAR, and PGA Golf. It also provides access to top international soccer leagues and sports like tennis, motorsports, Aussie Rules Football, rugby, cricket, boxing, and MMA.

The bookmaker’s available betting options include the requisite straight bets with the point spread or on the money line, live in-game wagering, the aforementioned futures odds betting, teasers, prop bets, and multi-leg parlay.

Players should find that the website and native sports betting app are easy to use. The app is fully compatible with the iOS and Android operating systems.

There is also a BetRivers welcome bonus for new account holders. All Arizona customers over the age of 21 are eligible to receive a 100% deposit match of up to $250. It is a user-friendly offer as it only requires a 1X play-through requirement. After hitting that mark, bettors have the right to withdraw any remaining portion of their original bonus in cash.