The Arizona Coyotes want help from lawmakers so the franchise can pack a state sports betting license into moving trucks soon departing Glendale.
Loss of the ability to take bets would be a double-hit to the hockey team owner’s wallet.
SaharaBets is a digital gambling platform that belongs to Coyotes Owner Alex Meruelo.
In mid-January, SaharaBets partnered with the Coyotes to run a sports book the team got through the state gaming compact.
The law requires venues to seat at least 10,000 people for the home team to qualify to take bets.
The problem for SaharaBets, the Coyotes and Meruelo is the Arizona State University arena, where the team is moving, will have only 5,000 seats.
An effort to lower the venue capacity requirement cleared a state Senate committee on Tuesday.
Multiple Native American tribes oppose the proposal.
