Ready, Set, Bet! Fanatics' Latest Venture: A Retail Sportsbook in the Heart of Columbus
Sports Enthusiasts to Launch Retail Sportsbook in Columbus by Late August
Get ready, sports fans, because Fanatics Inc. is gearing up to open another retail sportsbook, this time in partnership with the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets! Scheduled to launch at the end of August, the new Fanatics Sportsbook Columbus will be nestled right next to Nationwide Arena.
According to Ari Borod, chief business officer of Fanatics Betting and Gaming, they couldn't be more excited about partnering with the Blue Jackets to bring a top-notch retail experience to downtown Columbus. With the Jackets being one of the league's youngest teams, Fanatics aims to grow alongside them, leveraging their partnerships to enhance their online sports betting experience currently being beta-tested in Ohio.
Currently, Fanatics is in invitation-only mode, gradually launching its digital sportsbook across several states, including Ohio, Maryland sports betting, legal sports betting in Massachusetts, and Tennessee. Ohio, in particular, is one of several states that allow professional teams or sports organizations to collaborate with operators to open sportsbooks near their facilities, following the state's sports betting laws.
Fanatics isn't new to retail sportsbooks, having already set up the only sportsbook inside an NFL stadium at the Washington Commanders' FedExField in Maryland. Other sportsbooks in Ohio include those run by Caesars at the Cleveland Cavaliers' Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse and BetMGM at the Cincinnati Reds' Great American Ball Park, with the latter planning to relocate to a more frequented area in downtown Cincinnati.
The upcoming Fanatics Sportsbook in Columbus will span across 5,000 square feet, featuring four betting windows, 14 self-service betting kiosks, a large LED video wall, 20 TV monitors, and a full-service restaurant. Cameron Scholvin, the Blue Jackets' chief operating officer, is thrilled about this collaboration, believing it will offer new and exciting ways to engage with fans.
With Fanatics' rollout in Ohio and other states, it's clear that the sports betting market is growing, and local teams are capitalizing on the opportunity to deepen fan engagement. The future of sports betting in states like Ohio is looking extra exciting with more partnerships on the horizon! Stay tuned for more updates on Fanatics Sportsbook and other sports betting collaborations.
Whether you're a football enthusiast or a sports betting aficionado, the upcoming Fanatics Sportsbook Columbus offers an exciting fusion. Offering four betting windows, self-service kiosks, and a full-service restaurant, this new sportsbook is not just about sports betting, it's about line and football, along with other sports, making it a must-visit for sports fans in Columbus.
