The Fanatics Betting and Gaming arm of sports apparel giant Fanatics is strengthening its presence in Ohio with the launch of a new retail sportsbook in partnership with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The space will open in late August. It will be located outside the National Hockey League’s (NHL) ice hockey team’s 20,000-capacity Nationwide Arena home.
The premises, spanning 5,000 square feet, will feature four betting windows and 14 self-service betting kiosks. There will also be a giant LED video wall, 20 TV monitors and a full-service restaurant on site.
The facility will show a range of live sports. The viewing line-up will include American football, basketball, ice hockey, baseball, tennis, football, golf, mixed martial arts and boxing.
Expanding presence
Fanatics secured a license to operate online sports betting from the Ohio Casino Control Commission in November. The state’s newly regulated sports betting market opened for business in January.
The Fanatics sportsbook is continuing its online beta testing with Fanatics customers in Ohio. The sportsbook app is available for download on iOS and Android.
Ari Borod, chief business officer at Fanatics Betting and Gaming, said the new venue will offer a “world-class retail experience”.
“The Jackets are one of the youngest teams in the league, and we are excited to leverage our partnership to grow with them and complement our online sports betting experience that is currently being beta-tested in Ohio,” he said.
Blue Jackets’ senior vice-president and chief operating officer Cameron Scholvin said the franchise is “constantly seeking new and exciting ways to engage with our fans.”
Partnership
A partnership in principle was reportedly struck by Fanatics and the Blue Jackets covering online and retail sports betting before this year.
Major League Baseball’s Cleveland Guardians franchise also has a retail sports betting partnership with Fanatics.
In January, Fanatics became the first sports betting operator to open a retail sportsbook inside an NFL American football stadium. The facility is located at FedExField in Maryland, the home of the Washington Commanders.