Fanatics’ betting and gaming division has joined the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) just days after its launch.
Fanatics Betting and Gaming, the online and retail sports betting division of the sports merchandise group, opened for business at the Washington Commanders’ FedExField last week and in doing so became the first retail sportsbook to open inside an National Football League (NFL) venue.
After its Maryland launch, Fanatics has plans to open in numerous US states during the coming year. It will initially focus on rolling out its sports betting platform via retail, with mobile to follow later in 2023.
Fanatics joins over 45 companies and 125 leading sports betting brands in IBIA, and adds to the integrity monitor’s presence in North America.
IBIA North American presence
“Partnering with the International Betting Integrity Association is an important step in providing our customers with a secure trading environment as we begin to roll out our sports betting platform in 2023,” said Andrew Wright, senior vice-president of trading at Fanatics Betting and Gaming.
“IBIA is an important international institution that monitors the global betting markets of their regulated members providing much needed analysis and monitoring of potential betting irregularities.”
Khalid Ali, chief executive of the body, said: “IBIA is delighted to welcome a major globally recognized brand into our association. Fanatics Betting and Gaming’s decision to join IBIA is a major boost for the association in North America and follows an increasing number of US-based businesses becoming members of IBIA.
“The company will be integrated into IBIA’s global betting integrity network, which consists of many of the world’s largest regulated sports betting operators. Fanatics Sportsbook’s decision to join IBIA demonstrates its desire to utilize the best integrity protection available globally for its sports betting product.”
Earlier this month, Fanatics was granted a sports betting license in Massachusetts, while the business named Sam Downey, formerly of Flutter Entertainment-owned Sky Betting and Gaming, as its vice president for online casino.