The Fanatics Betting and Gaming arm of sports apparel giant Fanatics has become the first sports wagering operator to open a retail sportsbook inside a National Football League (NFL) stadium.
Located at FedExField in Maryland, the home of NFL team the Washington Commanders, the facility also marks Fanatics’ first venture into the sports betting market, as well as its entrance into the state of Maryland, with the Commanders as its market access partner.
The 5,000sq ft venue features eight betting windows, 21 self-service betting kiosks, two LED video walls, 38 TV monitors and a full-service restaurant. Customers will be able to place bets on a wide range of major sports events at the facility.
“Our first retail location, with adjacency to the Commanders Team store, is a physical representation of what Fanatics will deliver to sports fans all over North America,” Fanatics Betting and Gaming chief business officer Ari Borod said.
“We are rolling out our platform first at retail and we will have more exciting news to share in the coming months as we bring to market new mobile technology designed to improve the betting experience for sports fans.”
Commanders team president Jason Wright added: “When our journey began over two years ago, we knew we had to reinvigorate the guest experience at FedExField and open the campus to the community.
“Today is a special moment in realizing that vision as we open this innovative sportsbook, operating seven days a week for sports fans throughout our community.”
Fanatics has made a series of major announcements in recent weeks in regard to its sports betting expansion plans in the US, with the FedExField sportsbook marking its first foray into gambling
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.
This came after Fanatics announced it would use Amelco’s source code to power its sports betting product.
Fanatics had long made its intentions to enter the world of sports betting known. The business was part of an application for a license in New York back in 2021, while last year it created a betting and gaming arm and made a number of major hires within this division.
The business has also applied for a number of licences. Besides Massachusetts, it also received a retail betting licence in Maryland and is approved in Ohio.