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Ohioans have been enjoying online sports betting across the state since the calendar rolled over to 2023, and things are poised to get a little bit better with the introduction of one of the most anticipated sports betting apps in industry history.
We now have Fanatics Sportsbook, which has launched in the Buckeye State after being in beta. In November 2022, the sports merchandising mogul obtained their sports betting license in Ohio.
Fanatics Sportsbook has launched in Ohio, Tennessee, Maryland, and Massachusetts.
Let’s take a look at how the app looks and the Fanatics Sportsbook welcome offer below.
Fanatics Sportsbook Welcome Offer
New users who sign up using the link in the table below will be able to take advantage of the Fanatics Sportsbook welcome offer: Bet $10+ on Any Market, Get $200 in Bonus Bets!
Want to use the Fanatics Sportsbook and get a promo deal as well? Use the above link and get on the new app, and you’ll get a bunch of extra bonus bets as a thank-you.
Please note, to qualify, new users must place a $1+ wager for ten consecutive days after account creation. Whether you win or lose, Fanatics will credit you with one (1) $20 bonus bet for each cash wager (up to a maximum of ten $20 bonus bets over a ten day period). If you miss a day, you will miss out on your bonus bet for that given day.
Fanatics Sportsbook wants to be a prevalent player in the sports betting industry. In 2021, they applied for a sports betting license in New York and were denied. However, they’ve since obtained licenses in Maryland, Tennessee, Massachusetts, and Ohio. Fanatics is also set to launch in Kentucky next.
There have been rumors that Fanatics wants to be in as many as 15 to 20 states during the 2023 NFL season and that should undoubtedly be a reality in Ohio.
Fanatics Brand Relevance
The biggest name tied to the Fanatics brand is former Sixers minority owner Michael Rubin.
Rubin has been the CEO of Fanatics since 2011 and was a prior 10% stake owner of Harris-Blitzer Sports Entertainment, where each entity was an owner of the Philadelphia Sixers and New Jersey Devils.
ESPN Sources: Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin has sold his 10 percent stake in Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, completing a divestment as a limited partner of the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils. David Adelman purchased a substantial share of Rubin’s stake.
In October 2022, Rubin completed the sale of his 10% stake in Harris-Blitzer because of the potential conflict of interest it would present in breaking in Fanatics as a premier sportsbook in the U.S.
Rubin can now provide his undivided attention to Fanatics and build its brand in sports betting.
Fanatics has made its name as arguably one of the most prominent names in online retailing shops in the United States.
Fanatics has formed partnerships with big-time apparel companies such as Nike and Adidas, professional teams such as the Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, and Boston Celtics, and collegiate conferences such as the ACC, Big Ten, and Big 12.
Fanatics Purchases PointsBet US
In huge news, Fanatics outbid DraftKings and bought PointsBet US for $225 million.
As such, Fanatics will soon have market access to over 15 legal states offering PointsBet Sportsbook.
Stay tuned for more!
Fanatics Able to Poach Former FanDuel CEO
Arguably the biggest splash Fanatics Sportsbook made was when they poached former FanDuel CEO Matt King, who they eventually made their CEO of Betting and Gaming.
King will help lead Fanatics into officially entering the sports betting world. Under King’s leadership, FanDuel grew as one of the biggest brands in the sports betting industry. With King on Fanatics’ side, we expect them to make plenty of noise now that they’ve launched in Ohio and elsewhere.
Other Fanatics History
Expectations are sky high for the splash Fanatics can make in the sports betting world because of its stature in other ventures they’ve made over the years.
After forming a mom-and-pop level shop in the mid-1990s in Orange Park Mall in Florida, Alan and Mitch Trager slowly grew Fanatics into a merchandising empire once the internet exploded in the early 2000s.
The company’s continued efforts to grow its internet presence significantly contributed to its current standing today. Rubin saw the opportunity and ran with it. He officially acquired Fanatics for $277 million in 2011.
Since Rubin’s acquisition, Fanatics has climbed to new heights. In 2015, they merged a partnership with the NBA, effectively allowing the company to operate the league’s retail store in New York City. A year later, Fanatics also secured a long-term agreement with the NFL to operate the league’s online fan shop.
Since then, Fanatics has struck up separate agreements with the MLB and Barnes & Noble (yes, that Barnes & Noble), among other companies and sports entities.
Other Fanatics Sportsbook State Launches
Fanatics Sportsbook has officially launched in Ohio, Tennessee, Maryland, and Massachusetts with plans to launch in Kentucky next.
The Maryland Lottery granted Fanatics its first-ever license to launch sports betting among other U.S. states in June 2022.
Fanatics Sportsbook has been taking bets since January 2023:
BREAKING: @Fanatics is making its first move in sports betting under the brand Fanatics Sportsbook.
First state? Maryland. First stop? Retail book at FedEx Field. First book inside NFL stadium.
A mobile launch has happened in Maryland. Fanatics Massachusetts is also a reality. MA launched retail sports betting at the end of January and mobile sports betting on March 10, 2023. Massachusetts officially joined Ohio as the second state in the U.S. to launch sports betting in 2023.
Fanatics Sportsbook Mobile App
We had very high expectations for the Fanatics Sportsbook Mobile App.
Plenty of big players in this crowded industry are vying for as many customers as possible. Whenever a new name like Fanatics rolls around, we can usually expect a top-tier mobile app that’s intuitive and easy to use for its customers to give itself the best chance to separate from the competition.
(Screenshot of the Fanatics Sportsbook App on the Apple App Store.)
And reviews are pretty solid thus far.
On the Apple App Store, the Fanatics Sportsbook App has a 3.6 out of 5 star rating.
Here’s some feedback from Jordan_nichole7:
“So far so good. I’ve only had the app for a day but I’m really enjoying it. Easy to navigate, accurate odds, and I even tested the withdraw process.”
On the Google Play Store, the Fanatics Sportsbook App has a 3.7 out of 5 star rating.
Matt P had this to say:
“After I finally got deposits to work the app has been a lot smoother and no force closes. They give a solid welcome offer and payouts are instant and they pay directly to a debit card which is a rarity.”
Fanatics Retail Partners
Fanatics Sportsbook has opened its in-person sportsbook right outside of Progressive Field on Aug. 18, 2023 after announcing their partnership with the Cleveland Guardians earlier this year.
Additionally, Fanatics partnered with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Ohio’s professional hockey team, which also grants the sportsbook market access. This retail location at Nationwide Arena is expected to open in September.
In January 2023, Fanatics Sportsbook opened a retail sportsbook in FedEx Stadium as a partner of the Washington Commanders.
Overall, both Ohio partnerships help Fanatics officially break into the Ohio market with retail betting locations at Progressive Field and Nationwide Arena.
Fanatics Sportsbook Markets
Customers can expect to find all four major American professional leagues along with other popular games and collegiate sports on Fanatics Sportsbook Ohio. Here are some of the most popular sports on Fanatics Sportsbook Ohio:
NFL
NBA
MLB
NHL
NCAAB
NCAAF
Boxing
Golf
MMA
Soccer
MLS
Premier League
World Cup
And much more!
Tennis
Fanatics Sportsbook Bet Types
As you would expect, Fanatics Sportsbook hits all the bet types.
As we’ve seen with other big names in the sports betting world, it pays to have as many potentially bet types as possible for users to choose from. Companies like FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetMGM have all greatly benefited from being as versatile as possible with their bet type selection. This is what you’ll see on Fanatics:
Moneyline
Point Spread
Point Total
Game Props
Player Props
Parlays
Teasers
Live Betting
Same Game Parlays
Fanatics Sportsbook Banking Options
You can expect an arsenal of banking options that are industry standard across the board. Here are some of the most common depositing and withdrawal methods we find across other sportsbook brands in the U.S.
Derek Mountain works in the Boston area as an Evergreen Content Writer for Better Collective. Derek is a recent graduate of the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA where he majored in Philosophy and played football for five years as well as walking on the basketball team his freshman year. He has a passion for all things sports and sports betting, which led him to BC. He's a diehard fan for his Philadelphia Eagles and avidly supports the Phillies, Sixers and Flyers. Twitter: @DerekMountain | Email: [email protected]
Derek Mountain works in the Boston area as an Evergreen Content Writer for Better Collective. Derek is a recent graduate of the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA where he majored in Philosophy and played football for five years as well as walking on the basketball team his freshman year. He has a passion for all things sports and sports betting, which led him to BC. He's a diehard fan for his Philadelphia Eagles and avidly supports the Phillies, Sixers and Flyers. Twitter: @DerekMountain | Email: [email protected]
