* Please note - Our star ratings are based on our personal opinion of the gambling sites we work with. We also take customer feedback into account in our rankings.
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.
On the horizon, we have Fanatics Sportsbook, which is prepped to launch now in the Buckeye State. As of November 2022, the sports merchandising mogul obtained their sports betting license in Ohio.
Fanatics Sportsbook has yet to launch in any state, but Tennessee is primed to be the first state with Fanatics’ services in Ohio on deck.
Although we are currently in the dark about logistics regarding how the app will look and its welcome offer, we will do our best to connect the dots below.
Fanatics Sportsbook Welcome Offer
While there isn’t a set-in-stone welcome offer for Fanatics just yet, users who sign up using the link in the table below will be asked to answer a quick survey. A limited number of respondents will get an offer to beta test the Fanatics Sportsbook and get up to $150 in bonus bets!
Want to “beta-test” the Fanatics Sportsbook and get a promo deal as well? Use the above link and be one of the exclusive testers for the new app, and you’ll get a bunch of extra bonus bets as a thank-you.
What to Know About Fanatics Sportsbook
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.
There have been rumors that Fanatics wants to be in as many as 15 to 20 states by the start of 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.
As of 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 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 once they officially launch in Ohio and elsewhere.
Other Fanatics History
Expectations are sky high for the potential 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 the beta version of its app in Tennessee and is expected to launch in the Volunteer state any minute.
Tennessee will be the first state that Fanatics Sportsbook officially launches in. Additionally, Fanatics Sportsbook is expected to launch in Maryland sooner rather than later. The Maryland Lottery granted Fanatics its first-ever license to launch sports betting among other U.S. states in June 2022.
As of January 2023, Fanatics Sportsbook, a partner of the Washington Commanders, opened a retail sportsbook in FedEx Stadium. They’ve been taking bets since that time:
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 should be imminent in Maryland. While Ohio is on the cusp of a mobile launch, it has been reported that Fanatics Sportsbook is expected to launch in the Bay State, Massachusetts, in May. Massachusetts launched retail sports betting at the end of January and mobile sports betting on March 10, 2023. Massachusetts officially joins Ohio as the second state in the U.S. to launch sports betting in 2023.
Fanatics Sportsbook Mobile App
Although we don’t have any pictures now knowing what product Fanatics will roll out for its sportsbook, we have very high expectations for the merchandising franchise.
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.
Once Tennessee officially launches, we can evaluate what Fanatics Sportsbook brings for mobile and desktop customers.
Fanatics Retail Partner(s)
Fanatics Sportsbook has officially partnered with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Ohio’s professional hockey team, which grants the sportsbook market access. This partnership helps Fanatics officially break into Ohio with a mobile app, as well as a retail location at Nationwide Arena.
In addition, Fanatics Sportsbook is expected to be a retail partner of the Cleveland Guardians.
Fanatics Sportsbook Markets
Even though we do not have a mobile app to judge what markets will be available on Fanatics Sportsbook Ohio, customers can expect to find all four major American professional leagues along with other popular games and collegiate sports. Here are some of the most popular sports we expect to launch 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
Same deal as to which markets will be available on Fanatics Sportsbook – you can at least expect the hits regarding 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. We expect something similar from 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.
Fanatics has launched its beta already in the state of Ohio. Ohio bettors can complete a quick survey and gain up to $650 in bonus bets while testing out the new platform. What are you waiting for?
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]
