Fanatics opens retail sportsbook with the Cleveland Guardians

Former baseball player, Paul Shuey, placed the first bet at the Progressive Field venue.

Fanatics Betting and Gaming (Fanatics) has opened a retail sportsbook location as partners of Ohio baseball team, the Cleveland Guardians. The sportsbook is located at Progressive Field, as well as available online for residents and visitors of Ohio.

Fanatics’ concrete entry into the US online sports betting market has been long awaited and, last week, the operator finally launched its mobile sportsbook in four states.

This came after Fanatics, which is quoted to be worth $30bn as a company, acquired PointsBet’s US operations for $225m.

Its new 600-square feet sportsbook is outside the Right Field District Gate at the intersection of Larry Doby Way and East 9th Street and marks a big retail move for the operator.

Two betting windows, four self-service kiosks and seven TV monitors are part of the experience.

Cleveland Guardians VP of Corporate and Premium Partnerships Ted Baugh said, “We’re very excited to partner with Fanatics Betting and Gaming to bring a retail sportsbook location, their first in Major League Baseball, outside Progressive Field in downtown Cleveland. This will provide our fans a very convenient in-person option to place bets.”

The Fanatics Sportsbook will be open on weekdays from 2:00 – 8:00PM and on weekends from 11:00AM – 9:00PM.  On game days, it will also open two hours before the first pitch and stay open until the game finishes.

Former Cleveland Guardians pitcher, Paul Shuey, placed a $20 ceremonial first bet, wagering that his alma mater, University of North Carolina, would win their opening game against University of South Carolina in September. Legal betting markets, including both professional and college sports, will be offered on baseball, football, basketball, hockey, soccer, tennis, golf, MMA and boxing.

Ari Borod, CBO of Fanatics, said, “We designed this location to complement our online sports betting app and usher in a brand-new sports betting experience, allowing customers to earn up to 5% back in FanCash on every bet.” Fans will also be able to access the retail location without purchase of a Guardians game ticket.

With Fanatics and ESPN Bet ramping up their marketing efforts, and BetMGM even expanding internationally, the competition is getting fierce within the US market.

So much so that operators like Wynn Bet are simply leaving the scene…

Stephanie Feeley

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