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Fanatics Nets Partnership with Columbus Blue Jackets for Ohio Underscoreg

Perry Sandra

Updated on July 26, 2023 at 4:06 PM EDT. Read time: 2 minutes and 36 seconds. Links to Twitter and Google News provided.

Adam Boqvist of the Columbus Blue Jackets is congratulated by his teammates from the bench after scoring a goal at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images via AFP.

Fanatics is moving closer to becoming a key player in the highly competitive U.S. legal sports betting industry with their recent partnership agreement with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

According to the agreements, Fanatics will be opening a retail sportsbook next to Nationwide Arena, the home of the NHL franchise. The newest retail sportsbook in Ohio is set to open at the end of August, coinciding with the beginning of the NFL season and the start of the 2023-2024 NHL campaign.

Ari Borod, chief business officer of Fanatics Betting and Gaming, expressed excitement about their new partnership with the Blue Jackets. He stated, “We are thrilled to work with the Blue Jackets to provide a top-notch retail experience in the Arena District of downtown Columbus. The Jackets are a young team in the league, and we look forward to expanding alongside them through our partnerships. This collaboration will complement our online sports betting experience currently in beta-testing in Ohio.”

Check out our review of Fanatics sportsbook to learn more about this up-and-coming sports betting provider.

The retail sportsbook

Fanatics is expanding Ohio’s legal sports betting market by opening a new 5,000 square foot retail facility in the Arena District of Columbus. This sportsbook will include 14 betting kiosks and four betting windows, adding to the nearly 20 sports betting apps already available in the state.

The retail sports betting facility will offer a restaurant and bar with a large LED video wall and 20 TV monitors to attract and entertain visitors, providing a world-class experience with cutting-edge amenities.

Cameron Scholvin, the Blue Jackets’ chief operating officer, stated that the team is always looking for innovative ways to connect with fans. He believes that partnering with Fanatics Betting and Gaming to create a top-notch sportsbook near Nationwide Arena in the Arena District accomplishes that goal.

Fanatics targets Ohio

Since the launch of their legal retail and online sports betting platform on Jan. 1, Ohio sports betting has become an attractive market. Fanatics appears to be making a savvy move by entering the relatively new Ohio market through high-profile partnerships.

In its inaugural month of legalized sports betting, Ohio quickly emerged as a top wagering destination in the country. Underscoregs in the Buckeye State raked in an impressive $1.1 billion in bets, fueled by a variety of promotions, demonstrating their potential to dominate the market in the future.

Although Ohio’s top sportsbooks have not achieved the same level of success as they did in January, their consistent monthly handles and revenues have enabled them to maintain their position in the top five legal sports betting states in the U.S.

Fanatics, in collaboration with the Cleveland Guardians, will be opening a new retail sports betting facility near Progressive Field, the home of the Guardians, in addition to the recently opened sportsbook near Nationwide Arena.

Fanatics gaining steam

Fanatics initially had a slow start in gaining traction among top sports betting apps. The provider currently has market access in only four U.S. states – Ohio, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Tennessee. However, since officially launching their sports betting product earlier this year, Fanatics has seen a significant increase in momentum.

The provider has had a particularly successful month, which is a promising sign for their aspirations to become a prominent player on the national stage.

Fanatics recently secured the rights to acquire PointsBet’s U.S. assets in a $225 million deal, in addition to their partnership with the Columbus Blue Jackets. This acquisition grants Fanatics access to markets in 14 states, including key states like New York, Colorado, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. With this move, Fanatics instantly gains a significant market share that PointsBet had established as a leading sports betting destination in the U.S.

Fanatics is the sole provider with a retail sportsbook located within an NFL stadium. The company has partnered with the Washington Commanders to offer a sports betting facility at FedEx Field in Maryland.

Written By:
Perry Sandra
Perry Sandra and betting go hand-in-hand. Both are characterized by “odds”. Dave fancies himself as one of the most dedicated sports and pop-culture junkies around, to the chagrin of his family and friends. Following sports for 50 years and writing about it for 20, Dave hasn’t found a sport yet that can’t contribute to 2-3 straight hours of couch time. That search remains ongoing. As a good old Canadian boy, hockey is in Dave’s heart, as is curling sadly. But evolution is a real thing and that’s why football, baseball, and just about every sport on the planet has become a passion. Dave isn’t afraid to kill some time obsessing over politics or the far-too-frequent awards shows the consume the airwaves.