When Charles Dickens visited Ohio in 1842, it’s fair to say that the literary superstar was not impressed by the entertainment on offer, going as far as to write of Sandusky that “lounging listlessly about bar-rooms, smoking, spitting, and lolling on the pavement in rocking chairs outside the shop doors, are the only recreations”.
Fortunately, for the good citizens of Sandusky and the rest of the Buckeye State, things have improved. Not only did entertainment arrive in the form of professional baseball as far back as the 1870s, but since the beginning of this year, sports betting has been legal and fans have been able to back their favorite teams at a host of online and retail sportsbooks.
Cleveland Guardians and bet365 have now acted to bring the relationship between Major League Baseball and sports betting in Ohio even closer by announcing a multi-year partnership.
Ted Baugh, Vice President of Corporate and Premium Partnerships for the Guardians, said: “We’re very excited to work with bet365 as our exclusive mobile sports betting partner and welcome them to the State of Ohio.
“There is a tremendous bond between our organization and bet365. With nearly 90 million customers registered worldwide, bet365 is one of the world’s leaders in online gambling and will provide our fans a trusted source to complement our organization’s success on and off the field.”
The UK-headquartered sports betting giant’s online sportsbook is already live in Ohio, but fans of last year’s AL Central champions will get a closeup look at the kind of activations they can expect from the partnership when Huntington Convention Center hosts the Guards Fest community day on January 21st. The bet365 Lounge will be open throughout the day, with exclusive bet boosts and prize giveaways available to Guards fans aged 21 and over.
“Everyone at bet365 is thrilled to partner with the Guards, as we launch the world’s favorite online sports betting brand in Ohio. The Guardians’ rich history is deep rooted in the Cleveland community, and we’re excited to become part of their exciting future,” a bet365 spokesperson said.
“We can’t wait to engage with Guards fans at Guards Fest. The Guardians are an elite franchise, with a passionate and loyal fanbase, and we’re excited to create fan-focused activations that give back to the faithful Cleveland baseball fans.”
Ohio is a third state launch for bet365, following New Jersey and Colorado, as the operator looks to expand its presence in the US. It has also announced plans to work with Churchill Downs Incorporated and Raynham Park to enter the markets in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, respectively.
