Fanatics Betting and Gaming is still in beta in Ohio but it is working towards making a land-based impact in the Buckeye State. The group announced on Tuesday that a Fanatics retail sportsbook location in the Arena District of Columbus through a partnership with the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets. The project is on schedule to open at the end of August, just in time for football season.
“The Columbus Blue Jackets are constantly seeking new and exciting ways to engage with our fans,” said Blue Jackets Sr. Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Cameron Scholvin. “We believe this collaboration with Fanatics Betting and Gaming on a world-class sportsbook location just outside the doors of Nationwide Arena in the heart of the Arena District does just that.”
The 5,000-square-foot facility will feature four betting windows as well as more than a dozen kiosks. There will also be a giant LED video wall and a bar and restaurant to encourage people to stay put and watch sports at the venue. The venue will not be in Nationwide Arena itself but rather adjacent to the arena at 401 N Front St.
BetMGM recently announced plans to relocate its retail sportsbook from within Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati to just outside the facility after the venue struggled to bring in foot traffic.
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with the Blue Jackets to bring a world-class retail experience to the arena district in downtown Columbus,” said Fanatics Betting and Gaming Chief Business Officer Ari Borod. “The Jackets are one of the youngest teams in the league, and we are excited to leverage our partnership to grow with them and complement our online sports betting experience that is currently being beta-tested in Ohio.”
The Columbus Blue Jackets are partnered with both Fanatics Betting and Gaming and Prophet Exchange for online betting in Ohio. Prophet Exchange announced the partnership back in October and predicted an H1 launch in the state, but has yet to go live.
Meanwhile, Fanatics is also working on opening a second retail facility in Ohio in tandem with the Cleveland Guardians. A second facility, Fanatics Sportsbook at Progressive Field, should be opening next month as well.
