Fanatics Betting & Gaming has expanded upon its online launch last week by opening a retail sportsbook location at the Progressive Field, home of the Cleveland Guardians.
Opened in collaboration with the Guardians, the sportsbook is around 600 square feet and has two betting windows, four self-service kiosks, and seven TV screens.
The pair celebrated the opening of the retail location as former pitcher Paul Shuey placed the ceremonial first bet. Shuey placed a $20 bet on the University of North Carolina to beat the University of South Carolina in the college football league.
“This is Fanatics Betting and Gaming’s first retail sportsbook at a Major League Ballpark,” said Ari Borod, Chief Business Officer, Fanatics Betting and Gaming.
“We designed this location to complement our online sports betting app and usher in a brand new sports betting experience with the most rewarding online sportsbook in Ohio, allowing customers to earn up to 5% back in FanCash on every bet.”
This retail launch has come shortly after Fanatics came out of its beta phase in Ohio and three other states as it aims to be a challenger brand in the US sportsbook space.
With a highly anticipated launch finally coming with a strong rewards program across the entire Fanatics portfolio of products, onlookers will be eager to see how the app performs in the Buckeye State which has quickly established itself as one of the major states for the industry.
Meanwhile, the retail sportsbook will be operated in-house by Fanatics alongside its trading suppliers. The firm also noted that those who want to visit the sportsbook do not require a match ticket to do so.
