Fanatics Inc. has found another professional sports team with which to partner, and this time it is the Columbus Blue Jackets. A retail sportsbook adjacent to the home of the Blue Jackets – Nationwide Arena – will be opening soon in Columbus, Ohio.
Fanatics Scores in Columbus
Fanatics continues to make moves within the sports betting industry, with the most recent being the construction of a retail sportsbook adjacent to the Nationwide Arena, where the Columbus Blue Jackets play their home games. The sportsbook is expected to be operational at some point in August in partnership with the Jackets.
Ari Borod, the chief business officer of Fanatics Betting and Gaming, stated, “We’re thrilled to be partnering with the Blue Jackets to bring a world-class retail experience to the Arena District in downtown Columbus. The Jackets are one of the youngest teams in the league, and we are excited to leverage our partnerships to grow with them and complement our online sports betting experience that is currently being beta-tested in Ohio.”
The new sportsbook is reported to be 5,000 square feet, which will house an expansive LED video wall accompanied by 20 television monitors along with a full-service restaurant. There will be four manned betting windows as well as 14 self-betting kiosks for those patrons who prefer to do it themselves.
Cameron Scholvin, the Blue Jackets’ chief operating officer, was equally as enthused about the partnership and said, “The Columbus Blue Jackets are constantly seeking new and exciting ways to engage with our fans. 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.”
According to a Fanatics press release, the Columbus, Ohio sportsbook will be located at 401 North Front Street, with the primary entrance located “in the alleyway immediately north of the entrances to Buca di Beppo and Starbucks.”
Online Sportsbooks Teaming with Ohio Pro Teams
A second Ohio Fanatics’ retail sportsbook is also slated for late August, when the doors swing open to the betting public at Progressive Field, home of the Cleveland Guardians. Although little has been said about the specifics, the new betting venue is also anticipated to be live in late August.
Below are several other retail sports betting establishments in the Buckeye State, aside from the two Fanatics’ shops previously mentioned, that are either currently live or are planned to open in the near future:
- Cincinnati Reds (MLB): Their BetMGM retail spot will move out of Great American Ball Park to a nearby locale the team hopes will generate more business.
- Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA): Caesars Sportsbook opened a two-story sportsbook in the atrium of Rocket Mortgage Field House.
- FC Cincinnati (MLS): The team opened a satellite SuperBook Sports retail shop at Taft’s Ale House near TQL Stadium.
- Pro Football Hall of Fame Village: Announced plans for a BetRivers retail sportsbook.
