The Cleveland Browns have a new quarterback, and now they have a new Ohio sports betting partner.
Even though it is unlikely that sports betting in Ohio will go live by the start of the 2022 NFL season, the Browns on Tuesday announced a long-term partnership deal with Bally’s Interactive, making Bally Bet an official sports betting partner of the team.
Pending all the licensing and regulatory approvals, and sports betting becoming legal before Jan. 1, 2023, the partnership will create a branded Bally’s sports betting lounge at FirstEnergy Stadium and will allow Bally’s to launch its mobile Bally Bet Sportsbook app in Ohio, a news release said.
"In addition to their incredible resources and expertise, Bally's Interactive has the fan-first mindset that is consistent with our focus and pivotal to creating successful, fully-integrated sports betting experiences," Dave Jenkins, executive vice president and chief operator officer of the Haslam Sports Group — owner of the Browns — said in the release. "As we continue to work closely with sports betting regulators in our state to ensure a responsible and timely launch, we are excited and confident that our partnership with Bally's will ultimately offer industry-leading benefits to fans throughout Cleveland and Ohio."
The announcement comes the same week as the NFL Draft. Although the Browns don’t own a first-round pick (traded for quarterback Deshaun Watson), they still have seven picks. Check out this Browns Mock Draft 2022.
Other Aspects of the Bally’s Deal
Adi Dhandhania, chief operating officer of North America for Bally's Interactive, said the company is “excited to partner with such a historic pro football franchise to secure sports betting market access in Ohio.”
”The Browns' stadium and gameday atmosphere provide a great opportunity for us to showcase our Bally Bet Sportsbook app and Bally Play products in Ohio," Dhandhania said in the release.
In addition to wagering opportunities, the Bally’s app will offer fan engagement activations, including unique digital content and a free-to-play predictor game, which will give registered users the chance to earn Browns-themed prizes, according to the release.
Ohio Sports Betting Partnerships
There have been other partnerships announced in Ohio. Here are some of them:
- On March 16, betPARX partnered with Jack Nicklaus’ Memorial Tournament, played in Dublin, Ohio, just outside of Columbus.
- Caesars Sportsbook Ohio became an “Official Casino Partner” of the Cleveland Cavaliers on Feb. 24,, and announced plans to open a year-round sportsbook in Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.
- On Feb. 22, Rush Street Interactive entered into a partnership with Penn National Gaming, owner of Ohio’s Hollywood casinos in Dayton, Columbus, Toledo and Austintown.
- Fubo Gaming secured a deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers, announced Feb. 9, to make Fubo Sportsbook an Official Mobile Sports Betting Partner of the NBA franchise.
- In January, global sportsbook operator Tipico announced a long-term partnership agreement with the Columbus Crew, making Tipico the official and exclusive sports betting partner of the MLS franchise.
- The Cleveland Cavaliers and Betway, a United Kingdom sports betting and online gaming company, announced a new multi-year partnership in March 2021. It includes a marketing campaign to promote Betway through signs and commercials, as well as a presence on team digital and social channels, according to a news release from the NBA team.
