Cleveland Guardians fans might have noticed something missing when they entered Progressive Field for the team's home opener on Tuesday, April 8.
Crain's Cleveland Business reported that the Fanatics Sportsbook on property is no longer, ceasing operations less than two years after it opened. The operator, which boasts one of the most popular Ohio online sportsbooks, was small in nature with two live betting windows, four self-service kiosks, and seven TV monitors.
During February's monthly revenue report, the sportsbook accepted just $19,018 in bets, garnering $4,489 in revenue.
Ohio, which now has 13 brick-and-mortar retail locations, legalized sports gambling in January 2023.
With closure, the Greater Cleveland area has now just three retail sportsbooks in operation: downtown JACK casino, the JACK Thistledown racino and the MGM Northfield racino. There is also one at Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course in Youngstown.
The baseball team had signed a multi-year partnership with Fanatics ahead of the sportsbook’s opening in August 2023 and will continue to partner with the company in some way, although the details are still being worked out. It will not include online gaming, however, as the Guardians also have a multiyear partnership with bet365 to serve as their exclusive mobile betting partner.
"We will continue our partnership with the Cleveland Guardians. The 600 square foot retail sportsbook in its current form lacked the amenities of our other retail sportsbooks across the country. We are committed to our customers in Cleveland, but we believe they will be better served by the Fanatics Sportsbook mobile app, which is the most rewarding online sportsbook in Ohio," said a Fanatics Sportsbook sportsperson.
The Guardians (5-6) are currently third in the American League Central Division after a 3-2 home win over the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday, April 9.
